PhD Position – Ionic liquids as electrolytes in zinc batteries

Work group:

IEK-14 – Elektrochemische Verfahrenstechnik

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Job description:

Your Job:

The use of zinc as an alternative to lithium as an electrode material in accumulators offers a wide range of advantages, from a reduction in costs to better environmental compatibility and increased operational reliability. Such zinc-ion batteries are promising candidates for future stationary energy storage systems for grid stabilization. In collaboration with our Korean partner institutes, this project will investigate systems of zinc salts and ionic liquids as solvents for potential use as electrolytes in zinc-based batteries. Specifically, your tasks include:

• Electrochemical characterization of electrolyte systems of zinc salts and ionic liquids.
• Analysis of the influence of water content on electrode reactions and ionic conduction processes
• Detailed evaluation and processing of the measured data
• Atomistic simulation of the structure of ionic liquids
• Coordination of the cooperation with the Korean partner institutions

Your Profile:

• Completed master`s degree in physics, chemistry, or a comparable field of study.
• Basic knowledge of electrochemistry
• Good programming skills, ideally in Python
• Practical skills and interest in laboratory work
• High degree of independence, motivation and reliability
• Strong ability to work in a team as well as the ability to work cooperatively
• Fluent English language skills, both written and spoken

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• An interesting and socially relevant topic for your thesis with a future-oriented theme
• Interdisciplinary collaboration on projects in an international, dedicated and collegial team
• Excellent scientific equipment and the latest technology
• Qualified supervision by scientific colleagues
• Independent preparation and execution of assigned tasks
• Support opportunities to reconcile work and family life
• The possibility to work successfully in home office
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

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.

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.