Group Leader: Autonomous Energy Materials & SDLs

DIFFER; Eindhoven; On-site; EUR 75,921 - 101,533; Full time

Job summary

DIFFER in Eindhoven seeks a Group Leader Materials Generation for Energy Self-Driving Labs to found and lead a new research group at the frontier of autonomous experimentation and SDLs. We aim to develop autonomous materials generation for energy SDLs, enabling rapid discovery and scalable, test-ready libraries.

The successful candidate will drive the program, translate scientific questions into robust, AI-friendly workflows, and secure external funding while mentoring researchers across

Qualifications

• PhD in experimental materials science or related field with energy focus.
• Track record of external funding or clear trajectory toward it.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary projects and SDL development.
• Ability to translate scientific goals into robust autonomous workflows.
• Experience with high-throughput materials generation and AI-guided design.

Responsibilities

• Found and lead a research group in autonomous materials generation for energy SDLs.
• Develop high-throughput, autonomous strategies for energy-material libraries.
• Define experimental decision logic for self-driving workflows.
• Ensure traceability, data provenance, and safety in autonomous experiments.
• Lead collaborations with AI, data science, and SDL teams.
• Secure external funding and mentor researchers.
• Publish high-impact work and advocate FAIR practices.

Skills

Autonomous materials generation

High-throughput workflows

Leadership & funding

Experimental depth

SDL-oriented vision

Collaborative mindset

Education

PhD in materials/chemistry/engineering

Tools

Nanoparticle printing

Thin-film deposition

Robotic synthesis

Automated wet chemistry

Job description

DIFFER in Eindhoven seeks a Group Leader Materials Generation for Energy Self-Driving Labs to found and lead a new research group at the frontier of autonomous experimentation and SDLs. We aim to develop autonomous materials generation for energy SDLs, enabling rapid discovery and scalable, test-ready libraries.

The successful candidate will drive the program, translate scientific questions into robust, AI-friendly workflows, and secure external funding while mentoring researchers across