Postdoc (m/f/d) for Polymer and Colloid Characterization at HIPOLE Jena

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB); Berlin; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days paid leave

Health management

Company pension scheme (VBL)

Subsidy for Deutschlandticket/Jobicket

Flexible working time models: FlexTime

Job summary

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) invites applications for a Postdoc (m/f/d) to join HIPOLE Jena, focusing on polymer and colloid characterization to support energy storage research. The role offers collaboration with researchers worldwide and development of advanced characterization methods for polymers in energy applications.

The candidate will contribute to the advancement of battery-related polymer science, supervise student theses, and publish results in English, with opportunities to build an

Qualifications

• Master's degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, or a related field, and a PhD in macromolecular chemistry or related area.
• Excellent understanding of fundamental physical principles and their practical application.
• Very good English skills, written and spoken, with experience presenting scientific content in English.
• Very good publication record and, ideally, experience securing external funding.

Responsibilities

• Structural investigation of polymeric materials using hydrodynamic methods.
• Development of new characterization methods with unique instruments (analytical ultracentrifugation, fractionation, light scattering).
• Establishment of synchrotron-based characterization of polymeric and colloidal systems with HZB scientists and engineers.
• Characterization of novel materials for energy storage systems using hydrodynamic and light scattering methods.
• Supervision of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD theses.

Skills

English proficiency

Publication record

Programming affinity

Education

Master's degree in chemistry/physics/materials science or related field

PhD in macromolecular chemistry/physical chemistry of polymers/engineer­ing or related fields

Job description

Postdoc (m/f/d) for Polymer and Colloid Characterization at HIPOLE Jena

Reference no.: HI 2026/4

Achieving climate-neutrality within the next 20 years necessitates an innovation boost for the development of highly efficient, scalable, low-cost, and sustainably produced energy technologies. Polymer materials play a central role in this process. Energy storage and conversion materials, particularly sustainable batteries, play a central role in this context.
We are looking for a Postdoc (m/f/d) for our location in Jena. You will have the opportunity to support a young institute with your ideas and expertise and will collaborate with researchers from around the world to contribute to the development of a climate-friendly future. The research focus lies in supporting battery research with conceptual approaches to the characterization of polymeric materials as a bridge between material synthesis and energy applications, with the following aspects playing a role:

• Structural investigation of polymeric materials, including usage of hydrodynamic methods
• Fundamental development of new characterization methods, including the use of globally unique instruments for analytical ultracentrifugation, fractionation, and light scattering
• Establishment of synchrotron-based characterization of polymeric and colloidal systems in collaboration with scientists and engineers at HZB
• Characterization of novel materials for use in energy storage systems (e.g., redox flow batteries) using hydrodynamic and light scattering methods
• Building fundamental expertise in energy research and assisting with the supervision of degree theses (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
• Conceptual development of characterization methods in solution, particularly with regard to the institute’s needs
• Summary, presentation and publication of the results in English
• Active development of your academic profile and expertise in an exciting new field of work and research

Your Profile

• Successful Master's degree inchemistry, physics, materials science, or a related field, as well as a Ph.D. in macromolecular chemistry, physical chemsitry of polymers, engineering, or related fields
• Excellent understanding of fundamental physical principles and their practical application
• Knowledge of polymer chemistry/polymer physics is an advantage
• Basic knowledge of analytical techniques and methods
• In addition to general computer skills, including Windows and Office, an affinity for programming and the use of advanced software is a plus
• Very good written and spoken English skills including experience in presenting scientific content in English
• Very good publication recordand, ideally, experience in securing external funding

• Successful Master's degree inchemistry, physics, materials science, or a related field, as well as a Ph.D. in macromolecular chemistry, physical chemsitry of polymers, engineering, or related fields
• Excellent understanding of fundamental physical principles and their practical application
• Knowledge of polymer chemistry/polymer physics is an advantage
• Basic knowledge of analytical techniques and methods
• In addition to general computer skills, including Windows and Office, an affinity for programming and the use of advanced software is a plus
• Very good written and spoken English skills including experience in presenting scientific content in English
• Very good publication recordand, ideally, experience in securing external funding

You demonstrate a high level of commitment, initiative, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to familiarize yourself with diverse areas of responsibility. You are characterized by your teamwork skills, reliability, independence, and communication abilities (including proficiency in English).

Your Benefits at HZB

• International/diversity-sensitive working environment at a Helmholtz Institutein the science city of Jena
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of novel materials and technological solutions for a climate-neutral future together with top international researchers
• Career-enhancing networking opportunities and individual support and assistance programmes
• Good work-life balance through counselling services on family and career and flexible working time models: Flexitime, part-time, hybrid working
• 30 days paid leave
• Health management, company pension scheme (VBL), subsidy for the Deutschlandticket/Jobticket
• Payment in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund)

The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).

We very much want our workplace to be diverse, and welcome applications from people withdifferent backgrounds. It is our mission to promote equal opportunities and to improve women’s representation in the workforce.We are therefore very interested in receiving applications from women.Where the qualifications are met, we will give preference to people with disabilities.

At the newly founded Helmholtz Institute for Polymers in Energy Applications Jena (HIPOLE) in Jena HZB and Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU Jena)/Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena (CEEC Jena)join forces in the field of energy storage and conversion.Join us and help us achieve our goal!Find out more on our website or the website of the HZB .

Climate change poses serious challenges to the whole world.At Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), we are researching materials for a climate-neutral future.1,400 employees from all over the world work together to achieve this goal at the site in Berlin.