Research Group Leader/Head of Electron Microscopy Group

IKZ - Leibniz Institute for Crystal Growth

Berlin, Germany

We are seeking an experienced scientist to lead and further develop the Electron Microscopy Group at IKZ, with a strong scientific focus on analytical TEM/STEM, electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS/EDX). An important requirement of the successful applicant are excellent communication skills; strong interaction with IKZ crystal growth departments to enable internationally leading science & technology developments for electronics & photonics is in the focus of the Electron Microscopy Group.

Main responsibilities

• Scientific leadership and strategic development of the Electron Microscopy Group;
• Development and application of advanced EELS and EDS/EDX spectroscopy;
• Investigation of structure–property relationships, interfaces, defects and phase formation in crystalline materials;
• Development of high-energy-resolution, low-loss and momentum-resolved EELS, including studies of electronic excitations, excitons and plasmons;
• Combination of analytical microscopy with in-situ and operando TEM approaches;
• Quantitative analysis of multidimensional microscopy and spectroscopy datasets;
• Supervision of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers;
• Acquisition of national and European third-party funding and development of academic and industrial collaborations.

Requirements

• PhD in physics, materials science, chemistry or a related field;
• Excellent expertise in TEM/STEM and analytical electron microscopy;
• Strong experience in EELS, ideally including low-loss and/or high-energy-resolution spectroscopy, complemented by EDS/EDX;
• Strong background in solid-state or materials physics and electron–matter interactions;
• Experience in quantitative spectroscopy and advanced microscopy data analysis;
• Demonstrated ability to develop independent research directions, supervise researchers and establish collaborations;
• Experience in acquiring competitive research funding.

Experience in momentum-resolved EELS, exciton/plasmon spectroscopy, in-situ TEM, semiconductor heterostructures, two-dimensional materials or advanced spectral data analysis would be particularly welcome.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the future direction of analytical electron microscopy at IKZ and to exploit the unique combination of state-of-the-art spectroscopy, in-situ microscopy and crystal-growth expertise available through IKZ, JEMA and ALISE.