Research Assistant/Associate - Doctoral candidate - Katalyse (f/m/d) Mechanism, activity and stability of methanation catalysts via in-situ X-ray scattering

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 initially for one year.
It is planned to extend the contract for another two years.
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 part-time contract position.
The standard weekly hours will be 26,55 hours.
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

Material research and characterization in the field of energy research and transition is at the heart of the Institute of Crystallography at RWTH Aachen University. To perform industrial catalysis from renewable resources which are subject to natural fluctuations, heterogeneous catalysts are required which withstand such fluctuations in energy and feedstock supply, such as hydrogen supply. We employ a toolbox of modern X-ray and neutron scattering techniques, both in the laboratory and at large scale research facilities, combined with complementary physicochemical characterization to achieve a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms, activity and stability of heterogeneous catalysts.

The methanation of CO2 using H2 produced via electrolysis of water is an approach for long-term storage of energy from renewable resources. In this project we want to investigate the structure-activity correlation of Ni catalysts on different Al2O3 supports during catalytic cycling. We will carry out in-situ powder X-ray scattering experiments with subsequent analysis of the pair distribution function (PDF) to track the nanoparticle size and structure during catalysis. In particular, we investigate intricate local structural changes such as restructuring at the interface of nanoparticle and support or the effect of gas adsorption onto the nanoparticle structure. For the physicochemical characterization in this project, we collaborate with esteemed partners in the Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry of RWTH and Forschungszentrum Jülich. The PhD candidate will benefit from this interdisciplinary networking, the close supervision in our motivated team, and the dedicated workshop program offered by RWTH and synchrotron facilities.

Further, we support your work with: 

• Comprehensive training programs and individual opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Recently renovated chemical and X-ray laboratories.
• Regular work group meetings, travel to beamtimes and conferences.
• Access to a strong research network at the RWTH Aachen and at Forschungszentrum Jülich.
• The opportunity to work flexibly (in terms of location), e.g. partly from home.
• Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-conscious company policy.
• 30 days of annual leave, If work is performed on 5 days per week

Ihr Profil

• University degree (Master or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, materials or geoscience, or related field.
• Experience in at least two of the following: heterogeneous catalysts, synthesis, mass spectrometry, X-ray scattering, data analysis / scientific programming (Origin Pro, Igor Pro, Python, Labview).
• High motivation for further training and academic qualification (doctorate).
• Independent and goal-oriented way of working.
• Good command of written and spoken English, and possibly German.

Ihre Aufgaben

• Synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts (Ni on Al2O3) and characterization involving e.g. TGA, IR, TEM, MS, BET.
• Implementation of a reaction chamber into a laboratory PDF diffractometer, including the optimization of measurement protocols and combined mass spectrometry.
• Beamtimes at synchrotron radiation facilities.
• Analysis of XRD and PDF data for structure refinement and modelling of heterogeneous catalysts.
• Publication of results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentation at 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