Reference no.: HI 2026/9
Achieving climate-neutrality within the next 20 years necessitates an innovation boost for the development of highly efficient, scalable, low-cost, and sustainably produced energy technologies. Polymer materials play a central role in this process. Energy storage and conversion materials, particularly sustainable batteries, play a central role in this context.
HIPOLE Jena integrates and expands world-class expertise in polymer chemistry, materials science, high-throughput experiments, and artificial intelligence with complementary expertise in inorganic/hybrid materials, scalable devices, and advanced characterization.
We are currently seeking a PhD student (m/f/d) for our Jena location. You have the opportunity to support a young institute with your ideas and expertise, and you will collaborate with researchers from around the world to contribute to the development of a climate-friendly future. The research focuses on modeling polymeric materials for energy applications, particularly self-healing materials, using methods from theoretical chemistry and materials modeling.
For more information on each thematic focus, please visit Homepage – HIPOLE Jena.
Your Tasks
- Theoretical investigation of chemical processes in self-healing polymers, e.g., conjugated polymers
- Elucidation of self-healing mechanisms and calculation of relevant parameters
- Development of an efficient screening method for evaluating and optimizing self-healing materials for battery applications
- Derivation of structure-property relationships and comparison of theoretical results with experimental data
- Methods: quantum chemical methods, in particular density functional theory, semi-empirical methods, as well as wavefunction-based methods, molecular dynamics, and machine learning will be employed
- Results are to be documented, evaluated, and subsequently published
- Close collaboration with the experimental research groups at HIPOLE Jena
- Supervision of bachelor’s and master’s students
- Summary, presentation, and publication of the results in English
Your Profile
- Successful master’s degree in chemistry or a comparable field of study
- Extensive and proven experience in organic chemistry and/or polymer chemistry or catalysis
- Experience with analytical methods for polymer characterization
- Very good written and spoken English skills
You demonstrate a high level of commitment, initiative, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to familiarize yourself with diverse areas of responsibility. You are characterized by your teamwork skills, reliability, independence, and communication abilities (including proficiency in English).
You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary, international team within a diverse and dynamic work environment.
Your Benefits at HZB
- International/diversity-sensitive working environment at a Helmholtz Institute
- Opportunity to contribute to the development of novel materials and technological solutions for a climate-neutral future together with top international researchers
- Career-enhancing networking opportunities and individual support and assistance programmes
- Good work-life balance through counselling services on family and career and flexible working time models: Flexible working hours, the possibility to work remotely
- 30 days paid leave
- Health management, company pension scheme (VBL), subsidy for the Deutschlandticket/Jobticket
- Long-term prospects, opportunities for further development/training programmes
- Payment in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund)
Fixed term contract for 36 months. The salary is based on the Collective Agreement for the German Public Service (TVöD-Bund).
How to apply
We look forward to receiving your application via our application management system by 27.08.2026. For reasons of data protection regulations, we are unfortunately unable to consider applications that reach us by 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.