Are you looking to take your education and career to the next level? Do you have a passion for research and a desire to make meaningful contributions to your field of study? If so, a Postdoctoral Fellowships may be the perfect choice for you.
Attention all aspiring scholars and researchers! The Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany is accepting applications for our prestigious funded PhD programs. Apply to the Forschungszentrum Jülich’s PhD program today and take the first step towards a rewarding and fulfilling academic career.
1. PhD Program in Development of scalable superconducting quantum systems
About PhD Position
The mission of the Institute for Functional Quantum Systems (PGI-13) is to create the technological scientific basis to make quantum computing usable. We focus on developing quantum devices, improving their coherence an materials, and implementing quantum gates, algorithms and architectures. We use superconducting qubis that operate at temperatures close to absolute zero and are controlled by high-speed signals. A key requirement is to preserve high quality quantum operations as we scale. Overcoming these exciting challenges lies at the interface between scientific research an engineering.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
2. PhD Program in Development and Characterization of Tailormade Materials for Orbital Cinematography
About PhD Position
Several open positions are available at Peter Grünberg Institute – Quantum Nanoscience (PGI-3). The positions are funded by the European Union through the ERC Synergy Grant “Photoemission Orbital Cinematography: An Ultrafast Wavefunction Lab”. Directly watching in slow-motion videos how electrons move in quantum mechanical orbitals and how this motion shapes the functionalities of condensed matter has been a dream shared by all natural and life sciences. Based on synergies between photoemission orbital tomography, ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy, lightwave electronics and advanced theory, the project “Orbital Cinema” will turn this dream into reality, by creating a cinematography at unprecedented time scales, faster than a single oscillation period of light.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
3. PhD Program in Mathematical modelling of the soil-root-mycorrhiza system
About PhD Position
The work will be part of the DFG project “Texture Dependency of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Induced Plant Drought Tolerance (TeAM-uP)” in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, the University of Bayreuth, the Technical University of Munich, and the Czech Academy of Sciences. The TeAM-uP project will investigate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on soil and rhizosphere hydraulic properties and its consequences for host plant water and nutrient uptake as well as carbon flows under drought conditions.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
4. PhD Program in Assessment of an innovative process chain for green hydrogen and methanol provision
About PhD Position
The use of green hydrogen in certain industry sectors (e.g., chemical industry or in steelmaking) is without an alternative to reach greenhouse gas neutrality. Besides of the availability of huge amounts of renewable energy the presence of water has an essential impact on the ‘green hydrogen’ potential especially in dry regions like western Africa. The transformation from hydrogen to methanol can be advantageous because of its better storage and transportation characteristics under ambient conditions. In the realm of this PhD position the techno-economic potential of an innovative process route for green hydrogen and methanol provision is going to be assessed. The process route is innovative as the needed water is adsorbed from the ambient air and this way important local ground water resources can be saved.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
5. PhD Program in Circular recycling in photovoltaics (PV)
About PhD Position
You will be working in the new topic area “circular recycling in PV” (headed by Dr. Ian Marius Peters) of the High Throughput Experiments Photovoltaik department. Our vision is to design new PV modules that are easier to recycle, and thus have an improved environmental footprint. This work is part of an ERC project that aims to design, model and realize new PV module architectures that i) use use materials with improved environmental performance ii) equip interfaces with a release mechanism, iii) use techno-economic and life cycle analysis to project economic and environmental improvement and guide development, iv) use industrial-grade materials and processes and v) experimentally demonstrate improved recyclability.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
PhD Career: What are the Career Option?
6. PhD Program in Pre-Silicon Verification Environment for Neuromorphic Computing Hardware Demonstrators
About PhD Position
Our team is working on integrated circuits (ICs) which combine analog and digital components from modern CMOS technologies. One research focus within the NEUROTEC II research project is the development of ICs for novel computing devices using memristive elements to advance into the Beyond Moore computing regime. For that, we research on the co-integration of memristors onto commercial CMOS processes, creating a memristive computing system with heterogeneous neuromorphic accelerators on a single die. The focus of this doctoral work will be to develop and establish a pre-silicon verification environment using the universal verification methodology (UVM) for the heterogeneous architecture of a neuromorphic accelerator.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
7. PhD Program in Electronic system design and modeling for qubit initialization and readout in a scalable quantum architecture
About PhD Position
To make the vision of a universal quantum computer reality, we are working on scalable electronic architectures based on semiconductor spin quantum bits (qubits). For ultimately scaling up the number of qubits into the millions, it is crucial to move parts of the control electronics closer to the qubits. To achieve this, we design and implement integrated cryogenic circuits for qubit control and readout in state-of-the-art CMOS technologies. Since the qubits are extremely sensitive to disturbances and operate in temperatures down to a few hundred millikelvins, the requirements on power consumption, noise and area are severe. For this reason, it is necessary to develop new and groundbreaking architectures and circuit topologies. Modeling electronics and their interfaces to qubits in this challenging environment is an essential part of this.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
8. PhD Program in Electronic system design and modeling for scalable long-range qubit coupling architecture
About PhD Position
To make the vision of a universal quantum computer reality, we are working on scalable electronic architectures based on semiconductor spin quantum bits (qubits). For ultimately scaling up the number of qubits into the millions, it is crucial to move parts of the control electronics closer to the qubits. To achieve this, we design and implement integrated cryogenic circuits for qubit control and readout in state-of-the-art CMOS technologies. Since the qubits are extremely sensitive to disturbances and operate in temperatures down to a few hundred millikelvins, the requirements on power consumption, noise and area are severe. For this reason, it is necessary to develop new and groundbreaking architectures and circuit topologies. Modeling electronics and their interfaces to qubits in this challenging environment is an essential part of this
Application Deadline: Open until filled
9. PhD Program in Multi-target Electrochemical Aptamer-based Biosensor for Detection of Respiratory Diseases
About PhD Position
We aim to develop an electrochemical biosensor for the detection of target proteins from respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and Influenza. The biosensor should be fabricated and optimized on flexible multielectrode arrays (flexMEA) utilizing aptamers as detection molecules. This project aims to advance our bio-sensing technology as a Point-of-care (PoC) device.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
10. PhD Program in Organic Electrosynthesis – Heterogeneous Catalyst under Real-Time Monitoring
About PhD Position
You will be part of the Electrocatalysis research department, which research area is to investigate fundamental relationships between electrolyte-electrode interface structure and selectivity or efficiency of chemical outcome during the preparation of complex and value-added compounds directly from the readily available feedstock. Organic synthesis under electrochemical conditions is a powerful tool for future sustainable chemical manufacturing, for which a robust catalytic materials are of high demand. A unique platform for online real-time analysis of electrochemical processes, developed in the Department of Electrocatalysis, will be applied by you to discover and develop novel Organic Electrosynthetic Protocols.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
11. PhD Program in Improving the stability and efficiency of suspension plasma spraying
About PhD Position
You are working in a publicly funded collaborative project with a German university. The goal is the targeted improvement of the stability and efficiency of the suspension plasma spraying process by means of adapted diagnostic methods. The particular difficulty in adapting these methods for suspension plasma spraying lies in the high local and temporal resolution required, the separation of the individual plasmas, and the selection of the radiation from the droplets/particles. In addition, the deposition conditions will be investigated to identify mechanisms affecting the layer properties.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
12. PhD Program in Synthesis and structural investigation of self-assembled cluster crystals from DNA-based nano-constructs
About PhD Position
Just as the particles (atoms and/or colloids) in ordinary crystals are arranged in a periodic lattice, cluster crystals are states of matter in which the lattice sites are occupied by clusters consisting of several particles. The interaction between the particles is purely repulsive, leading thereby to the counterintuitive result of clustering in the absence of attractions. The successful candidate will undertake the demanding task of synthesis and study the self-assembly of nanosized DNA-polymer cluster-forming constructs with dendritic and linear architecture.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
13. PhD Program in Robust Energy Supply
About PhD Position
Current political events highlight the vital importance of a robust and affordable energy supply. This thesis will primarily address questions pertaining to the security of supply of the existing and future sector-coupled German energy system within both a European and global context. In the course of this research, you will investigate which disruptive events and crises could endanger the security of supply and what an effective strategy for a robust energy supply could look like.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
14. PhD Program in Investigation of flow of blood in 3D channels that mimic the brain vasculature (Biophysics)
About PhD Position
In the Institute of Biological Information Processing – Biomacromolecular Systems and Processes (IBI-4) we investigate the collective behavior of systems consisting of interacting biomacromolecules, red blood cells, and novel thermosensitive DNA hybrid particles. Our aim is to gain a fundamental quantitative understanding of their phase and transport behavior, and their biological functions. In this context, the research group of Prof. Pavlik Lettinga investigates the interplay between the complexity of blood as a fluid and the geometry it flows through. They recently employed Scanning Laser Etching (SLE) to produce 3D channels that uniquely replicate the vasculature of brain. Thus, blood flow can be investigated in conditions resembling a physiological environment, improving on the traditional 2D microfluidic techniques. This opens up a plethora of opportunities to address long standing questions on the dynamics of blood flow.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
15. PhD Program in Organic and Perovskite solar cells
About PhD Position
Organic and perovskite solar cells are among the emerging photovoltaic technologies that can contribute to the energy transition in the near future. Compared to silicon devices, these solution-processed solar cells are cost-effective and environmentally friendly, and they allow novel applications thanks to their flexibility and partial transparency. However, the efficiency and lifetime of these solar cells still need to be improved. In addition to materials development, it is known that the fabrication process plays a decisive role in their performance. Therefore, one of the challenges for further optimization is to rationalize the effects of processing conditions on the subtle nanomorphology formed during the production of the photoactive layers. The aim of the project is to understand the relationship between the fabrication process and the resulting structures based on the fundamental physical and material properties.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
16. PhD Program in Influence of Interfaces in Solid State Lithium-Ion Batteries on their performance
About PhD Position
Nowadays, Lithium-Ion batteries are inevitable in our daily life. But still, safety hazards remain an issue and incidents of burning electric vehicles and laptops are reported. The main reason for this is the usage of inflammable organic liquid electrolytes. Solid state electrolytes provide the option to increase not only the safety, but also the long term stability and energy density. The challenge in solid state batteries are the interfaces, as a solid-solid contact is more difficult to maintain during cycling. The interfaces are exposed to mechanical stress but also chemical reactions and diffusion may occur.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
17. PhD Program in Investigation of the stability and corrosion behavior of uranium nitrides
About PhD Position
Innovative nuclear reactor concepts are currently intensively discussed internationally. For the operation of most of these concepts novel fuels are envisaged, in particular materials with a matrix of uranium nitride (UN) due to their good thermophysical properties. In addition to their suitability as nuclear fuel, the stability of the materials in contact with aqueous solutions, among other things, is of great interest for the safety assessment of a repository. At IEK-6, such investigations are being carried out to maintain competence as part of the European collaborative project FREDMANS. The work is carried out in close cooperation with European partners. One focus is on the investigation of the oxidation behavior under conditions relevant for interim storage, as well as the conversion of the nitride matrix into an oxide matrix.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
18. PhD Program in High-performance Simulation and Optimization of Energy Systems
About PhD Position
In response to the urgent demands arising from climate change in an ever-growing global economy, as well as the goal of reducing dependence on imported energy sources and raw materials, the European energy system is facing a paradigm shift: away from a system based on the import of fossil fuels and relying on centralized utilities operated by large power plants, towards a dynamic, supply- and demand-driven approach, often organized in local energy communities where renewable energy is the main source. To maintain an efficient, sustainable, and stable energy supply, the integration of different infrastructures such as the electricity, gas and heat sectors and the fluctuating availability of energy pose complex challenges for both the European energy system and local energy systems.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
19. PhD Program in Optimal control theory for full-stack superconducting quantum processor
About PhD Position
The Peter Grünberg Institute for Quantum Control (PGI-8) at the Forschungszentrum Jülich specializes in novel optimization strategies for emerging quantum technologies. These emerging technologies aim to provide transformative changes to our society, including how we think about information, and unlocking vast calculations for the natural sciences, logistical problem solving, and high-performance computation. Our group has pioneered the application of quantum optimal control methods to quantum computation and many-body quantum systems. This includes the development of physical models and model reduction techniques as well as algorithmic advances of in-situ optimization and machine learning to tackle the complex processes inherent to scalable quantum devices.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
20. PhD Program in Development of new UHV Technologies for the “Einstein Telescope for Graviational Waves Detection”
About PhD Position
Gravitational waves are detected by laser interferometers based on the concept of the Michelson Interferometer. The ET will include six of those interferometers with arm lengths of 10 km each in an underground, triangular configuration. To avoid interaction of the laser beams with air or any residual gas the laser beams will travel in ultrahigh vacuum tubes (UHV) with a diameter of approximately 1 m. In total, there will be 120 km of those tubes. It will be by far the largest UHV system ever built. You will work on the design of the vacuum system.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
21. PhD Program in Molecular-Beam Epitaxy of Magnetically-Doped Topological Insulators
About PhD Position
Topological insulators (TIs) in combination with superconductors (SCs) have a great potential for the realization of next-generation quantum bits. These quantum bits rely on the manipulation of so-called Majorana excitations, and they are deemed to outperform existing qubits in terms of fault-tolerant computation. Besides conventional TI/SC structures, magnetically doped TIs have a great prospect for the realization of qubits. For example EuSe/TI superlattices are expected to host Majorana excitations, and such structures may be exploited in future quantum computation devices.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
22. PhD Program in Cryo-EM of membrane remodeling proteins
About PhD Position
For the Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons under the direction of Prof. Sachse, you will be working on cryo-EM studies of membrane remodelling proteins in the field of Structural Biology at our institute. The Sachse lab recently determined a series of cryo-EM structures of bacterial as well as eukaryotic members of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) protein family. In order to gain a deep structural understanding, we biochemically purify and reconstitute ESCRT protein complexes in lipid environments and visualize them by cryo-EM methods. You will be working in a network of membrane biological research and latest cryo-EM infrastructure.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
23. PhD Program in From controlling quantum processors to variational quantum algorithms
About PhD Position
The Peter Grünberg Institute for Quantum Control (PGI-8) at the Forschungszentrum Jülich specializes in novel optimization strategies for emerging quantum technologies. These emerging technologies aim to provide transformative changes to our society, including how we think about information, and unlocking vast calculations for the natural sciences, logistical problem solving, and high-performance computation. Our group has pioneered the application of quantum optimal control methods to quantum computation and many-body quantum systems. This includes the development of physical models and model reduction techniques as well as algorithmic advances of in-situ optimization and machine learning to tackle the complex processes inherent to scalable quantum devices.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
24. PhD Program in Sustainable polymers and membranes for fuel cells and water electrolysis
About PhD Position
You will be part of the department “Electrocatalytic Interfacial Engineering”, headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Simon Thiele, in the team “Membrane Processing and Synthesis”, headed by Dr. Jochen Kerres. The department focuses on the production, analysis and simulation of functionally optimal structures from the nanometer scale to the micrometer scale in electrochemically active materials as well as the production of new materials for electrode ionomers and polymer electrolyte membranes.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
25. PhD Program in Thermophoresis of ionic (bio-)compounds and chelating agents
About PhD Position
Thermophoresis or thermodiffusion describes the coupling between a temperature gradient and the resulting mass flow in a multicomponent system. The effect is discussed in connection with the question of the “origin of life” and is used as a powerful sensor to determine the binding constants of protein-ligand systems. Thermophoretic study of ions reveals ion-specific hydration, which is crucial for biological information processes. The goal of this project is to gain a better microscopic understanding through systematic studies of the thermodiffusion of salt solutions and chelating agents used to control ions. The results obtained will be used to improve and develop new theoretical concepts for the underlying physical mechanism.
Application Deadline: Open until filled
26. PhD Program in Microfluidic single-cell analysis of microbial co-cultures
About PhD Position
In the framework of the Collaborative Research Center “MibiNet” of the Universities Düsseldorf, RWTH Aachen, Cologne and several research centers, we are looking for interdisciplinary team players, especially (bio)engineers or microsystems engineers, for the project “Race for Iron”. At the Institute of Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Biotechnology (IBG-1) of Forschungszentrum Jülich, you will develop innovative single-cell experiments for microbial mixed cultures. As a pioneer, you will analyze bacteria in a competition for microstructured iron oxide resources under well-controlled environmental conditions. High-resolution microscopy and the deep-learning image analysis will enable temporal and spatial analysis of yet unknown interactions. Within MibiNet you will be part of a large multidisciplinary research consortia in which single-cell analysis plays a central role and exciting collaborations to explore microbial networks are expected. Your position will be integrated into the graduate college “MibiNext” to prepare you for this research endeavor.
Application Deadline: Open until filled