Postdoc - Thermochemical Operando Synchrotron XAS and AI-Enhanced Reactor Engineering for Advanced LOHC (De)hydrogenation Catalysts (within the SNU/FZJ Energy Fellow Program)
The SNU/FZJ Energy Fellow Program is a prestigious international postdoctoral research program between Seoul National University (SNU) in South Korea and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ). The two-year program offers the opportunity to conduct research at both institutions, starting with a one-year employment at FZJ, followed by a second year at Seoul National University in Seoul under a separate one-year employment at SNU (or vice versa).
This position is joint between FZJ’s institute division "Catalytic Materials for Chemical Hydrogen Storage" (IHE-2), led by Prof. Dr. Regina Palkovits and Prof. Sangwook Park from SNU.
The goal of this research topic is to understand dynamic active-site transformations and kinetic degradation mechanisms in liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) systems by combining custom operando XAS reactor design, precision catalyst synthesis, and AI-driven data analysis.
Your Job
- LOHC Catalyst Synthesis & System Optimization: Synthesize and characterize novel, low-precious-metal catalysts tailored for efficient LOHC hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes, leveraging Dr. Regina Palkovits’s pioneering approaches in sustainable chemical hydrogen storage
- Operando XAS Reactor Engineering: Design and construct specialized thermochemical flow reactor systems optimized for synchrotron in situ / in operando XAS measurements under realistic temperature, pressure, and dynamic fluid conditions
- Multimodal Ex/In Situ Characterization: Correlate local electronic and atomic structure evolution (via operando XAS) with macro-scale catalyst performance, using comprehensive ex situ X-ray and electron microscopy techniques to identify deactivation and restructuring pathways at the catalyst–LOHC interface
- AI-Driven Data Analytics & Computer Vision: Integrate AI models for automated processing and feature extraction of high-throughput synchrotron XAS spectra and experimental microscopic images, accelerating the discovery of structure–property–activity descriptors for high-durability LOHC catalysts
Your Profile
- Master's degree with PhD in physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related disciplines
- Experience in energy science
- Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the [CEFR](https://go.fzj.de/languagerequirements))
- Very independent and self-motivated way of working but also excellent teamwork skills
- High motivation to take on responsibility and develop your own research ideas
- Willingness for regular business trips
Our Benefits for You
- Meaningful tasks: The position offers a varied and diverse role in an international environment
- Work-life balance: Optimal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly company policy. The option of flexible working (in terms of location) is generally available after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
- Vacation: You will receive 30 days of vacation plus additional days off (e.g. between Christmas and New Year's)
- Flexibility: Flexible working time models, [including options close to full-time](https://go.fzj.de/near-full-time), allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs
- Knowledge & further training: Your professional development is important to us – we provide targeted, individual support
- Health & well-being: Your health is important to us. You can look forward to a comprehensive occupational health management program with a wide range of offerings - e.g., a beach volleyball court, running groups, yoga classes, and much more. In addition, our company medical service and an experienced social counseling team are available to assist you on site
- Successful start: It is impor