job – Academic Europe

Physicist, materials scientist or similar (f/m/x) with a doctorate

6949

A reliable, demand-orientated, environmentally friendly and cost-effective energy supply forms the basis for sustainable social development. We have set ourselves the task of developing highperformance thermoelectric modules and generators (TEG) that convert (waste) heat into electrical energy in mobile or stationary applications. Thermal sensors and Peltier heat pumps for a wide range of applications in vehicle technology, energy systems and aerospace are also the subject of our research.

The position is part of the binational DFG project "Entropy engineering and interface optimisation in materials for highly effective thermoelectric energy conversion", which is being carried out in cooperation between the DLR Institute of Materials Research, the AGH Krakow and the University of Duisburg-Essen. The aim of the project is to develop highly effective thermoelectric materials and components based on environmentally friendly and readily available starting materials. In particular, the aim is to characterise and control micro- and nanoscale interface properties, both within the thermoelectric material and between the thermoelectric material and contact metals.

The tasks include, among other things

synthesis of thermoelectric semiconductor materials (e.g. Mg2 Si-based) using melting or powder metallurgical processes
coating/contacting of thermoelectric materials
characterisation of thermoelectric samples with regard to microstructure (SEM, EDX, XRD), composition and electrical and thermal transport properties
evaluation of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning Kelvin microscopy measurements (carried out at the University of Duisburg-Essen)
development of local and integral transport models taking into account the electronic band structure on the basis of the measurement results
processing of the results and publication in the form of conference papers and scientific publications
supervision of master's theses, support for doctoral theses

Your qualifications:

Master's or diploma degree in a natural science or engineering field/subject, e.g. materials science, physics, or similar
very good PhD, Dr. rer. nat., Dr. Ing. or comparable
more than 3 scientific peer-reviewed publications
very good knowledge of written and spoken English
experience in the synthesis and microstructural characterisation of functional materials (SEM, XRD, EDX, AFM...)
sound knowledge of semiconductor physics and solid-state physics
ability to work in an international team of scientists, technicians and students
experience in the field of thermoelectrics is a plus
hands-on experience in the calculation of solid-state properties based on density functional theory is an advantage
experience in the automated processing of data is a plus
experience in the use of AI-based tools is an advantage
basic experience in measurement technology is a plus
interest in international co-operations is an advantage
knowledge of a programming language (Python, MATLAB) is a plus
good knowledge of written and spoken German is an advantage

Your benefits:

Look forward to a fulfilling job with an employer who appreciates your commitment and supports your personal and professional development. Our unique infrastructure offers you a working environment in which you have unparalleled scope to develop your creative ideas and accomplish your professional objectives. Our human resources policy places great value on a healthy family and work-life-balance as well as equal opportunities for persons of all genders (f/m/x). Individuals with disabilities will be given preferential consideration in the event their qualifications are equivalent to those of other candidates.