Research Associate (f/m/d) - catalaix-Junior Principal Investigator in WSS Research Centre catalaix - polymer design, polymer synthesis and characterization using renewable or circular raw materials

Weitere Informationen

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of 4 years.
There is an option to extend the position by 1 year.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a full-time position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 14 TV-L.

Unser Profil

The WSS Research Centre catalaix aims to transform the chemical industry into a multidimensional circular economy with a focus on plastic materials.
In an interdisciplinary approach with a focus on catalysis, methods are being developed to transform established linear value chains into circular recycling technologies.

We aim to strengthen the catalaix team by creating a catalaix-Junior Principal Investigator (JPI) position in the field of polymer design, polymer synthesis and characterization using renewable or circular raw materials.
Our goal is to support young researchers on their path to an academic career. To this end, we offer postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to establish their research group.

The funding amounts to up to 1.5 million euros over a period of up to five years, with an evaluation after four years.

The catalaix-JPI will be embedded in the chemistry department of RWTH Aachen University. Close collaboration within the catalaix team and especially with the catalaix groups of the Chemistry Department is expected. Laboratory and office facilities and access to relevant infrastructures will be made available. The envisioned catalaix-JPI is expected to greatly benefit from the comprehensive expertise of the catalaix consortium, their guidance while establishing themself as an independent young researcher with perspective to a future professorship.

Ihr Profil

The successful applicant has demonstrated excellence in research through a university degree (master's or equivalent) and a doctoral degree in a related field (e.g., chemistry, chemical engineering, polymer science, materials science, mechanical engineering with focus on material technology). A competitive track record of scientific publications is expected. Post-doctoral experience is desired, but not required. Willingness and ability to lead a group and cooperate in interdisciplinary teams is essential.

Please submit the required documents according to the provided templates at www.catalaix.com/en/catalaix-JPI until 01.09.2025 to application@catalaix.rwth-aachen.de.
The selection of funding recipients takes place on a competitive basis. In case of success, a start latest in Q1 2026 is expected.

Ihre Aufgaben

We are looking for an outstanding scientist who wishes to implement exciting ideas on sustainable technical polymer chemistry. Topics of interest are innovative and scalable polymer syntheses from renewable and recyclable building blocks in connection with the chemistry, catalysis, and theory of depolymerization. The WSS Research Centre catalaix aims at an integrated catalyst-process-product design of long-term recyclable monomers, polymers, and additives through modularization based on tailor-made chemical building blocks to combine required material properties with environmental compatibility and recyclability. The proposed research should lead to innovative circular plastics that will be developed in collaboration with the catalaix team. The possibility of technical implementation and broad application of the research should be a central research focus.

We are excited to offer close cooperation in a collegial environment. The envisioned catalaix-JPI is expected to greatly benefit from the expertise of the catalaix team and their guidance while establishing themselves as an independent researcher.

Über uns

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket.
RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason.
As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.
You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung.

Besoldung / Entgelt

EG 14 TV-L