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In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for a

Three-year PhD position (m/f/x) in ‘Synthesis and atomic-scale characterization of high entropy alloy nanoparticles for electrocatalysis (salary 13 TV-L, 100%)

The chair "Atomic-scale Characterisation" is studying materials at the atomic level. High entropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles have attracted increasing interest in catalyzing heterogeneous solid-liquid reactions. However, the fundamental insights into the interplay of reactivity, structure and composition of HEA electrocatalyst surfaces are far less understood. In particular, it remains challenging to characterize surface compositional and structural changes on the HEA nanoparticles due to complexity induced by multiple elements. This knowledge gap prevents their application for new sustainable energy conversion and storage applications.

In this project, the successful candidate will synthesis high entropy alloy nanoparticles for water electrocatalysis or fuel cell applications (hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution or reduction reaction). Afterward, the candidate will characterize these nanoparticles by a combination of high-end spectroscopy and microscopy techniques such as atom probe tomography, aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy etc. The three-dimensional surface and internal structure and chemistry of catalyst nanoparticles will be revealed, with single atom sensitivity, before and after service. This atomic-scale information will provide a rational guide to nano-engineering catalysts in order to develop cost-effective and high efficiency sustainable energy sources.

Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 3 years
Start: at the earliest possible date
Apply by: 2026-07-12

Your tasks:

• The PhD candidates will work closely with other members in the Chair of Atomic-scale Characterization (). Additionally, the successful candidate will be working in the new research center for interface-dominated high-performance materials (ZGH) at Ruhr University Bochum, which houses a large and comprehensive suite of equipment dedicated to nanostructure analysis; the center is among the best facilities of its kind in the world. He or she will have access to world-class set of laboratories (e.g. glove boxes) and more than 10 major microscopy platforms, including the state-of-the-art atom probe, aberration-corrected TEM and focused ion beam etc.
• Synthesis of high entropy alloy nanoparticles for water electrocatalysis or fuel cell applications (hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution or reduction reaction)
• Carrying out electrochemical measurements of the nanoparticles including CV, LSV, Tafel slopes etc.
• Performing basic characterization such as transmission electron microscopy In-depth characterization of high-end spectroscopy and microscopy techniques such as atom probe tomography, aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy
• Writing the paper and presenting the work in international/national conferences/workshops.

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/a25e69bd77a8ff01e5801738b5216738101a86340?ref=AfA