Area of research:
Other
Starting date:
30.07.2025
Job description:
We are advertising the university professorship (W3) for Physical Chemistry of Microscopic Systems, we seek an outstanding researcher having a high reputation in the area of the spectroscopic / spectrometric characterization of structures and dynamics of microscopic systems The applicant should be able to represent the full scope of the subject of physical chemistry within the context of both research and academic education.
The Professor should focus on scientific work on in-depth understanding and manipulation of atomic and molecular aggregates of variable dimensions in the gas phase and on surfaces. Of particular interest is the application and further development of spectroscopic / spectrometric methods to characterize and study dynamic processes, such as chemical reactions, ionization processes, and energy transfer in excited systems. Examples are single-molecule spectroscopy in optical cavities, non-linear laser spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and tunnelling spectroscopy studies.
Applicants are expected to work in the following areas: Spectroscopy under extreme conditions, e.g. of isolated ions at low temperatures in ion traps and/or of microscopic amounts of condensed matter at high pressures. These studies can be complemented by time and spatially resolved spectroscopy in order to study for example energy transfer and quantum phenomena in light-harvesting complexes as well as catalytically relevant processes.
The candidate is expected to have a comprehensive understanding of modern spectroscopic / spectrometric measurements and modelling methods. Collaboration with existing and future research groups at KIT is desired. Examples are collaboration on heterogeneous catalysis for emission control or energy storage, quantum technologies based on molecular quantum states, 4f molecular chemistry, in addition to establishing the use of AI-controlled autonomous laboratories.
The university professorship is part of the collegial leadership of the Institute of Physical Chemistry.
This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group, for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.
Company info
Telephone
0049-30-206329-0
Location
Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany