PhD position in Plasma Material Synthesis (m/f/x) (Physiker/in)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.8725 hours/week = 75%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for 1

PhD position in Plasma Material Synthesis (m/f/x)

Decades of plasma research have made headway on improving the control of energetic and chemical properties of plasmas. Much of the richness of the non-equilibrium properties of a low-temperature plasma relies on the interface between the plasma and a surface. However, this interface represents a highly dimensional multiscale as well as multiphase problem. Therefore, our group focuses on the experimental investigation of interaction between plasmas and other matter such as solid states, liquids, and gaseous components for the design of sustainable, green and environment-friendly applications (plasma catalysis, plasma medicine and plasma surface modification). To address the connected challenges, we develop techniques for in-situ diagnostics to standardize and reduce the complexity of the plasma material interface to disentangle the involved physical and chemical processes. The Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 247 “Heterogeneous Oxidation Catalysis in the Liquid Phase” aims at bringing heterogeneous oxidation catalysis in the liquid phase to a level of fundamental understanding that is comparable to metal catalysis in the gas phase. To do this, plasmas are required to generate diverse catalytic materials. One PhD position is available in the Research Group “Plasma Interface Physics” at Ruhr-University Bochum in the frame of the Collaborative Research Center (Sonderforschungsbereich) CRC 247 “Heterogeneous Oxidation Catalysis in the Liquid Phase”.

The topic of the PhD position is: Flame Synthesis and Plasma Modification of Multielement-Oxide Catalysts with Controlled Doping and Defect Structure (TP C02) For details of the different projects, please visit https://www.sfbtrr247.ruhr-uni-bochum.de and the description of the subproject C02 (Schulz/Golda).

Scope: part-time
Duration: fixed-term, 30.6.2030
Start: at the earliest possible date
Apply by: 2026-10-12

Your tasks:

- Investigation of non-equilibrium plasmas by use of various diagnostic techniques (OES, FTIR, ... ).
- Material analysis of synthesized particles (SEM, XPS, ... ).
- The tasks include detailed analysis of the data and development of physical models for data interpretation.
- Close collaboration with the project team and colleagues within the group as well as with other colleagues within the TRR247.
- The results will be published in international scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences and meetings.

Your profile:

- Candidates are requested to have a Master level in physics (or equivalent) with outstanding quality and experience in plasma physics and technology.
- Ideally, candidates have experimental experience with material treatment and synthesis. Additionally, experience using surface diagnostic techniques (such as profilometry or x-ray photon spectroscopy) is favourable.
- Candidates work reliably and in a goal-oriented manner, and demonstrate a high degree of personal responsibility.
- Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic, we are looking for candidates who are team players and would like to work in an interdisciplinary environment.

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/6296d0af2a7939516d3cdbea9a57c764b994ad180?ref=AfA (https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/6296d0af2a7939516d3cdbea9a57c764b994ad180?ref=AfA)