Tasso Springer Fellowships - Three PhD Positions in Neutron Research

Role: Tasso Springer Fellowships - Three PhD Positions in Neutron Research
Organization: Forschungszentrum Jülich (Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres)
Location: Garching (München) or Jülich, Germany
Contract Type: Fixed-term (3 years)
Salary: Pay group 13 (75%) TVöD-Bund, including year-end bonus and capital-forming benefits

Job Overview:
The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) invites applications for the Tasso Springer Fellowship Program, named after the outstanding neutron scientist who bridged neutron research in Jülich to Garching and Grenoble. The PhD fellowships aim at educating the next generation of researchers in neutron scattering. Successful candidates will be jointly supervised by scientists based at the outstation in Garching and at the JCNS institutes in Jülich. The JCNS develops and operates high-performance neutron scattering instruments at some of the best neutron sources worldwide, with a main outstation at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching near Munich.

Responsibilities:
The position involves three specific PhD projects realized in close cooperation between the JCNS at the Heinz-Maier Leibnitz Center in Garching and the JCNS institutes in Jülich. Candidates must specify which project they are interested in during the application process.

Project Topics:
1. Project 4: Experimental and numerical investigation of the heat flow generated by magnetic nanoparticles inside a solvent for medical therapy (JCNS-2)
2. Project 5: Interfacial structure of citrate on magnetite and its hydration state (JCNS-3)
3. Project 6: Dynamics of water and ligand molecules on nanoparticle surfaces via neutron spectroscopy (JCNS-3)

General Duties:
- Hands-on participation in experiments at large-scale facilities.
- Laboratory-based characterization techniques.
- Visualizing, analysis, and interpretation of experimental data.
- Publishing research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Presenting research at conferences.

Requirements and Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in solid state physics, chemistry, crystallography, material science, or a related subject.
- Experience in X-ray or neutron scattering methods.
- Experience in research related to the focus area of the chosen project.
- Experience with analysis of scientific data.
- Scientific programming skills (e.g., Python, Matlab) are an additional asset.
- Independent and responsible way of working, creativity, commitment, high degree of teamwork, and enjoyment of cooperative collaboration.
- Very good command of written and spoken English (at least B2 level according to the CEFR).

Benefits and Offer:
- Access to excellent scientific and technical facilities for research.
- Opportunity to participate in national and international conferences, workshops, and schools to increase scientific network.
- 30 days of annual leave.
- Professional development support, including training and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral candidates (JuDocS).
- Structured training for tasks and support for settling into the team via Welcome Days and Welcome Guide.
- Fair remuneration according to pay group 13 (75%) of the TVöD-Bund collective agreement, including a year-end bonus (75% of a monthly salary) and capital-forming benefits.
- Collegial working environment with a focus on diversity and equal opportunities.