GRK 2948 (Hamburg): Molecular simulations of (semi-)conducting polymers: towards the meso-scale
Doctoral candidate in GRK 2948
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Publication date: Nov 18, 2025
Position-ID: 1777 Faculty/ Facility: SC SimTech Institute/ Facility: Research Association: GRK 2948: Mixed Ionic-Electronic Transport Teaching Obligation: Yes Application deadline: 03/11/2026 Anticipated Start Date: 04/01/2026
About Us
The DFG-funded Research Training Group "Mixed Ionic-Electronic Transport" (GRK 2948) is an interdisciplinary structured doctoral programme at Heidelberg University and the University of Stuttgart. We explore how ions and electrons interact with each other in organic, hybrid and nanoscale materials with the aim to create new functionalities for sensors, soft actuators and bioelectronics.
Pursuing a doctoral degree within this Research Training Group offers you a combination of fundamental and applied research topics, close collaboration across disciplines in a collaborative and diverse environment, exchanges with international partners and a tailored qualification programme. It will enable you to pursue a successful career within the fast-expanding field of mixed ionic-electronic conductors, which are applied in functional opto-electronic, electrochemical, and bioelectronic devices.
Exciting research projects from theory to synthesis and device engineering are either located at Heidelberg University or the University of Stuttgart.
More Information List of all available GRK 2948 projects
Your Tasks
Project Description
Semiconducting polymers are a special class of materials that combine the electrical properties of semiconductors with the mechanical flexibility and processing advantages of polymers. One prominent example is PEDOT:PSS, a complex where positively charged poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) chains are balanced by negatively charged poly(styrenesulfonate), chains, which is commonly used as a conductive polymer in organic electronics. Oxidation removes electrons from the PEDOT backbone, generating positive charges (polarons or bipolarons) on PEDOT, increasing its electrical conductivity drastically.
In this project, we aim at subsequent scale-bridging for such materials by combining machine-learned interatomic potentials and grand-canonical simulation approaches to study the oxidation dynamics and subsequent counter-ion uptake with coarse-grained descriptions of the polymers and solute/solvent dynamics on a lattice. This will allow for humidity- or potential-dependent study of the dynamical and mechanical properties of such soft functional materials in close contact with the experimental groups in the RTG.
Applicants should have a background in physics, theoretical chemistry, nano- or materials science, especially invoking knowledge in machine learning, soft matter and statistical mechanics, but elementary knowledge of fluid mechanics is also beneficial.
Main Advisor: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Alexander Schlaich
Research Group Website
Location/Institute: Hamburg University of Technology, Institute for Physics of Functional Materials, Am Schwarzenbergcampus 3 (E), 21073 Hamburg, Germany
Your Profile
General requirements
Very good Master's degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, materials sciences/engineering or similar subject
Being able to work and communicate in interdisciplinary and international research environments
Excellent English skills (written, verbal)
Commitment to a structured doctoral programme with additional courses, events, outreach activities, and opportunities for collaborations
Previous research experience in any related field is highly welcome
Documents to be provided as pdfs:
Bachelor and Master certificates (in English or German) with transcripts
Curriculum vitae (max 3 pages)
One-page motivation letter, explaining your reasons for wanting to join this RTG, please specify and explain your choice of project
Letter of recommendation from the supervisor of your master thesis (if available)
Submit your documents by 15th December 2025 (latest)
You might be invited for online and on-site interviews depending on pre-screening.
Your Benefits
We offer temporary employment contracts for up to 42 months (75% TVL-E13) starting in April 2026. Enrolment to pursue a doctoral degree at the corresponding faculties based on their requirements is mandatory in addition to joining the Research Training Group.
Heidelberg University and the University of Stuttgart stand for equal opportunities and diversity. Qualified female candidates are especially invited to apply. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are equally qualified. Information on the collection of personal data is available at Job market Heidelberg University.
Note: The workplace of this position is located (entirely or in parts) at Hamburg University of Technology, Institute for Physics of Functional Materials.
Employment and compensation information
Maximal Funding Period or Duration of Employment: 42 months
Type of Funding: Doctoral Project (so far without funding)
Compensation:
Percentage of weekly working hours (usually 39.5h = 100%): 75% EG TV-L 13
Employment at the cooperation partner: No
Location: Other
If Location other than Stuttgart or additional location(s): Hamburg University of Technology, Institute for Physics of Functional Materials
Contact Details
Contact person: Dr. Sebastian Grieger
Mail: -
Phone:
Website:
At the University of Stuttgart, we actively promote diversity among our employees. We have set ourselves the goal of recruiting more female scientists and employing more people with an international background, as well as people with disabilities. We are therefore particularly pleased to receive applications from such people. Regardless, we welcome any good application.
Women who apply will be given preferential consideration in areas in which they are underrepresented, provided they have the same aptitude, qualifications and professional performance. Severely disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be given priority.
As a certified family-friendly university, we support the compatibility of work and family, and of professional and private life in general, through various flexible modules. We have an employee health management system that has won several awards and offer our employees a wide range of continuing education programs. We are consistantly improving our accessibility. Our Welcome Center helps international scientists get started in Stuttgart. We support partners of new professors and managers with a dual-career program.
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