PhD Student (f/m/d) in Developing Thin Film Catalysts for Electrochemical Water Splitting Using Digital Catalysis and High Throughput Screening
Reference No.: CE 2026/4
In the Electrocatalysis: Synthesis to Devices group at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), we are committed to developing new catalysts for electrochemical energy applications. In our group, through the newly funded Accelerated Solutions for Catalysis Using Emerging Nanotechnology and Digital innovation (ASCEND) project, we aim to design and scale-up new thin film active and inexpensive materials for electrolysers to allow for the large-scale implementation of this renewable energy route. We are hiring two doctoral students to work alongside our team for the development of inexpensive, efficient, and stable water splitting catalyst layers. You will fabricate these materials by combining transition metals with and without MXene materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), reach a better understanding of them by using in-situ/operando measurements and the upscaling of the thin films into electrolyser devices.ASCEND
The ASCEND project aims to accelerate the development of novel catalysts with the partners HZB, Fritz-Haber-Institut (FHI), TU Berlin (BasCat), Dunia Innovations, BASF and Siemens Energy. The ASCEND project leverages artificial intelligence and two innovative approaches — digital catalysis and thin-film catalysts — to reduce material consumption and boost efficiency. Its mission is to translate cutting-edge research into real-world industrial solutions, with a focus on sustainable synthetic fuels and base chemicals. ASCEND is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
Your Tasks
- You design and synthesize metal, MXene and hybrid metal/MXene materials through various routes.
- You design and perform ex-situ and in-situ characterization protocols to understand the materials activity-structural relationships.
- You perform extensive OER and HER evaluation measurements of the synthesized metal/MXene materials in three electrode cells and electrolysers.
- You work on the fabrication of the electrodes.
- You are involved in the general daily lab management duties, i.e. ordering chemicals and setting up of gas lines and synthetic processes.
- You help initiate cooperations/collaborations with industry partners.
Your Profile
- Master's degree (or similar) in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or related field
- Strong background in materials synthesis and characterization
- Experience in data science or high throughput methods
- Experience in electrocatalysis and or working with electrolyser devices
- Experience in in-situ/operando spectroscopic methods including XPS, XAS and Raman is advantageous
- Very good command of English (C1 or higher) in relation to scientific writing and communication to various audiences
- High level of intercultural competence and the ability to work in a team as well as independently
Your Benefits
As an employer, your well-being and a good balance between work and private life are important to us. That’s why we offer you a wide range of benefits.- The opportunity to work at an internationally recognized non-university research center with access to state-of-the-art facilities
- The opportunity to collaborate with excellent electrocatalysis and material science groups situated in Berlin and around the world.
- Flexible working hours and the possibility to work remotely
- Career-enhancing networking opportunities, individual guidance, and support through our Graduate Centre and Postdoc Office
- 30 days of vacation per year and attractive remuneration according to the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD Bund), plus company pension plan
- Advisory services on family and career matters through our Office for Work & Life
- Subsidy for public transport “Deutschlandticket Job” and exclusive employee discounts
- Relocation support from non-EU countries
- German courses for all proficiency levels
Fixed term contract for 48 months. The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).
How to apply
We look forward to receiving your application via our application management system by 17.05.2026. For reasons of data protection regulations, we are unfortunately unable to consider applications that reach us by any other means (such as email or mail) in the application process.We very much want our workplace to be diverse, and welcome applications from people with different backgrounds. It is our mission to promote equal opportunities and to improve women’s representation in the workforce. We are therefore very interested in receiving applications from women. Where the qualifications are met, we will give preference to people with disabilities.
For German version, please click on the following link: German Version.