PhD Position – Analytical Detection of Green Hydrogen and Hydrogen Carriers Using Trace Analysis
Would you like to actively contribute to the structural transformation of the Rhenish mining area? With us, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to the further development of the Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (IHE), founded in 2021, and contribute your ideas. Together with the H2 Demonstration Region, the IHE forms the Helmholtz Cluster for a Sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy (HC-H2). Here, the scientific foundations for innovative hydrogen technologies are being laid to advance research and development initiatives with high potential for sustainability and economic impact.
You will be part of the Reaction Engineering for Chemical Hydrogen Storage Division (IHE-3). The division focuses on the detailed investigation of hydrogen and hydrogen carrier technologies. In addition, IHE-3 develops instrumental analytical methods for distinguishing between fossil and renewable hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives. If you're interested in the energy transition, sustainability, and chemical hydrogen storage, then you've come to the right place. Join our team and help develop methods for analyzing the origin of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers!
Your Job
You will develop instrumental analytical methods to determine the origin of hydrogen and hydrogen carrier substances (e.g. ammonia and methane) through gas composition measurements—in particular, trace analysis—in the laboratories at Forschungszentrum Jülich. Your work will also include investigating how these characteristics are influenced by processes along the hydrogen value chain. Further development of the verification concept for green hydrogen and, in particular, green hydrogen carriers.
- Development and establishment of analytical methods in the field of gas composition measurements, with a focus on thermodesorption-coupled gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) as well as proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS)
- Experimental and model-based analysis of relevant processes in the hydrogen economy
- Collaboration with partners in the green hydrogen economy
- Publication and presentation of results in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences
- Collaboration with other research groups within Forschungszentrum Jülich
- Assistance with the acquisition of samples of fossil and green hydrogen and hydrogen carriers
- Assistance with institute setup activities (e.g., commissioning equipment)
Your Profile
- A successfully completed master's degree in chemistry—particularly with a focus on analytical chemistry or physical chemistry—experimental physics, or a related discipline with a focus on instrumental analysis
- Extensive experience in instrumental analytical chemistry, particularly mass spectrometry
- Experience in developing and optimizing analytical methods (e.g., TD-GC-MS, PTR-TOF-MS) is a plus
- Knowledge of hydrogen and energy research is a plus
- High motivation to complete the Ph.D. within 3 years
- Very good organizational skills
- Ability to take initiative and work independently
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills, as well as the ability to work as part of a team
- Very good command of written and spoken English (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level
Our Benefits for You
- Team & Environment: You will work in a motivated team with an international and interdisciplinary focus – at one of the largest research institutions in Europe
- Networking & Exchange: You will participate in (international) conferences and project meetings and actively build your scientific network
- Supervision & Support: We will accompany your doctoral studies with continuous, expert guidance from your academic supervisor
- Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
- Annual Leave: You get 30 days of annual leave
- Knowledge & Development: Your professional development is important to us – we support you specifically and individually e.g., through training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS)
- Successful start: It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
- Fair remuneration: Depending on your qualifications and assigned responsibilities, you will be classified according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD-Bund. In addition to the basic salary, there is an additional year-end bonus under the collective pay agreement amounting to 75% of a monthly salary, as well as capital-forming benefits. All information about the TVöD-Bund collective agreement can be found on the BMI website (pay scale table on page 74 of the PDF download)
- Fixed-term: The position is limited to 3 years
- Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started
In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.
The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey. International applicants can find more information here: https://go.fzj.de/job-journey-internationals
Index number: 2026D-0790
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