Postdoc - Water and Magnetic Dynamics at Nanostructured Interfaces - Qens and Ins

Understanding the fundamental physicochemical properties of energy materials is crucial to a sustainable design of our environment. At the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science - Neutron Analytics for Energy Research (JCNS-3), we aim to address the dynamic, structural and electronic properties of energy materials and nanostructured interfaces employing neutron spectroscopy. Examples of our research interests covered through this position are i) the diffusion dynamics of water and small ligand molecules on the surface of metal oxide nanoparticles, ii) distinction of coexisting magnetic excitations in iron oxide nanoparticle as observed via QENS and INS, and iii) the binding states of adsorbate molecules on catalyst surfaces.

**Your Job**:

- QENS and INS experiments to investigate the diffusion dynamics of water and ligand molecules on metal oxide nanoparticle surfaces, accompanied by complementary experimental techniques or theoretical simulations
- Characterization of the magnetic modes in iron oxide nanoparticles using neutron spectroscopy
- Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of iron and metal oxide nanoparticles
- Participation in experiments as well as design and construction of instruments and/or sample environments with practical work at neutron sources
- Supervision of MSc and BSc students
- Presentation of research results at conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Establishment of cooperation projects with other institutes at Forschungszentrum Jülich

**Your Profile**:
Required qualifications and skills:

- Masters and subsequent PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science or related disciplines
- Experience in neutron spectroscopy, e.g. INS, QENS, NSE
- Good knowledge of the structural characterization of matter with e.g. powder diffraction
Experience with wet chemical synthesis, e.g. nanoparticles

A distinct advantage would be:

- Experience with high-level programming languages, e.g. Python
- Knowledge in magnetism
- A good command of written and spoken English
- The ability to work independently, along with a highly motivated and creative approach to research
- Demonstrated teamwork, cooperation and communication skills
- Previous supervision of graduate students, as well as laboratory or instrument responsibilities

**Our Offer**:
We work on highly pertinent, socially relevant topics and offer the opportunity to actively shape this change.

We support you in your work through:

- Access to a strong research network at the FZJ, such as transmission electron microscopy at the Ernst-Ruska-Zentrum, the Julich Supercomputing Centre, the Neutron-SimLab or various physicochemical characterization methods and workshops.
- The opportunity to help shape a new department.
- Access to the infrastructure of the Institute of Crystallography, RWTH Aachen University.
- Comprehensive training programs and individual opportunities for personal and professional development
- Comprehensive company health management
- Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life as well as a family-conscious company policy
- 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
- The opportunity to work flexibly (in terms of location), e.g. from home (partly)
- A large research campus in the countryside, which offers the best opportunities to network with colleagues and to do sports outside of work
- Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: