At the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Physics and Geography and the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, the Research Training Group (RTG) „Substitute Materials for sustainable Energy Technologies" (Graduiertenkolleg GRK 2204), funded since April 1^st, 2016, by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), offers by May 1^st, 2019 until March 31^st, 2022,

12 Doctoral Positions (67 %).

RTG 2204 is a DFG funded postgraduate programme run at the Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) in Germany. In agreement with the current legislation the position is remunerated according to „Entgeltgruppe 13 Tarifvertrag Hessen (TV-H)". The duration of the offered positions can be extended for a total of three years, if the funds are provided for this purpose. Extension is possible in special cases, e.g. applicants with young children. The doctorate projects within RTG explore substitute materials based on abundant elements („elements of hope") aiming at overcoming the limitations imposed by scarcity of elements and materials. The RTG focuses on developing and studying such strategies in the field of energy storage, energy conversion and energy transport, to achieve a breakthrough in cutting-edge technologies like high-efficiency photovoltaics, large-scale rechargeable batteries, thermoelectric generators and energy-efficient materials. The program is run by twelve research groups from chemistry, physics and materials science cooperating in the Center for Materials Research ZfM/LaMa, an interdisciplinary research center of JLU. The individual doctorate project can be either experimental and/or theoretical. 12 Doctoral projects in the following project areas are offered (responsible principal investigators in brackets):
• Energy-efficient Technologies

• Combinatorical approaches in materials science of materials of hope - synthesis and characterisation (Prof. Chat‍ter‍jee),
• Theoretical description of transport phenomena in novel energy materials (Prof. Hei‍li‍ger),
• Characterization of new energy materials based on abundant chemical elements by means of transport measurements (Prof. Klar),
• Analyzing and optimizing electronic transport in magnesium silicide based solid solutions (Prof. Mül‍ler).

• Batteries

• Cobalt-free cathodes for Lithium ion batteries (Prof. Ja‍nek),
• Theoretical investigations of the chemistry in metal-oxygen batteries (Prof. Mol‍len‍‍hau‍er),
• Sputter deposition of functional layers for electrochemical energy storage (Dr. Po‍li‍ty),
• Boron-Nitrogen radicals as new electrolytes for organic flow batteries (Prof. Weg‍‍ner).

• Carbon-based Technologies

• Bottom-up design of graphene nanoribbons for GNR-FET applications (Prof. Schir‍mei‍sen),
• Preparation and characterization of thin films made of substituted metal complexes (Prof. Schlett‍wein),
• Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of substituted metal complexes for organic electronics (Prof. Schrei‍ner),
• Carbons with highly ordered sp2-structure for electrochemical applications (Prof. Smars‍ly).

Please find detailed descriptions of all 12 projects under:
www.uni-giessen.de/rtg2204-positions We offer a challenging scientific co-operative doctorate program flanked with an educational program comprising lab technique courses, soft-skill training, progress meetings, international workshops and stays in the partner laboratories or in associated industry companies. Special highlights of the RTG are:

• Opportunity for participation in relevant international conferences
• Supervision by at least two principal investigators from chemistry and physics departments

Prerequisite:
M. Sc., German Diploma degree or honours equivalent in chemistry, physics, materials science or related fields that allow to obtain a doctorate degree. Personal initiative, creativity, team spirit, good English language skills and a profound background in science are expected. Basic German language skills are desirable, but not required. Please apply for a position in this project only if you intend to obtain a doctorate in the natural sciences. The Justus Liebig University Giessen strongly encourages female scientists to apply for these positions. As a family-friendly higher education institution the Justus Liebig University Giessen particularly welcomes applicants with children. Please send your application stating the applications number 282/08 with the usual documents*) until March 28^th, 2019 to Prof. Dr. Bernd Smarsly, JLU Giessen, Physikalisch-Chemisches Institut, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, GERMANY or by e-mail to bernd.smarsly@phys.chemie.uni-giessen.de (all below-mentioned documents need to be combined into one single PDF-file). Applicants with disabilities but otherwise equal qualifications will be preferred. Please do not send original documents as these will not be returned after end of the selection procedure. *) Required documents: curriculum vitae, references, certificates (English or German), letter of motivation (1 page only!). The motivation letter should state your scientific expertise as well as the desired research project. If you are interested in more than one project, motivation for each project needs to be addressed in the motivation letter.