Postdoc (m/f/d) for Reactor Design for Energy-Efficient CO? Capture by Electric Swing Adsorption at HIPOLE Jena

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB); Berlin; On-site; EUR 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days paid leave

Flexitime and hybrid working

Subsidy for Deutschlandticket/Jobicket

Job summary

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH (HZB) invites applications for a Postdoc (m/f/d) at the Jena site to contribute to the E-CO-Swing project, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions through electric swing adsorption and to develop non-corrosive, thermally stable carbon materials for energy‑efficient reactors.

The role covers chemical synthesis and characterization of carbon materials, reactor design and scale‑up work, collaboration with partners, and dissemination at conferences

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, materials science, or related field with focus on porous carbon materials and gas separation.
• Experience in polymer synthesis and material characterization is preferred.
• Experience with carbon materials characterization (XPS, Raman, SEM) and adsorption techniques.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize carbon materials and carbon–polymer composites from biogenic feedstocks or other sustainable sources.
• Characterize materials using techniques like gas physisorption, CO2/N2 adsorption, conductivity, and relate to ESA.
• Develop and optimize an experimental setup, including a reactor cell, for ESA.
• Conduct lab-scale experiments to derive material properties and design criteria for the reactor.
• Scale-up synthesis to kilogram scale.
• Present findings at seminars and conferences; publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate with project partners through status meetings.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Characterization of carbon materials

XPS

Raman spectroscopy

SEM

Reactor design

Gas handling systems

CAD software

English language

German language (basic)

Education

PhD in chemistry or materials science

Tools

CAD software

Gas adsorption instrumentation

XPS instrument

Raman spectrometer

SEM

Job description

Postdoc (m/f/d) for Reactor Design for Energy-Efficient CO₂ Capture by Electric Swing Adsorption at HIPOLE Jena

Reference no.: HI 2026/12

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 site in Jena, Germany. You have the opportunity to contribute your ideas and expertise to a still young research institute and will collaborate with researchers from all over the world to help shape a climate-friendly future. The objective of the E-CO-Swing project is to reduce unavoidable CO₂ emissions, such as those from cement production and waste-to-energy plants, through electric swing adsorption (ESA). To achieve this, materials development and reactor design are being pursued in parallel to develop non-corrosive, thermally stable carbon-based materials with high CO₂ adsorption capacity that can be operated in controllable and energy-efficient reactors. A particular focus is placed on the use of biogenic carbon precursors and active polymers to enable a closed-loop raw materials cycle in the medium term. The project is carried out in close collaboration with the Schwarza Waste-to-Energy Plant (ger.: Thermische Verwertungsanlage Schwarza, TVS) and several experienced and specialized industrial partners.

• Synthesis of carbon materials and carbon–polymer composites, preferably derived from biogenic feedstocks or other sustainable carbon sources
• Characterization of the synthesized materials using, among other techniques, gas physisorption measurements and determination of process-relevant parameters, including CO₂ and N₂ adsorption capacities and selectivities under varying humidity conditions, and the electrical conductivity, as well as investigation of their influence on the electric swing adsorption (ESA) process
• Independent development and optimization of an experimental setup, including a cell, to assess the suitability of the produced materials for electrical swing adsorption considering different adsorber geometries
• Conducting laboratory-scale experiments with the adsorbent materials to derive material properties, process parameters, and design criteria for the laboratory-scale reactor
• Scale-up of the synthesis process to the kilogram scale
• Presentation of research findings at seminars, project meetings, and conferences, and publication of the results in peer-reviewed journals
• Close collaboration and coordination with the participating project partners through regular status meetings

Your Profile

• Completed PhD in chemistry, materials science, or a related discipline, with a focus on the chemistry of porous (carbon) materials and gas separation
• Relevant experience in polymer synthesis and characterization is an asset
• Demonstrated expertise in the characterization of carbon materials (e.g., XPS, Raman spectroscopy, SEM) and adsorption techniques
• Strong technical aptitude and hands-on experience in the design and construction of laboratory-scale reactors, as well as a solid understanding of gas handling systems, associated components, and control electronics
• Proficiency in the use of CAD software and the ability to communicate effectively with scientific and technical workshops necessary
• Excellent written and spoken English skills
• Basic knowledge of German

Your Benefits at HZB

• Contribution to a collaborative research project involving renowned academic institutions and industrial partners in Germany
• International/diversity-sensitive working environment at a Helmholtz Institute
• 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)

Fixed term contract for 24 months. 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 with different 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.