Research Associate - Validation of polymer membranes for electrolysis and fuel cells in preparation for a spin-off company

Your Job:

You will join the "Electrocatalytic Interface Engineering" department, led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Simon Thiele, and the "Membrane Polymer Synthesis" (MPS) team by Dr. Jochen Kerres. The department focuses on the simulation, production, and analysis of functionally optimized structures from the nanometer to the micrometer scale in electrochemically active materials, as well as the development of new materials for catalysis, polymer electrolytes, and polymer electrolyte membranes. Your tasks will include validating these results with a view to a spin-off company Your main responsibilities include:

• Synthesis, upscaling and validation of anion- and cation-conducting solid electrolyte polymers and membranes for fuel cells and electrolysers in the operating range up to 90 degrees Celsius as part of a VIP+ validation project
  
• Synthesis of the new polymers and evaluation for application in fuel cells and electrolysis
  
• Patent and market research and preparation of a business plan
  
• Preparation of a company spin-off with the business purpose production of cation and anion exchange polymers and membranes and creation of product samples
  
• Coordination of and with various activities in the department to strengthen a possible spin-off company

Your Profile:

• A Master`s degree with excellent grades in the field of chemistry, chemical engineering, process engineering or other related disciplines
  
• Interest in and willingness to set up a spin-off company in the above-mentioned field
  
• Knowledge (specialisation) in the field of polymer chemistry, membrane technology
  
• Knowledge in the field of solid electrolyte polymers and their application in electrochemical membrane processes such as fuel cells and water electrolysis is desirable
  
• Knowledge and experience in (industrial) engineering or business administration
  
• Initiative and discipline
  
• Very good written and spoken English
  

Even if you do not fulfill the requirements of this position completely, we are happy to receive your application. We want you to fit in as a person, not just based on your profile. As part of this project, we are also interested in receiving applications for a doctoral position.

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Comprehensive training programmes and individual opportunities for personal and professional personal and professional development
  
• Comprehensive company health management
  
• Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life as well as a family-friendly company policy
  
• The opportunity to work flexibly (in terms of location), e.g. from home
  
• Support for a potential company spin-off from the Corporate Development department at Forschungszentrum Jülich
  
• Flexible working hours in a full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours ( https://go.fzj.de/near-full-time )
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

The position is for a fixed term of 3 years. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 13, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them. All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed . The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download.

Place of employment: Erlangen

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality