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 28th, 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.