PhD (f/m/d) for the Investigation of Electrocatalyst Materials for Green Hydrogen Production Usin...

Work group:

Interface Design

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Job description:

Reference No. SE 2026/15

The Department Interface Design is looking for

PhD (f/m/d) for the Investigation of Electrocatalyst Materials for Green Hydrogen Production Using Synchrotron-Based X-Ray Spectroscopies

Your Tasks

• You study the chemical and electronic structure of electrocatalysts with X-ray spectroscopic techniques.
• You plan and conduct experiments - in labs and at synchrotron radiation sources.
• You efficiently communicate and cooperate with other researchers within ASCEND and the HZB to jointly work on project tasks to reach milestones.
• You take on research and project management tasks.
• You curate data and prepare reports, presentations, and publications.
• You support the further development of spectroscopic methods for the characterization of catalysts for the production of green fuel.

Your Profile

• Completed master’s degree in physics, chemistry, materials science or equivalent degree
• Expert in electrocatalysis
• Demonstrated experience in research with electrochemical techniques
• Knowledge of X-ray spectroscopies, operating ultra-high vacuum equipment is of advantage
• Some lab experience in the synthesis of nanomaterials is of advantage
• Experience (or manifest interest) in data fitting as well as programming in Python
• Intercultural competence and excellent communication skills
• Excellent proficiency in English (C1-level), while some German knowledge would be appreciated

We kindly ask you to enclose the following documents with your application:

• Motivation letter, including your research interests and a statement why you think you are the perfect fit for this position (max. 1 page)
• Experiment proposal to address one pressing question in the field of electrocatalysis for green hydrogen production with operando X-ray spectroscopy (max. 1 page)
• Curriculum vitae with the stages of your career, publications, research experience and the contact details of at least two scientific references
• Certificates and grades

Further Information

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marcus Bär

+49 (030) 8062 - 15641

[email protected]

Closing Date: 28.10.2026

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.

Company

The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.

The profile of the Helmholtz Association

The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.

Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.

Promoting young academics

Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.

The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group , for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.

Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .

The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.

All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.

Company info

Telephone

0049-30-206329-0

Location

Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany