PhD or postdoc position (m/f/d) for cage-based materials for multiple transport mechanisms

The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with international and interdisciplinary profiles in research and teaching. Within the collaborative research centre (CRC1585, MultiTrans), the Kurz group (Inorganic Chemistry IV) has the following vacancy:

The position will be filled as soon as possible and is temporary limited. Salary is based on pay grade 13 TV-L 50% (PhD) or 13 TV-L 67% (postdoc).

The CRC 1585 creates, characterises, and models novel materials for a sustainable energy transformation. We aim to elucidate, fundamentally understand, and control the transport behaviour of ions, molecules, electrons, and heat in and between nanostructured functional materials across multiple time- and length-scales. This includes strategies to program materials to guide multiple transport species together, independently of each other or in spatially different directions.

In the project we develop coordination cage-based materials for ionic and electronic transport. After detailed investigations of the cage properties in solution-state, the cages will be transferred into the solid-state utilizing them as porous building blocks. Strategies therefore will include the linkage of the cages and the embedment into various materials leading to hybrid materials. We aim to investigate not only proton or electron conductivity independently, but also the complex interplay of these transport mechanisms.

Your tasks:

• Synthesis of ligands and coordination cages
• Characterisation of the cages in solution by various techniques including 1D and 2D NMR, DOSY, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy
• Transfer of the coordination cages into the solid state either by various strategies e.g. linkage of the cages or transfer into hybrid materials

• Characterisation of the solid-state materials and their transport properties by various techniques including XRD, physisorption, NMR, impedance spectroscopy

Your profile:

• Above average master’s degree in chemistry or strongly-related fields (diploma or equivalent)
• Solid background in coordination chemistry and materials science
• Experience in organic (ligand) synthesis, coordination chemistry and supramolecular chemistry (e.g. cage materials, COFs, MOFs,…)
• Fluency in English, both in oral and written communication
• Dynamic and open-minded personality who enjoys conducting cutting-edge research in an interdisciplinary collaborative research centre
• Ability to work independently and organised

• Commitment, high flexibility, team spirit

We offer:

• Excellent and engaging interdisciplinary research environment at a campus university
• Constructive working atmosphere in a friendly, open-minded, and international team
• Independent basic and application-oriented research
• Doctorate in our tailor-made graduation programme “TransMat” that promotes your scientific, personal, and educational excellence
• Networking with exciting national and international scientists and the opportunity to carry out research stays in international laboratories
• Flexible working hours
• Reconciling family and career
• Occupational health management

• Affordable housing and living in Bayreuth (North Bavaria, Germany)

The University of Bayreuth values the diversity of its employees and is explicitly committed to the goal of gender equality. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with children are very welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the Best Practice Network “Familie in der Hochschule e.V.”, and has successfully participated in the HRK audit ”Internationalization of the University”. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.

Please apply online via our University of Bayreuth application portal with relevant application documents (succinct motivation letter; short summary of research background including Master project; CV; certificates, and copies of records of your BSc and MSc) by 30.06.2025 using the keyword "MultiTrans". The documents will be deleted after the position has been filled in accordance with data protection requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact: Jun. Prof. Hannah Kurz (hannah.kurz@uni-bayreuth.de).