Doctoral Research Position (m/f/x)

Saarland University is a campus university with an international reputation for research excellence, particularly in

computer science and in the life sciences and nanosciences. The university is also distinguished by its close ties to

France and its strong European focus. Around 17,000 students, studying over one hundred different academic

disciplines, are currently enrolled at Saarland University. Saarland University is officially recognized as one of

Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4000 it is one

of the largest employers in the region.

The Chair of Energy Materials is inviting applications for the following position commencing at the earliest

opportunity.

Doctoral Research Position (m/f/x)

Reference number W2917, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration

of employment: 3 years, volume of employment: 50 % of standard working time.

Workplace/Department:

Chair of Energy Materials

The transition to a climate-neutral society is unthinkable without breakthrough energy storage technologies. At the

Chair of Energy Materials, we are working on exactly that: the development of advanced materials that will power the

next generation of green energy systems. Join us in shaping the future of energy storage from sustainable battery

chemistries to innovative recycling strategies.

Your task: Next-Generation Battery Materials for a Sustainable Future

You will dive into the synthesis and characterization of novel battery materials that go far beyond conventional

lithium-ion systems. This interdisciplinary PhD project addresses central challenges of the energy transition, including

alternative battery chemistries (e.g., sodium-ion, magnesium-based systems), solid-state electrolytes, and circular

recycling strategies.

1

TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder

The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is

further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one year at

level 1 of the E10 pay grade, an employee will move up to level 2. After a further two years, the employee will move to level 3, etc.

Job requirements and responsibilities:

 Designing and characterizing novel electrode materials or electrolytes for post-Li technologies

 Advancing circular battery concepts (e.g., direct recycling, recovery of critical raw materials)

 Fabrication of battery electrodes (water-based binder systems, dry electrodes, free-standing)

 Structural and electrochemical characterization using state-of-the-art instrumentation, including X-ray diffraction,

Raman spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy

 Active participation in the research activities of the group and collaboration with external partners

 Publish scientific papers and present results at international conferences

Your academic qualifications:

 Completed scientific university studies in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or related

fields

 Language skills (according to GER): English (C1)

The successful candidate will also be expected to:

 Hands-on experience in electrochemistry, material characterization (e.g., XRD, SEM, BET), or process engineering

is advantageous

 Strong motivation for sustainable technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration

 Independent, analytical mindset and proficiency in English

What we can offer you:

 A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of

teleworking

 Secure and future-oriented employment with attractive conditions

 A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)

 An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports

programme

 Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)

 Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket‘ of the saarVV)

 Job bike leasing (JobRad)

We look forward to receiving your meaningful online application (in a PDF file) by 09.11.2026 to ls-energymaterials-jobs@uni-saarland.de. Please include the reference number W2917 in the subject line of the e-mail.

If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance. Your contact:

Herr Prof. Dr. Volker Presser

Materials Science and Engineering

Email: ls-energy-materials-jobs@uni-saarland.de

Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the

pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the Zentralstelle für

ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can find more information at

https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.

Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed

in principle.

We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and

identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women.

Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.

When you submit a job application to Saarland University you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice for information

on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. By submitting your application you

confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland University privacy notice.