PhD Student (f/m/d) in Photoelectrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction

Reference No.: CE 2026/1

As Investigator Group Oxygen Evolution Mechanism Engineering at HZB, we rationally design new electrocatalyst materials. We are currently working together as a small team of three PhD students and two postdocs to uncover the fundamental mechanisms of green fuels and sustainable chemical production. As part of your PhD project, which is part of the DFG Priority Programme "Nitroconversion", SPP 2370, you will support our team by conducting photoelectrocatalytic investigations on nanodiamonds and linking the results to changes in the band structure and the adsorbates. Your PhD project will also be carried out in collaboration with two project partners. In this project, you will serve as an important liaison between material preparation and the laboratory testing of the most promising material candidates under applied conditions. The position is based in Berlin.

Your Tasks

• You will conduct electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic experiments to understand nitrogen reduction to ammonia on nanodiamonds, including impedance spectroscopy and an electrochemical quartz microbalance.
• You will characterize the electrocatalyst material using laboratory methods (XPS, UV-Vis) and synchrotron methods.
• You will quantify the ammonia produced using UV-Vis spectroscopy and electrochemical detection.
• You will work closely with the project partners.
• You will publish the project results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present them at conferences and workshops.

Your Profile

• You have a university degree in materials science, physics, chemistry, or a comparable field with an above-average master's degree or equivalent qualification.
• You have previous experience with scientific publications in journals.
• You have practical experience with electrochemical and photoelectrochemical methods, ideally for investigating catalysts, and in-depth expertise in electrochemistry.
• You're experienced in characterizing the band structures of semiconductors.
• You have a proven ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international team.
• Your English skills are at C1 level, and ideally you also have German skills at B2 level.

Your Benefits

As an employer, your well-being and a good balance between work and private life are important to us. That’s why we offer you a wide range of benefits.

• The opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative materials and technological solutions for a climate-neutral future in cooperation with leading international researchers
• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work remotely
• Career-enhancing networking opportunities, individual guidance, and support through our Graduate Centre and Postdoc Office
• 30 days of vacation per year and attractive remuneration according to the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD Bund), plus company pension plan
• Advisory services on family and career matters through our Office for Work & Life
• Subsidy for public transport “Deutschlandticket Job” and exclusive employee discounts
• Relocation support from non-EU countries
• German courses for all proficiency levels

Fixed term contract for 48 months. The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).

How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

• Cover letter describing your research interest, particularly regarding nitrogen reduction
• CV including the stages of your career and your research experience
• Your academic certificates
• The contact details of at least one academic reference

We look forward to receiving your application via our application management system by 22.03.2026. For reasons of data protection regulations, we are unfortunately unable to consider applications that reach us by any other means (such as email or mail) in the application process.

We very much want our workplace to be diverse and welcome applications from people with different backgrounds. It is our mission to promote equal opportunities and to improve women’s representation in the workforce. We are therefore very interested in receiving applications from women. Where the qualifications are met, we will give preference to people with disabilities.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH
Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, 14109 Berlin
www.helmholtz-berlin.de

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Climate change poses serious challenges to the whole world.
At Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, we are researching materials for a climate-neutral future. 1400 employees from all over the world are working together at HZB towards this goal. Join us, and help us achieve it!
Learn more about HZB on our website.

CONTACT

Dr. Marcel Risch
+49 30 8062 42609
marcel.risch@helmholtz-berlin.de

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