We are always looking for motivated people joining our group! Browse the open positions or send us an initiative application.
Open positions
Context
30% of CO2 emission in German road traffic are caused by heavy-duty vehicles, although they account for only 10% of all vehicles. Therefore, significant amounts of CO2 can be saved in this sector by electrifying relatively few vehicles. This can be done most economically with fuel cells. For this purpose, fuel cells for long lifetimes (30 000 h) must be developed.
Your tasks
For this purpose, we are looking for a motivated student to help us to analyze degradation mechanisms in different functional parts of the fuel cell (e.g. catalyst layer,…) and compare them in different material classes. So these can be counteracted later on. The focus of your tasks may be shifted to your own strengths and interests. With so much to look forward to, there is the possibility to follow up with a Bachelor or Master Thesis.
Your profile
- You are a student in engineering, physics, chemistry, material science; ideally with experience in Lab-Work
- You are highly motivated to work in the field of Fuel-Cells, sustainable technologies
- A high level of team spirit and strong intercultural communication
- optional skills: experience in: electrochemistry, polymerchemistry or solid-state chemistry
The position
- We offer excellent working conditions in the young and interdisciplinary “electrochemical energy systems” group
- Possibility of writing a bachelor´s or master´s thesis
- The working language is English or German
Contact information
Julian Stiegeler
Electrochemical Energy Systems
Department of Microsystems Engineering – IMTEK
University of Freiburg
Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg
Context
In order to reach CO2-neutrality, our society has to reduce the consumption of fossil energy sources and scale up renewables instead. Due to their fluctuating availability, renewable energies must be accompanied by suitable energy storage solutions. Here vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) can be part of the solution as stationary storage systems, as they are relatively cheap, easy to scale up, have long cycling stability and a high recyclability. However, the development of cheaper and more efficient membranes for VRFBs are of very high interest and a current focus of research.
Your task
For this purpose, we are offering a position for a master thesis to develop and produce efficient and durable anion exchange membranes in a new approach, do performance tests in situ in our test cells and investigate their characteristics ex situ with advanced imaging techniques like electron microscopy or Raman micro spectroscopy.
Your profile
- You are a student in chemistry, functional materials, microsystems engineering, material science or comparable; ideally with experience in Lab-Work
- You are highly motivated to work in the field of renewable energies, sustainable technologies and polymer chemistry
- You enjoy working in the lab
- You have a high level of team spirit and strong intercultural communication
- optional skills: experience in: electrochemistry or solid-state chemistry
The position
- We offer excellent working conditions in the young and interdisciplinary “electrochemical energy systems” group
- Modern infrastructure for material characterization
- The working language is English or German
Contact information
Frieder Junginger
Electrochemical Energy Systems
Department of Microsystems Engineering – IMTEK
University of Freiburg
Georges-Koehler-Allee 103, 79110 Freiburg
click on the open position to find out more
How to apply
Please send your application via email, ideally with all documents attached as one PDF containing:
- CV
- transcript of records (Bachelor, Master)
- and a short motivational letter
additional information
The motivational letter should describe concisely your motivation, e.g.: why you want to work in this field?, why pursue a PhD?, why this position?, what are your goals?, what drives you? etc.
References can be attached if relevant.
We typically don’t have PostDoc openings. However, you can send us your application and we can support you in acquiring a scholarship. Unfortunately, our time and space is very limited. We can therefore only support those with a good fit to our activities. Please state in your motivational letter why you want pursue an academic career.
Freiburg, Germany
Situated in the rhine valley at the edge of the black forest, Freiburg offers a particularly high quality of living with many after-work acitivities. With its location close to Alsace (France), the Swiss Alps and a frequent 2h-train connection to Frankfurt, Freiburg is also very well connected.