The main tasks include:

• Testing and extensive spectroscopic characterization of existing and new catalyst systems for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen as part of the HyPerCat research group.
• Nanoparticle based catalyst systems will be prepared, thoroughly tested and characterized (e.g. with XRD, BET, IR, EXAFS, SAXS, etc.). Reaction / measurement cells and test setups will be developed and built.
• Operando techniques based on X-ray spectroscopy / scattering and infrared spectroscopy will be applied for knowledge-based catalyst development. The overall aim is to develop structure-activity correlations in order to determine the reaction mechanism of the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide.
• The results will be published in form of articles in scientific journals and presented at conferences.

We offer the opportunity for a part-time doctoral thesis.

We require:

• a university degree (Master / Diploma (Uni)) in Chemistry, Material Science, Physics or Chemical Engineering
• knowledge of general chemistry, physics, material science, physical chemistry, heterogeneous catalysis and spectroscopy 
• fluent English

Desirable:

• experience with design and construction of catalytic test setups and measurement cells
• experience with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR, DRIFTS), and programming in Python
• knowledge of chemical engineering

Salary

Salary category 13, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.