Research Associate; Doctoral ; f​/m​/d; A022-26

Organisation/Company University of Bremen Department Faculty 4 - Production Engineering Research Field Engineering » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Final date to receive applications 19 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number A022-26 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

At the University of Bremen, in Department 4 – Production Engineering (Advanced Ceramics Group,  ), a position is available at the earliest possible date for a

Research Associate (Doctoral Candidate) (f/m/d)

(pay grade EG 13 TV-L)

with 100% of the regular weekly working hours (39.2 hours/week),

fixed-term (in accordance with § 2 WissZeitVG)
for 3 years
.

Part-time employment is generally possible. Details can be arranged with Department 4 if required.

Solar thermal energy conversion is an important component of the green energy transition. To improve the efficiency of solar thermal systems, solar-selective absorber coatings are designed to maximize solar absorption while minimizing infrared emissivity. However, established 2D coating approaches for flat collectors are not readily transferable to porous 3D materials, which are highly attractive due to their large surface area, enhanced light absorption, and improved convective heat transfer.

Plasmonic nanoparticles offer a promising route to overcome this limitation by enabling efficient photothermal conversion in porous ceramic open-cell foams. These materials combine excellent heat transfer and flow properties with high mechanical and thermal stability, long service life, and reusability. As a result, they are well suited for sustainable solar thermal applications ranging from domestic water heating to solar power plants, thermophotovoltaics, and photothermal catalysis.

In this DFG-funded project, we aim to develop and investigate fully inorganic plasmonic ceramic open-cell foams for solar photothermal conversion. The materials consist of an inert ceramic matrix (alumina or aluminum nitride) combined with surface-deposited or incorporated plasmonic transition-metal nitrides (TiN, ZrN, HfN). The foams will be fabricated via established colloidal processing routes, while the plasmonic nitrides will be synthesized in situ by magnesiothermic reduction of oxidic precursors in molten salts.

The project is conducted in collaboration with Prof. Dr.

-Ing. Fieback’s group at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, who will perform thermodynamic investigations of the materials.

The main responsibilities include:

• Working on the project, in particular with regard to the fabrication of ceramic foams and the synthesis of transition metal nitrides
• Conducting independent research within the framework of the project, with the opportunity to pursue and complete a doctoral dissertation in an interdisciplinary context
• Presenting and exchanging scientific results at conferences and publishing research findings in internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals
• Collaborating with other doctoral candidates, researchers, and industrial partners to promote joint scientific projects and publications

Your profile:

• Successfully completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent university diploma) in chemistry, engineering sciences, or a comparable field
• Solid background in inorganic and/or solid-state chemistry, applied materials science, or related disciplines
• Experience with modern imaging techniques such as X-ray tomography and electron microscopy, combined with relevant programming and scripting skills for image analysis, is considered a strong asset
• Excellent command of German, both written and spoken (minimum CEF level C1)
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken (minimum CEF level C1)

General information

We offer:

• Annual special payment (“Christmas bonus”), regular collectively agreed salary increases, and an additional occupational pension scheme for the public sector (VBL)
• A secure, interesting, and varied position at an open-minded and…