Research Assistant (f/m/d) – PhD Student Fuel Cell Development and characterization of electrodes for PEM fuel cells

Weitere Informationen

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled by 8/1/2024 and offered for a fixed term of initially 1 year.
Continued employment for at least two years is planned.
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 successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

Unser Profil

The Electrochemical Reaction Engineering (ERT) is part of Aachen Process Engineering (AVT) at RWTH Aachen University. At the Center for Next Generation Processes and Products (NGP²), eight chairs conduct interdisciplinary research for the development of future-oriented processes in the field of process engineering.

At the ERT we work in a motivated, interdisciplinary team. We maintain open, friendly communication. Through our current research, we not only want to create new scientific knowledge, but also address socio-political issues such as the energy transition and offer new solutions.

We investigate the influence of different reaction conditions on electrocatalysis. These differ significantly on an industrial scale from idealized measurements under laboratory conditions. The fundamental understanding of such scale-up phenomena enables the systematic development of suitable electrodes for real reactors. A central role is also played by in-operando analytics, such as mass spectrometry downstream of the reaction.

The project

The project to be filled is a DFG cooperation project with the University of Calgary, Canada, and the Research Center Jülich. Here, novel catalyst layers are being developed to enable improved mass and charge transport at the three-phase interface. At the ERT, reference layers are produced and characterized and new test methods for these layers in the fuel cell are developed. Among other things, a fuel cell measuring stand is available for this purpose. Due to the cooperation, at least one research stay of several weeks in Canada is planned in the partner group.

We further offer:

• A passionate team and a familiar working environment
• The opportunity to actively participate in the working group and in the Aachen Process Engineering team
• A strong research infrastructure in a modern research building (NGP²)

If you are interested, we look forward to receiving your complete application documents (cover letter, CV, certificates, other supporting documents) via e-mail to secretary.ert@avt.rwth-aachen.de. For international applications, we recommend a CV in accordance with European standards. This can be created for example here: https://europass.europa.eu/en/create-europass-cv

Ihr Profil

• You have a university degree (Master's or equivalent) in the field of natural sciences or engineering (e.g. mechanical engineering, process engineering, energy technology, materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering or similar)
• Experience in the field of electrochemistry is desirable but not a prerequisite
• You are a good team player and able to work independently and reliably
• You are able to present scientific results convincingly
• You have a high level of commitment and motivation
• Due to the international working environment, you are expected to be fluent in written and spoken English
• German language skills are an advantage

Ihre Aufgaben

• Production and characterization of catalyst layers
• Development of new electrochemical methods
• Evaluation of new electrode layers using half-cell and fuel cell measurements
• Cooperation and communication with project partners
• Willingness to travel internationally and spend several weeks abroad in Calgary, Canada
• Supervision of theses within the field of activity
• Presentation of scientific results in reports, publications and at (inter)national conferences

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 13 TV-L