Ensuring a dependable, environmentally conscious, and economical energy provision is fundamental for fostering sustainable societal progress. The goal of the department “Thermoelectric materials and systems” is to pioneer robust thermoelectric modules and generators capable of harnessing (waste) heat and converting it into electrical power. These innovations cater to diverse applications, serving as , self-sustainable electric power sources, thermal sensors and Peltier heat pumps in automotive technology, energy infrastructures, and aerospace endeavors. The scope of work ranges from the optimization of material synthesis routes and measurement technique development over interface engineering to the fabrication of thermoelectric module prototypes and system optimization.“

What to expect

The position is part of the binational DFG project "Combinatorial development of efficient thermoelectric half-Heusler materials using machine learning, DFT and high-throughput experiments", which is being carried out in cooperation between the DLR Institute of Materials Research, the University of Montpellier and the Ruhr University Bochum. The aim of the project is to develop highly effective thermoelectric materials based on environmentally friendly and readily available materials. In particular, the aim is to synthesise new compositions, establish composition-microstructure-property relationships and further develop high-throughput measurement and evaluation methods.

Your tasks

• synthesis of thermoelectric semiconductor materials from the class of half-Heusler compounds using melting or powder metallurgical processes
• characterisation of thermoelectric samples with regard to microstructure (SEM, EDX, XRD), composition and integral electrical and thermal transport properties
• local determination of the transport properties of graded or inhomogeneous samples, further development of existing measurement systems and analysis tools
• further development of effective media models for the consideration of secondary phases in transport modelling and development of transport models taking into account the electronic band structure based on the measurement results
• analysing the results and publishing them in conference papers and scientific articles
• supervision of internships, bachelor's and master's theses
• writing of a PhD thesis

Your profie

• master's or diploma degree in a natural science or engineering field/subject, e.g. materials science, physics, chemistry or comparable
• very good knowledge of written and spoken English
• laboratory experience in the synthesis of inorganic compound semiconductors and experience in the functional and microstructural characterisation of functional materials (SEM, XRD, EDX, AFM...)
• knowledge of solid-state physics, semiconductor physics, solid-state chemistry
• ability to work in an international team of scientists, technicians, students and international co-operation partners
• experience in automated data processing
• experience in the use of AI-based tools and basic experience in measurement technology

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 792) please contact:

Johannes de Boor 
Tel.: +49 2203 601 4037