PhD Student (m/f/x): Accelerated atomic-scale investigation of the stability of high-entropy electro

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for 1

PhD Student (m/f/x): Accelerated atomic-scale investigation of the stability of high-entropy electrocatalysts using a new atom probe tomography process

Are you interested in working in the rapidly evolving research field of high entropy materials for electrocatalysis? As part of the international ERC Synergy project DEMI (Directed Evolution of Metastable Electrocatalyst Interfaces for Energy Conversion), a position for a PhD student (m/f/x) is available as soon as possible. RUB, University of Copenhagen (Denmark), Helmholtz Institute Erlangen Nuremberg and University of Bern (Switzerland) form the DEMI team. This team works together intensively to make progress in electrocatalysis for the energy systems of the future. New high-entropy alloys are calculated in Copenhagen, the Bochum team produces thin-film materials libraries and uses high-throughput methods for characterization. The partners in Erlangen and Bern carry out experimental electrochemistry.

You would work on the subproject “Accelerated atomic-scale investigation of the stability of high-entropy electrocatalysts using a new type of atom probe tomography process”: High-entropy alloys are sputtered on pre-sharpened Silicon microtips by means of combinatorial sputtering, to form „combinatorial processing platforms“. This accelerates investigation of metastable electrocatalyst surfaces to identify changes in its composition at the atomic level before, during, and after electrochemical experiments. (see DOI: 10.1039/D4MH00245H). For this international top-level research project, we are looking for a highly motivated scientist with very good knowledge in the field of materials science (thin films and material characterization desirable) and interest in electrochemical materials and materials informatics, who dares to tackle new, exciting and promising topics in an interdisciplinary environment and who has the ambition to efficiently generate, publish and apply new scientific findings with the extraordinary experimental possibilities available and the international cooperation within the ERC Synergy project.

Scope: full-time

Duration: fixed-term, 36 Monate

Start: at the earliest possible date

Apply by: 2025-09-03

Your tasks:

■ Synthesis of high entropy thin films on tip arrays using combinatorial sputtering

■ Performing atom probe tomography in combination with electrochemical experiments

■ TEM characterization of films on tips

■ High-throughput characterization of thin films (EDX, XRD, XPS)

■ Electrochemical characterization and modification of thin films (e.g. SDC, SECCM)

■ Interdisciplinary collaboration with international teams (e.g. Copenhagen, Erlangen, Bern)

■ Publication of results

Your profile:

■ Completed studies with a focus on materials science, with very good results, in the field of mechanical engineering, physics (specializing in materials science), materials science or materials chemistry or comparable

■ Practical experience in thin film synthesis, preferably sputtering

■ Practical experience in the field of characterization of thin films, e.g. SEM, EDX, XRD, SPM

■ Experience in the field of atom probe tomography is desirable

■ Experience in electrochemistry

■ Fluent in written and spoken English

■ Interest in publications

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/75a04a1e631186614313a389685e794381e96f620?ref=AfA