The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) develops and operates neutron scattering instruments at some of the best neutron sources worldwide. Our main branch lab is located at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching near Munich, where we operate a suite of high-performance neutron scattering instruments in a user program and for our own research in the fields of “Quantum Materials and collective Phenomena”, “Soft matter and biophysics” and “Neutron Analytics for Energy Research”.
JCNS invites applications for the “Tasso Springer Fellowship Program”, named after the outstanding neutron scientist who in his career was bridging neutron research in Jülich to Garching and Grenoble, nowadays the location of two main branch labs of JCNS. The program has two main thrusts: in the PhD part it aims at educating the next generation of outstanding researchers; in the postdoc part it gives early career researchers the opportunity to further develop their scientific excellence. The fellowship is meant for projects in physical, chemical, materials and biological sciences. It addresses research with neutrons in the above-mentioned focal areas of JCNS.

Up to 10 fellowships are granted in the present call.

For the “Tasso Springer Fellowship Program” we are looking to recruit a

PostDoc or PhD position in the field of condensed matter research with neutrons

Your Job:

We are looking for candidates interested in joining our international team to perform exciting research with neutrons in the focal areas of JCNS. PhD students will be co-supervised by scientists from Garching and Jülich. Research subjects may include, but are not limited to:

In the area of soft matter:

• in situ, time-resolved scattering experiments on self-assembly processes
  
• binary 2D- and 3D-polymer nanocomposites
  
• folding and phase behavior of intrinsically disordered proteins
  

In solid state research:

• coupling between order parameters in multiferroic and multicaloric materials
  
• interface effects in heterostructures of correlated electron systems
  
• exotic magnetic order and emergent excitations in quantum materials

Your Profile:

• Master (for application as PhD student) or Doctorate (for application as Postdoc) in condensed matter physics, chemistry, materials sciences and engineering or related fields e.g. crystallography
  
• Strong written and oral English communication skills
  
• Proven track record in soft matter or solid-state research
  
• Knowledge of scattering methods is desired, but not mandatory
  
• Initiative character, creativity, good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, result orientation and analytical skills

Our Offer:

• Opportunity to work on topical challenges with access to cutting-edge and partly unique instruments, laboratory facilities and the excellent infrastructure of one of Europe’s largest research establishments
  
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. via a comprehensive further training programme
  
• Participation in conferences and in experiments at international large-scale facilities
  
• Attractive flexible working hours and a broad offer to arrange business and family
  
• For the PhD program: Usually a contract for the duration of 3 years in line with a 75% of the salary 13 TVÖD Bund position; the successful candidate will receive the PhD from the RWTH Aachen University
  
• For the Postdoc program: Temporary employment for 2 years with the option for a Prolongation. Salary and social benefits in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD). Depending on the applicant`s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks, salary grade 13 or 14 TVöD-Bund
  
• Full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours
  

Place of employment: Garching (Munich)

Forschungszentrum Jülich promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment relations.

We also welcome applications from disabled persons.