Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 179/2024
Closing date: 2024-08-31

Friedrich Schiller University is a traditional university with a strong research profile rooted in the heart of Germany. As a university covering all disciplines, it offers a wide range of subjects. Its research is focused on the areas Light—Life—Liberty. It is closely networked with non-research institutions, research companies and renowned cultural institutions. With around 17.000 students and more than 10.000 employees, the university plays a major role in shaping Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan and future-oriented city.

At the Institute for Technical Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry/Chair for Chemistry of Materials for Energy Applications (Prof. Martin Oschatz), we seek to fill the position of a

Scientific Researcher Materials Chemistry/Hydrogen storage

commencing at the earliest opportunity.

We offer a part-time position (65%, 26 hours per week), offered as a fixed-term position until 28.02.2027.
The Research Group of Prof. Martin Oschatz (Chair for Chemistry of Materials for Energy Applications) is mainly concerned with the synthesis and characterization of functional and nanostructured materials based on carbonaceous building blocks. Our main goal is to shed light on fundamental mechanisms in the fields of electrochemical energy storage or different adsorption phenomena.

In addition to battery-driven energy storage solutions, also hydrogen is considered as a major driver to decarbonize fossil-based industries such as the steel or concrete production to mention just two prominent examples. Several questions arise when hydrogen is beeing discussed as perspective energy storage medium. In addition to the production of hydrogen, also the transport of the low density gas is currently a major concern. This project is dedicated to the development of a storage solution for hydrogen especially designed for mobile applications, where compact and small tanks are highly required. Based on tailored carbon materials, hydrogen storage in wetted porous carbon materials is investigated with a plethora of state-of-the-art characterization tools. In addition to novel materials synthesis, especially the adsorptive properties of different carbons are investigated by means of high-pressure adsorption, thus linking this fundamental work to industrially relevant conditions. This is a highly collaborative project and will motivate you to work with experts in the field of in-situ crystallography as well as theory and engineering.

Your responsibilities:

• Syntheses of a variety of novel carbonaceous materials including advanced materials design
• Material characterization (gas physisorption methods, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS))
• Application of synthesized porous materials in the adsorptive (high-pressure) storage of hydrogen
• Investigation of the underlying adsorption mechanisms in collaboration with experts from theory and in situ diffraction methods
• Supervision of B. Sc/M. Sc. Theses and lab courses for undergraduate and graduate students
• Share your work with the research community through a variety of outlets
• Work on an own scientific qualification project, e.g. doctorate

Your profile:

• A master’s degree in chemistry, materials science, or nanoscience
• Solid knowledge of materials synthesis and characterization
• Basic knowledge of adsorptive characterization methods
• Practical skills and fun in establishing new experiments or getting familiar with new techniques and devices
• social skills and the willingness to integrate into an open-minded group
• excellent written and oral communications skills in English

We offer:

• A dynamic and highly interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of materials chemistry, inorganic and technical chemistry
• Excellent equipment and infrastructure, including hands-on access to state-of-the-art adsoption equipment as well as external research facilities
• University health promotion and a wide range of university sports activities
• A family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families: University Family Office ‘JUni Familie’ and flexible childcare (‘JUni Kinder);
• Attractive fringe benefits, e.g. capital formation benefits (VL) an occupational pension (VBL)
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at salary scale E13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

The advertised position is initially offered as a fixed-term position until 28.02.2027. This is a part-time position with 65% of the working hours of a full-time employee (26 hours per week).

In case you need any additional information or have any questions regarding the position, please visit or contact Martin Oschatz ().

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work with us? Then apply by 31.08.2024 using our online form:

For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to