Postdoc Position (m/f/d)

The University of Bayreuth (UBT) is a research-oriented university with internationally competitive, interdisciplinary focus areas in research and teaching. Within the Northern Bavarian NMR Centre (NBNC) and the department of chemistry the Chair of “Solid-State Chemistry and Structural Analytics of Functional Materials” seeks to fill the following job vacancy for a project that investigates wall materials for nuclear fusion reactors using NMR crystallographic methods.

For this, we open a

to be filled as soon as possible. The salary is based on pay group 13 TV-L 100 %. The position is initially limited to one year, an extension is conceivable and is being pursued. The successful applicant is working within the Bavarian nuclear fusion initiative that strives to establish an alternative, sustainable energy source. Close cooperation is expected with the Chairs of “Ceramic Composites” and “Operando-Analytics for electrochemical energy storage” which also work in the fusion initiative. Together, the team will prepare potential wall materials for nuclear fusion reactors, expose them to extreme conditions and characterize initial and treated systems using a broad suite of techniques including diffraction, electron microscopy and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The project aims at developing a fundamental understanding of how to design composite ceramics that are able to withstand the extreme conditions in a fusion reactor.

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• Interdisciplinary work on composite ceramics as wall materials for nuclear fusion reactors within in a strong team
• To liaise with the nuclear fusion groups at the University of Bayreuth and in Bavaria
• To Characterise structure, dynamics and the defect chemistry of the wall materials using solid-state NMR spectroscopy, diffraction and computational modelling
• Develop NMR crystallographic strategies that combines pdf analyses and correlative NMR techniques
• Participating in measurement trips to expose the composites to high energy radiation and explore the structural stability in situ
• Generating insights into the structural stability of wall materials for nuclear fusion based on experiments and simulation

Your profile:

• Excellent Master and PhD degrees in chemistry, material science, or physics
• Experience in working with interdisciplinary teams
• Ability to work independently and organized
• Experience using solid-state NMR spectroscopy is required
• Expertise in diffraction techniques, pdf analyses and solid-state chemistry is appreciated
• Open-minded, team-oriented pragmatic, and solution-oriented character
• Fluency in English, both in oral and written communication
• Excellent communication and project management skills are of advantage
• Dynamic and open-minded personality who enjoys performing cutting-edge research in an interdisciplinary team
• Commitment, high flexibility, team spirit

What you can expect:

• Excellent and engaging interdisciplinary research environment at a campus university
• Constructive working atmosphere in a friendly, open-minded, and international team
• Forward-looking and state of the art subject areas
• Modern working conditions in a creative working environment
• Networking with exciting national and international scientists and the opportunity to establish ties to scientific organisations, decision makers, and industry
• Flexible working hours
• University health management
• Compatibility of family and career

The University of Bayreuth views the diversity of its staff as an asset and is expressly committed to the goal of gender equality. Female scholars and any persons who can help make the research and teaching profile of the university more diverse are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with children are highly welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the best practice club Family at University. In addition, an extended audit conducted by the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) returned a favourable review for the University of Bayreuth’s commitment to internationalization. All qualifications being equal, applicants with disabilities will be given priority.

Please apply online with detailed application documents by 30.11.2025 using the application portal of the University of Bayreuth, stating the password “Postdoc Fusion NMR”. Application documents will be deleted in accordance with data protection law following the conclusion of the appointment process.

If you have any questions, please contact: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Senker, Chair of “Solid-State Chemistry and Structural Analytics of Functional Materials” (juergen.senker@uni-bayreuth.de)