Postdoc - automated screening of electrolyte additives for aqueous batteries

Hereon; Geesthacht; Remote; EUR 52.000 - 65.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Lab facilities for automated research

International research network

Conference funding and training

Flexible work options with strong work

Six weeks holiday per year

Public service pay scale EG 13

Zusammenfassung

Helmholtz‑Zentrum Hereon in Geesthacht seeks a Postdoc to advance automated screening of electrolyte additives for aqueous batteries. The role focuses on building an integrated high-throughput workflow, performing automated experiments, and applying machine-learning–assisted analysis to generate reproducible data for safe, cost-effective energy storage.

The candidate will contribute to experimental design, data-driven workflows, and collaboration with industrial partners, aiming to publish in

Qualifikationen

• Strong background in electrochemistry and aqueous battery technologies.
• Hands-on laboratory experience and interest in experimental research.
• Experience with electrochemical measurements and data analysis.
• Interest in automated experimentation and data-driven materials research.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
• Knowledge of EIS, CV, hydrogen evolution, and electrode degradation.
• Very good English language skills (B2/C1 CEFR).

Aufgaben

• Develop and optimize automated high-throughput workflows for preparation and electrochemical screening of aqueous electrolyte formulations.
• Systematically screen electrolyte additives and generate datasets linking composition to performance.
• Perform electrochemical characterization using galvanostatic cycling, CV, and EIS.
• Analyze large datasets and contribute to ML and QSAR model development.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences; write project reports.
• Collaborate with researchers, data scientists, and industry partners on synthesis, modelling and scale-up.

Kenntnisse

Electrochemistry

Data analysis

Automated experimentation

Independent work

English proficiency B2/C1

Ausbildung

PhD in Materials science / Electrochemistry / Chemical Engineering / Energy Engineering

Tools

EIS

Cyclic voltammetry

Galvanostatic cycling

Jobbeschreibung

Postdoc - automated screening of electrolyte additives for aqueous batteries

Job ID: 1078

Location: Geesthacht

Application deadline: 11/26/2026

The postdoctoral candidate will work within an international research project focused on improving the performance and long-term stability of aqueous batteries through the development of advanced electrolyte additives.

The central objective of the project is to establish an integrated high-throughput workflow combining robotic electrolyte preparation, automated electrochemical testing, and machine-learning-assisted analysis.

The work involves extensive experimental laboratory activities, automated testing, electrochemical characterization, data analysis, and close cooperation with industrial project partners. The candidate will contribute to the development of reproducible and data-driven battery research workflows for sustainable, safe, and cost-effective stationary energy-storage technologies.

The position is full-time (39 h/week) and fixed-term for 18 months, starting in February 2027.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.

Your tasks

• Develop and optimize automated high-throughput workflows for the preparation and electrochemical screening of aqueous electrolyte formulations.
• Systematically screen a broad range of electrolyte additives and generate high-quality datasets linking electrolyte composition to battery performance.
• Perform electrochemical characterization using techniques such as galvanostatic cycling, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Analyze large experimental datasets and contribute to the development and validation of machine-learning and quantitative structure-property relationship models.
• Publish your results in leading peer-reviewed journals and present them at international conferences, write project reports.
• Collaborate closely with researchers, data scientists, and industrial partners working on electrolyte synthesis, battery development, modelling, and scale-up.

Your profile

Recruitment requirement

• A PhD in the subject areas of Materials science, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or similar.

Required knowledge and personal skills

• Strong background in electrochemistry and aqueous battery technologies.
• Hands-on laboratory experience and interest in experimental research.
• Experience with electrochemical measurements and data analysis.
• Interest in automated experimentation and data-driven materials research.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
• Knowledge of techniques such as EIS, cyclic voltammetry, hydrogen evolution, and electrode degradation.
• Very good English language skills (at least B2/C1 level according to CEFR).

Desired knowledge and personal skills

• Experience with aqueous batteries, metal-anode batteries, or electrolyte development.
• Experience with materials characterization techniques, such as microscopy, X-ray methods.
• Experience with automated experimentation, robotics, data science, or machine learning is advantageous.

Reach out with your CV and motivation letter expressing your interest and experience in the proposed topic. Got questions before applying? Contact Prof. Zheludkevich ([e-mail]), Dr. Lamaka ([e-mail]) or Dr. Snihirova ([e-mail]).

Our offer

• Access to state-of-the-art (robotic) labs, unique scientific and technical infrastructure
• Access to a large international research and industrial network.
• Funding for conferences, summer schools and courses needed or research stays
• An exciting job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• International Welcome Office with guest accommodation
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to EG 13 (according toEntgO Bund)
• Very good work-life balance; options for mobile and flexible work
• A green campus on the Elbe River, well-connected with Hamburg (public transport), subsidy for the Deutschlandticket if certain conditions are met (job ticket), charging facilities for electric vehicles
• Family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e.g. nursery/kindergarten close to the company
• Operational Health Management, e.g. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Corporate Benefits

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

Interested? We are looking forward to receiving your application.

Information at a Glance

Helmholtz‑Zentrum Hereon

The Helmholtz‑Zentrum Hereon conducts cutting-edge international research for a changing world: Around 1,000 employees contribute to the tackling of climate change, the sustainable use of the world's coastal systems and the resource-compatible enhancement of the quality of life. From fundamental research to practical applications, the interdisciplinary research spectrum covers a unique range.

Institute of Surface Science

The Institute of Surface Science specializes in the development of corrosion protection concepts and functional coatings that meet the requirements of future applications from the fields of structural lightweight construction, energy research and medical technology. The experimental development is closely accompanied by modelling approaches and artificial intelligence methods.

Max-Planck‑Straße 1
21502 Geesthacht
www.hereon.de