The Institute of Surface Science of Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon is looking for a Young Investigator Group Leader in the area of in situ surface analytics. The position is initially limited to four years with the option of permanent employment in the event of a positive evaluation. The position can be filled part-time in principle.

Equality of opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position.

The newly launched Institute of Surface Science is extending its expertise to the areas of advanced in situ analytical characterization of materials degradation, buried interface formation, electrified interfaces, atmospheric corrosion and degradation of protective coatings. This position is equal to a position of Young Investigator Group Leader who can bring new expertise and gradually develop their own research group aligned with the research interests and project demands of the Institute of Surface Science.

Your tasks

• run high quality scientific research in the field of corrosion and material degradation
• understand mechanism of corrosion of magnesium, aluminum, zinc, copper, titanium and other metallic material in complex and varying environments
• understand metal-coating interaction at buried interfaces
• study metal degradation in non-aqueous electrolytes
• understand mechanisms of corrosion acceleration, inhibition, and protection
• study active protection mechanisms of relevant coatings
• employ at least some of the available characterization methods: electrochemical and environmental TEM, (environmental) XPS, in situ XRD, GDOES, in situ X-ray nano-micro-tomography, in situ neutron scattering, ATR-FTIR, AFM (including electrochemical and SKPFM) and other relevant methods for listed research topics
• acquire relevant scientific equipment
• maintain existing scientific equipment
• regularly attract third-party funding by applying for national and European research projects
• provide guidance to PhD students
• collaborate with institute members and project partners
• regularly publish in journals with medium and high impact factor
• present scientific results at international conferences, workshops and internal seminars

Your profile

• PhD in materials science, materials chemistry, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics or equivalent
• excellent expertise in relevant research fields, including: corrosion, electrochemistry, materials degradation, chemistry, physics, coating technologies, surface science and adjacent research areas
• profound knowledge of at least one or several advanced in situ analytical methods, such as (environmental) XPS, in situ XRD, GDOES, electrochemical TEM, in situ X-ray nano-micro-tomography, in situ neutron scattering, ATR-FTIR, AFM (including electrochemical and SKPFM) or other methods relevant for the listed research purposes
• excellent spoken and written English skills
• experience in acquiring financial support via competitive funding
• team player with good communication skills
• motivation to work in an interdisciplinary and international team

These qualifications will be considered an asset:

• AI data-treatment methods applied to corrosion research
• experience with image data analysis
• handling big data sets
• experience with machine learning, informatics
• good communication skills in German

We offer you

• multinational work environment with ca. 1,100 colleagues from more than 50 nations
• extensive options of vocational training (i. a. expert seminars, language courses or leadership seminars)
• flexible working hours and various models to ensure the compatibility of family and career
• excellent infrastructure, including a scientific in-house library as well as modern work spaces
• remuneration according to the standards of the collective wage agreement TV-AVH including further social benefits
• free employee advice - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• childcare offers
• Welcome Office, guest accommodation
• canteen at the Geesthacht location