Head of Department for High-Temperature Electrolysis and Fuel Cell Technology

At the Institute of Energy and Climate Research – Fundamental Electrochemistry (IEK-9), we perform research on highly relevant topics related to the energy transition. For example, we investigate the battery of the future and new battery concepts. How we can turn the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into the fuel of the future or how electrolysis can contribute to a hydrogen energy economy are other exciting projects. The aim is to develop sustainable and cost-effective batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzers with improved energy and power density, longer life-time, and maximal safety. Find out more about our mission and future-oriented projects here: https://go.fzj.de/IEK-9.

We are looking to recruit a

Head of Department for High-Temperature Electrolysis and Fuel Cell Technology

Your Job:

To further develop the high-temperature electrolysis and fuel cell technology (Solid Oxide Cell, SOC), you will take over management of the merged departments “Electrochemistry” and “Electrochemical Process and System Technology” with a total of around 30 employees at IEK-9. Your tasks in this exciting and dynamic environment:

• Strategic further development of the newly formed department by deriving new goals for the area of high-temperature electrolysis and fuel cell technology, considering the overall orientation of the institute
• Designing the workflows of the department’s merged working groups and supporting team development through careful change management
• Technical and disciplinary management as well as the support of around 30 employees
• Scientific support of research and development work, which extends from material, cell, and stack development to application-oriented system development, including testing
• Acquisition, planning, and control of new projects as well as the identification of new project partners
• Responsibility for compliance with relevant safety regulations and rules
• Participation in public relations for the purpose of presenting the institute to the outside world through organization, management, and participation in national and international conferences and collaborations as well as publications in professionally relevant media
• Responsibility for R&D work, financial planning and processing, as well as human resources management
• Medium- and long-term planning of resources, devices, and other equipment

Your Profile:

• Completed master’s degree with subsequent PhD in chemistry, materials science, process engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering, or a comparable field
• Sound experience in material development, electrochemistry, and cell / stack and system / process engineering for high-temperature fuel cell and electrolysis systems, ideally from industry
• Many years of laboratory and technical center experience in the area of investigating high-temperature fuel cells and electrolysis cells, stacks, and systems
• Outstanding specialist knowledge in the areas of electrochemistry, materials science, thermodynamics, and/or systems and process engineering
• Very good knowledge of electrochemical measurement methods
• Very good specialist knowledge in the field of fuel cells and/or electrolyzers
• Profound experience in the acquisition, implementation, and/or management of third-party funded projects and industrial collaborations as well as the writing of scientific project reports
• Appreciative leadership style in intercultural and interdisciplinary teams, combined with a talent for motivating employees
• Strong assertiveness and negotiation skills
• Resource- and future-oriented approach
• Excellent knowledge of German is essential, good knowledge of English is also necessary

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• An attractive flextime system and flexible working time models that take your individual needs into account: full-time position with 39 hours / week, working close to full-time, or working in a top sharing model (two qualified employees share a full-time position)
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
• Flexible work (location) arrangements, e.g. remote work
• Working in an inspiring environment that invites you to conduct high-quality research and successfully implement your own ideas
• As part of a globally competitive institute, we offer you the best conditions to shape your career in a meaningful way and take it to the next level
• Extensive company health management
• Capital-forming benefits and a company pension scheme
• Comprehensive training courses and individual opportunities for personal and professional further development
• Ideal conditions for balancing work and private life, as well as a family-friendly corporate policy; among other things, we offer (mobile) parent-child offices, vacation courses for our employees’ children, and support from our colleagues in the Equal Opportunities Office
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere in Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits.

The position is for a fixed term of two years with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic, and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities, in which everyone can realize their potential, is important to us.

We look forward to receiving your application by May 27, 2024, via our Online Recruitment System!

Questions about the Offer?

Please feel free to contact us via our contact form. Please note that for technical reasons we cannot accept applications via e-mail.

You can find helpful information on the application and selection process here. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs.

www.fz-juelich.de