Jobs

For initiative applications for a Bachelor, Master or PhD thesis, please contact the leader of the respective group or department directly.

Academic worker (f/m/d)
Development of continuous synthesis processes for the production of clusters, nanoparticles and supported catalysts (75% part-time)

Category

Job description

The project is part of the Collaborative Research Center "Tracking the Active Site in Heterogeneous Catalysis" (CRC 1441 TrackAct) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). You will develop continuous synthesis processes for the production of clusters, nanoparticles, and supported catalysts. These will be used to create model catalysts for application tests in the field of emissions control and to establish relationships between structure and properties. To this end, you will technically adapt or further develop an existing synthesis platform. Furthermore, you will utilize or implement online and in situ analysis options to monitor reaction progress and optimize and control the process.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Development of novel, continuous synthesis processes in the liquid phase for the production of precious metal clusters and nanoparticles.
  • Production of model catalysts according to the precursor concept using clusters/nanoparticles.
  • Characterization of the produced clusters, nanoparticles, and model catalysts. Use of catalysts in catalytic tests in collaboration with project partners.
  • Publication of research results and active participation in national and international conferences.

The position offers the opportunity for part-time doctoral studies.

Personal qualification

You have:

  • An above-average/very good academic degree (Master's/Diploma (University) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a comparable degree with relevant knowledge of technical and inorganic chemistry and chemical synthesis.
  • Experience in handling air-sensitive chemicals and safety in chemical laboratories.
  • Experience with chemical analysis techniques (e.g., IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, powder diffraction, electron microscopy).
  • Further technical knowledge/skills, e.g., in relation to electronic components and programming skills, are an advantage.
  • Very good written and spoken English skills and preferably also German skills.
  • Ability to work constructively in a team and with interdisciplinary partners.
  • Independent, goal-oriented, and reliable working style.

 

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Academic worker (f/m/d)
for the production and characterization of bifunctional model catalysts for synthesis gas chemistry (75% part-time)

Category

Job description

The aim of this activity is the production and characterization of bifunctional model catalysts for synthesis gas chemistry. The model catalysts will be produced from defined nanoparticles according to the precursor concept. This includes the colloidal liquid-phase synthesis of nanoparticles, the production of acidic solids (e.g., zeolites), and chemical or thermal conditioning of the catalysts for use in the catalytic reactor. The nanoparticles and model catalysts will be characterized using various analytical methods such as UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy, etc. Specifically, the catalytic properties of the new catalysts in the field of synthesis gas chemistry will be investigated in a continuous fixed-bed reactor to better understand the relationships between structure and catalytic properties.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Development of chemical synthesis processes for the production of nanoparticles and model catalysts (colloidal chemical processes, microwave synthesis, hydrothermal synthesis, etc.).
  • Characterization of nanoparticles and catalysts using various analytical methods.
  • Catalytic tests in the field of synthesis gas chemistry to establish structure-property relationships.
  • Adaptation or further development of an existing continuous laboratory facility.
  • Publication of research results and active participation in national and international conferences.

The position offers the opportunity for part-time doctoral studies.

Personal qualification

You have:

  • A completed university degree (Master's / Diploma (University) in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering or a comparable field) with relevant knowledge of technical and inorganic chemistry as well as chemical synthesis.
  • Experience in handling air-sensitive chemicals and safety in chemical laboratories.
  • Experience with chemical analysis techniques (e.g., UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy).
  • Very good written and spoken English skills and preferably also German skills.
  • Ability to work constructively in a team and with interdisciplinary partners.
  • Independent, goal-oriented, and reliable working style.

 

More details Apply

Postdoc (f/m/d)

Category

Job description

The main tasks include the scientific supervision of a beamline for X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the KIT Light Source (CAT-ACT) and structural investigations of mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles for various catalytic processes. In particular, EXAFS and XANES characterization methods are used. Further X-ray-based methods for operando characterization are under development, also at other sources like PETRA III, ESRF, SOLEIL and SLS. Your tasks are the coordination of the measurement operation at CAT-ACT, the planning and application of time and spatially resolved EXAFS, as well as the combination of EXAFS with other spectroscopic methods, and the analysis of XANES, EXAFS and catalytic activity data. Furthermore, cooperation in the establishing of an EXAFS database for catalysis research and in the automatization of the measurement procedure is desired. The cooperation with groups at the KIT beamline CAT-ACT, IKFT and ITCP plays an important role. Your job profile is rounded off by the scientific supervision of doctoral students and students.

Personal qualification

you have:

  • a completed scientific university studies (Master / Diploma (University)) in the field of chemistry or physics with a completed doctorate
  • several years of professional experience in the fields of catalysis, laboratory support, synchrotron radiation source, commissioning of in situ cells for X-ray absorption spectroscopy, material characterization, modelling of spectra and detailed EXAFS analysis
  • Knowledge in newer methods like modulation excitation spectroscopy is desired.

 

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