The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.
The Carl-Zeiss Foundation funded Nexus Research Group of Dr. Desirée Leistenschneider, located at the Institute for Technical Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry seeks to fill the position of a
PostDoc Position for the development of Al-N2 batteries
commencing on 1st of January, 2026
We offer a full-time position (40 hours per week TV-L E13) offered as a fixed-term position for 2 years.
The research group is seeking an excellent and enthusiastic PostDoc for high-risk-high reward research in the field of Al-N2 batteries, as a novel type of metal-gas batteries. The junior research group focusses on the development of the Al-N2 battery, a battery type that has not been extensively researched yet. The group researches anodes, cathodes based on carbon materials and the cell engineering to enable the electrochemical fixation of molecular N2 to produce energy. This rather new research field enables many opportunities to development creativity, problem-solving skills, and the possibility to work on an unexplored research topic. The research on this high-risk high gain project can lead to ground-breaking findings and will play a significant role to further understand the electrochemical utilization of N2 gas using carbon-based materials.
Your responsibilities:
The PostDoc project is framed on the new Nexus program funded research project “ReAlBatt” (https://www.carl-zeiss-stiftung.de/uebersicht-projekte/detail/design-of-carbon-derived-electrode-materials-towards-rechargeable-al-n2-batteries) and the specific objective is to understand the electrochemical mechanism of the N2 fixation at the cathode side within the Al-N2 battery when using N-rich carbon cathodes in order to improve rechargeability of the battery.
The work of the candidate will mainly involve:
1. Synthesis of electrode materials based on carbons and carbon-carbon nitride hybrids.
2. Characterization of post mortem electrodes via various spectroscopic and diffractive methods after application in Al-N2 batteries
3. Studying the electrochemical processes within the battery via different electrochemical methods such as impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry a.s.o..
4. Supporting PhD students for the development of operando techniques for operando investigations at the cathode side.
5. Contribute to sharing your knowledge through publications, conference presentations, and outreach activities
6. Active collaborations with PhDs within the project and support Master and Bachelor thesis projects.\
Your profile:
7. A strong interest in electrochemistry and metal-gas batteries is paramount
8. Candidates should be open for working interdisciplinarily and collaboratively
9. PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Nanoscience, Material Science, or a related discipline
10. Experience with programming (Python, Perl, C++, R) can be beneficial
11. Experience in supervision of students and independent research work is desired
12. Excellent English language skills (writing and talking)
13. Open mind-set and feel excitement for risky and unexplored research fields
14. A positive personality and being a team player
Are you hesitating because you don't meet one or some of our requirements? Please do not hesitate to apply and give us a chance to get to know you.
We offer:
15. An exciting field of employment and autonomous work at one of the largest employers in Thuringia and a work that includes a lot of freedom for creativity and self-development.
16. Participation in diverse experimental and theoretical research projects with a strong interdisciplinary nature.
17. Excellent equipment and infrastructure in modern laboratories
18. A position within an international and diverse research team
19. The chance to help shape pioneering developments at a modern and at the same time traditional university covering all disciplines
20. Flexible working hours
21. A Graduate Academy for doctoral candidates and postdocs;
22. A family-friendly working environment with a variety of offers for families: University Family Office ‘JUniFamilie’ and flexible childcare (‘JUniKinder);
23. University health promotion and a wide range of university sports activities;
24. Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) at a salary scale 13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
25. 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31
The advertised position is offered as a fixed-term position for a maximum of 2 years.
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week).
Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.