The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology (Prof. Dr. G. Cuniberti) offers a position as Research Associate (m/f/x) (subject to personal qualification employees are remunerated according to salary group E 13 TV-L) starting at earliest possible date. The project is limited to a duration of 36 months. The period of employment is governed by Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The compatibility of family and career is a high priority. In principle, the position is also suitable for part-time employees. Please note this request in your application.

The research activities within “KoMMet” are aimed at the basic development and the laboratory implementation of a novel technology for sustainable and low-energy water remediation based on photocatalysis stimulated by daylight. To this end, translucent metal foams with defined porosity and specific surface area are to be coated with lanthanide-based upconversion microcrystals (UCMKs) with a higher specific surface area in collaboration with our project partners. This novel coating is able to convert the photons of daylight into high-energy short-wave UV photons, which can form hydroxyl radicals on the UCMKs when they come into contact with water. These radicals can photocatalytically degrade the organic compounds in the wastewater with high efficiency (>95 %).
The tasks are:
• Development and technological implementation of UCMKs with optimized photon conversion
• Development of strategies for tailoring the surface functionality of UCMKs and for docking the UCMKs to the surfaces of metal foams
• Conducting photocatalytic tests with the functionalized metal foams in the presence of model pollutants (antibiotics, dyes, bacteria)
• In-situ spectroscopic characterization of the new materials to determine performance indicators of the new water treatment technology

University degree in physics, chemistry, materials science or related discipline with a minimum grade of “good”; expertise in the synthesis of nanoparticles/microcrystals and ligand systems as well as in photocatalysis; innovative and analytical thinking, creativity and organizational skills in interdisciplinary and cross-institutional project work; excellent communication skills and writing of publications/presentations in English; high level of commitment and ability to work in a team as well as independently. Interdisciplinary thinking and team-oriented work are important prerequisites. The successful candidate will be fully integrated into the research activities of the project partners. We are looking for first-class, committed and proactive dynamic scientists who want to make a name for themselves in science.

TUD strives to employ more women in academia and research. We therefore expressly encourage women to apply. The University is a certified family-friendly university and offers a Dual Career Service. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. If multiple candidates prove to be equally qualified, those with disabilities or with equivalent status pursuant to the German Social Code IX (SGB IX) will receive priority for employment.

Please submit your detailed application with the motivation letter, CV, university degrees, reference letters by 07.08.2024 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service or the time stamp on the email server of TUD applies) as a single pdf to: jobs.nano@tu-dresden.de with the subject: “Application KoMMet, YOUR_NAME”, or to: TU Dresden, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Prof. Dr. G. Cuniberti, Helmholtzstr. 10, 01069 Dresden. Please submit copies only, as your application will not be returned to you. Expenses incurred in attending interviews cannot be reimbursed.