PhD Position - Water at Catalytic Interfaces

Join the Cluster of Excellence "BlueMat : Water-Driven Materials" (https : / / www.tuhh.de / bluemat / homepage) and contribute to one of Europe's most exciting research initiatives. Collaborate with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team that combines science, sustainability, and technology to create a better future. Help shape the next generation of sustainable materials inspired by nature's most powerful resource : water.

For the Institute of Functional Materials for Sustainability, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon we are looking as soon as possible for a PhD to conduct research within the project "Water at Catalytic Interfaces" as part of the BlueMat Cluster of Excellence. The position is fixed-term for three years until January 31st, 2029.

https : / / www.tuhh.de / bluemat / homepage

The BlueMat project "Water at catalytic interfaces" will investigate the role of water and ions in determining the efficiency and selectivity of catalytic reactions in which proton transfer, thus water, plays a decisive role in shaping the chemical products. By systematically examining how water and ionic environments influence reaction pathways, we aim to uncover fundamental principles that govern product distribution and catalytic performance. Close collaboration with theory will be central to guiding and rationalizing the experiments, while synchrotron-based techniques will provide detailed insights into the atomic-level processes. By linking mechanistic understanding at the atomic scale to system-level performance, this project aims to establish design principles that can inform the development of next-generation catalytic materials.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy.

Your tasks

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, physics, or a related field
• strong motivation and passion for experimental research and scientific discovery
• ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment
• very good written and spoken English
• willingness to participate in synchrotron experiments, including occasional night shifts

Additional qualifications (advantageous but not required)

We offer you

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.