The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The CZS Nexus junior research group of Dr. Neubert, founded by the foundation Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, located at the Institute for Technical Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry seeks to fill the position of a

Doctoral Candidate for Electrochemically Mediated Direct
Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide

 commencing on 1st of January 2026.
We offer a part-time position (TV-L E13, 65%, 26 hours per week), offered as a fixed-term position for 3 years.

Dr. Neubert's junior research group is currently being established within the Chair of Chemistry of Materials for Energy Applications. The junior research group focuses on electrochemical applications of carbon materials, in particular on the separation of carbon dioxide from the air (Direct Air Capture, DAC) in novel battery concepts. The position to be filled is part of the Nexus project “QuiCCoDAC” (https://www.carl-zeiss-stiftung.de/uebersicht-projekte/detail/quinone-carbon-hybrid-material-architectures-for-energy-efficient-and-sustainable-electrochemical-direct-air-capture-of-carbon-dioxide-quiccodac), which develops such DAC approaches under the aspects of green chemistry and a sustainable circular economy. For this process, the carbon-based carrier materials as well as the organochemical absorber materials are first developed and hybridized. This cutting-edge and interdisciplinary project offers you the opportunity to develop a potentially disruptive technology and, at the same time, support the establishment of a young and motivated research group.

Your responsibilities:

As a doctoral student in QuiCCoDAC, you will be responsible for the “Materials & Synthesis” package. This includes the design, synthesis, and modification of relevant absorber and carrier materials based on biomass and phytochemicals, in particular porous carbons and quinones. The synthesized materials will be combined into hybrid materials, which will then be processed into electrodes. The suitability of the electrodes for DAC in battery-like cells will finally be investigated.
Your responsibilities include:

• Independent work on your project work package and your doctoral thesis/doctorate
• Independent execution of laboratory work, including synthesis and analysis
• Preparing/contributing to scientific publications, including the associated tasks (literature research, generation and analysis of research data, creation of scientific illustrations, writing of scientific texts, etc.)
• Presenting your research in publications at national/international conferences
• Collaborating with other members of the working group, the chair, the institute, and other collaboration partners
• Providing support to students in their theses, project work, and internships, as well as supervising student assistants

Your profile:

• Master's degree in chemistry (or related disciplines) with a focus on organic chemistry/polymer chemistry/materials chemistry
• You bring critical thinking, a passion for future-oriented research topics, and enthusiasm for green chemistry
• You have experience in planning, performing, and analyzing chemical laboratory work
• A keen interest in electrochemistry, synthesis, and characterization work is essential
• Knowledge in the field of electrochemistry and analytics (gas adsorption measurements, NMR, XRD, IR/Raman, XPS, SEM, etc.) is desirable
• The ability to work in an interdisciplinary, international team is required
• Good written and spoken English skills are essential
• Good German skills are an advantage

Are you hesitating because you don't meet one or some of our requirements? Please do not hesitate to apply and give us a chance to get to know you.

We offer:

• Research in an international team with a focus on sustainable and future-oriented applications, with room for your own ideas
• Interdisciplinary research at the interface between chemistry, physics, materials science, and environmental engineering. You will work in national and international network structures with renowned universities, research institutions, and industrial companies.
• Excellent, state-of-the-art research equipment and infrastructure
• Participation in national and international conferences
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) up to salary scale E13 (65%) — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

The advertised position is temporary (max. 3 years) and is funded by the foundation Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (CZS). This is a part-time position with 65% of the working hours of a full-time employee (26 hours per week).

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work for us? Then apply by 2nd of November 2025 using our online form.