PhD student (m/f/d) for Synthesis and Characterization of Redox-Active Polymers at HIPOLE Jena
Reference no.: HI 2026/11
Achieving climate-neutrality within the next 20 years necessitates an innovation boost for the development of highly efficient, scalable, low-cost, and sustainably produced energy technologies. Polymer materials play a central role in this process. Energy storage and conversion materials, particularly sustainable batteries, play a central role in this context.
We are seeking a PhD student (m/f/d) to join our institute in Jena starting 01.01.2027. You have the opportunity to support a young institute with your ideas and expertise, and you will collaborate with researchers from around the world to contribute to the development of a climate-friendly future. The position is affiliated with the Collaborative Research Center TRR234 CataLight and will be based in the research group of Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert. CataLight investigates the controlled integration of molecular, light-driven catalytic units into hierarchically structured soft-matter matrix systems to convert solar energy into chemical reactivity.
For more information on each thematic focus, please visit: Homepage - HIPOLE Jena and Collaborative Research Center - CataLight.
Your Tasks
- Synthesis of redox-active monomers and polymers
- Characterization of redox-active polymers (from structural characterization to electrochemical properties)
- Coupling of redox-active polymers with photocatalytic units
- Investigation of photocatalytic reactions in collaboration with CataLight (e.g., hydrogen evolution or alcohol oxidation)
- Summary, presentation, and publication of the results in English
Your Profile
- A successful master’s degree in chemistry or a comparable field of study
- Extensive and proven experience in organic chemistry and/or polymer chemistry
- Experience in organic synthesis and, ideally, in polymer synthesis
- Experience with analytical methods for polymer characterization
- Very good knowledge of electrochemistry and, ideally, photocatalysis
- Very good written and spoken English skills
You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary, international team within a diverse and dynamic work environment.
Your Benefits at HZB
- International/diversity-sensitive working environment at a Helmholtz Institute
- Opportunity to contribute to the development of novel materials and technological solutions for a climate-neutral future together with top international researchers
- Career-enhancing networking opportunities and individual support and assistance programmes
- Participation in the integrated graduate program of the CataLight Collaborative Research Center
- Good work-life balance through counselling services on family and career and flexible working time models: Flexible working hours, the possibility to work remotely
- 30 days paid leave
- Health management, company pension scheme (VBL), subsidy for the Deutschlandticket/Jobticket
- Long-term prospects, opportunities for further development/training programmes
- Payment in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund)
Fixed term contract for 36 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 31.08.2026. For reasons of data protection regulations, we are unfortunately unable to consider applications that reach us by 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.