Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences - Department of Physics 

At the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin), in a joint appointment procedure (“Berliner Modell”) with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) of the Helmholtz Association, a

W2-S Professorship for “Operando electron microscopy”

is to be filled as soon as possible.

HU Berlin is one of the most research-intensive universities in Germany and consistently ranks among the top German universities in international comparisons. It is one of three Universities of Excellence of the Berlin University Alliance. The HZB is an internationally renowned research center that investigates complex material systems that contribute to overcoming the challenges of the energy transition. The focus is on research into materials and storage methods used for energy conversion (especially solar cells, batteries and catalysts), as well as on the interaction of materials with light (especially at the synchrotron radiation source BESSY II) and the further development of accelerator concepts. Together with the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society and HU Berlin, HZB is running the Catlab project founded in December 2021 to research energy-efficient synthesis options for energy storage materials using new approaches in catalysis. As part of this project, various electron microscopes especially suited for operando electron microscopy are operated at the Center for the Science of Materials Berlin and the Department of Physics at HU Berlin.

The professorship is associated with the leadership of a department for operando electron microscopic characterization of energy materials at HZB. The research focus will be on operando techniques in electron microscopy in combination with X-ray microscopic methods. Thus, it defines a crucial component for physics, chemistry and materials science in the Adlershof Microscopy Cluster “Berlin-Adlershof Center for Advanced Microscopy“ that is currently being founded. The main research activity will be the electron microscopic characterization of energy materials such as catalysts, electrode materials and battery components under reaction conditions. Experience in heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis at gas-solid and liquid-solid interfaces is an advantage. In addition, a contribution of 2 hours per week to teaching at the Department of Physics of HU Berlin is expected. 

Significant contributions to the advancement of operando electron microscopy are expected. Experience in leading research groups, managing scientific projects, obtaining third-party funding, and national and international collaborations is also required. Furthermore, a willingness to collaborate with internal and external partners, e.g. in Collaborative Research Centers, Clusters of Excellence, and other research networks, and a motivation to make a sustained contribution to physics education at HU Berlin are expected. Additional responsibilities include the management and development of staff, the promotion of young scientists, and gender-sensitive, diversity-conscious, and sustainability-oriented actions. Contributions to knowledge and technology transfer are highly desirable, initiatives for internationalization are welcome, and participation in committees and commissions is part of the job description. 

The requirements for the appointment according to § 100 of the Berliner Hochschulgesetzes must be met.

HU Berlin and HZB are committed to increasing the proportion of women in research and teaching and strongly encourage qualified women scientists to apply. International applications are welcome. Persons with disabilities will be given preference for equal qualifications. Applications from people with a migration history are strongly encouraged.

The application must include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a research statement including current and future research projects, a statement regarding teaching philosophy and experience, a brief gender and diversity statement (max. 1 page), a list of courses taught, copies of diplomas and degrees (including transcripts for international degrees), and a complete list of publications with up to 5 selected reprints of recent work. 

Please submit your application, quoting the job ID PR/013/24, to Humboldt-Universität of Berlin, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Caren Tischendorf, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, or preferentially upload it electronically as a single PDF file at https://www2.mathnat.hu-berlin.de/operando. Since we do not return your documents, please submit copies only.

Data protection information regarding the processing of your personal data in the context of the advertisement and selection procedure can be found on the homepage of HU Berlin: https://hu.berlin/DSGVO.

Please visit our website www.hu-berlin.de/stellenangebote, which gives you access to the legally binding German version.