Postdoc – Water and Magnetic Dynamics at Nanostructured Interfaces - QENS and INS

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Deutschland; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Vacation days

Flexible working hours

Professional development

Health & wellbeing program

TVöD-Bund pay scale

International advisory service

Career center

Job summary

Forschungszentrum Jülich invites applications for a Postdoc – Water and Magnetic Dynamics at Nanostructured Interfaces, focusing on QENS and INS studies of diffusion dynamics on metal oxide surfaces. The role includes experimental work, data analysis, and collaboration within the JCNS-3 energy materials program.

Ideal candidates hold a Master and PhD in physics, chemistry or materials science with strong neutron spectroscopy experience and proficiency in English.

Qualifications

• Master degree and PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science or related disciplines.
• Experience in neutron spectroscopy, e.g. QENS, INS, NSE.
• Good knowledge of the structural characterization of matter with e.g. powder diffraction.
• Experience with wet chemical synthesis, e.g. nanoparticles.

Responsibilities

• QENS and INS experiments to investigate the diffusion dynamics of water and ligand molecules on metal oxide nanoparticle surfaces, accompanied by complementary experimental techniques or theoretical simulations.
• Extending neutron spectroscopy studies to energy materials.
• Characterization of the magnetic modes in iron oxide nanoparticles using neutron spectroscopy.
• Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of iron and other metal oxide nanoparticles and / or energy materials.
• Participation in experiments as well as design and construction of instruments and/or sample environments with practical work at neutron sources.
• Supervision of students.
• Presentation of research results at conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Establishment of cooperation projects with other institutes at Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Skills

Experience in neutron spectroscopy (Q¿

Education

Master degree and PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or related disciplines

Tools

Python

Job description

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 31 Jan 2027 - 16:37 (UTC) Country Germany Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description:Postdoc – Water and Magnetic Dynamics at Nanostructured Interfaces - QENS and INS

Understanding the fundamental physicochemical properties of energy materials is crucial to a sustainable design of our environment. At the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science - Neutron Analytics for Energy Research (JCNS-3), we aim to address the dynamic, structural and electronic properties of energy materials and nanostructured interfaces employing neutron spectroscopy. Examples of our research interests covered through this position are i) the diffusion dynamics of water and small ligand molecules on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles as relevant for biomedical application, ii) distinction of coexisting magnetic excitations in iron oxide nanoparticle as observed via QENS and INS, and iii) the binding states and diffusion of adsorbate molecules on catalyst surfaces.

Your Job

• QENS and INS experiments to investigate the diffusion dynamics of water and ligand molecules on metal oxide nanoparticle surfaces, accompanied by complementary experimental techniques or theoretical simulations
• Extending neutron spectroscopy studies to energy materials
• Characterization of the magnetic modes in iron oxide nanoparticles using neutron spectroscopy
• Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of iron and other metal oxide nanoparticles and / or energy materials
• Participation in experiments as well as design and construction of instruments and/or sample environments with practical work at neutron sources
• Supervision of students
• Presentation of research results at conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Establishment of cooperation projects with other institutes at Forschungszentrum Jülich

Your Profile

Required qualifications and skills:

• Master degree and PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science or related disciplines
• Experience in neutron spectroscopy, e.g. QENS, INS, NSE
• Good knowledge of the structural characterization of matter with e.g. powder diffraction
• Experience with wet chemical synthesis, e.g. nanoparticles

A distinct advantage would be:

• Experience with high-level programming languages, e.g. Python
• Knowledge in magnetism and nanostructured interfaces
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR

)

• The ability to work independently, along with a highly motivated and creative approach to research
• Demonstrated teamwork, cooperation and communication skills
• Previous supervision of graduate students, as well as laboratory or instrument responsibilities

Our Benefits for You

• Work-life balance: Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly company policy. The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Vacation: You will receive 30 days of vacation plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year's)
• Flexibility: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time

, allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs

• Knowledge & further training: Your professional development is important to us – we provide targeted, individual support
• Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive occupational health management program with a wide range of offerings - e.g., a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes, and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counseling team are available to assist you on site
• Fair remuneration: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on theBMI website

. The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 74 of the PDF download

• Additional benefits: Benefit from attractive additional services such as a company pension scheme with employer contribution. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits
• Perspective: After a 2-year fixed-term contract, our goal is to hire you on a permanent basis. Let's use this time to find out how well we fit together
• Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
• Career Center: You will receive explicit support with regard to your career development opportunities

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more:

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities:

Start Date: as soon as possible

Application Deadline: The position will be advertised until it is successfully filled.

Index number: 2026T-0854

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.