PhD Student (f-m-d) Computational Design of Polymer Degrading Catalysts for a Circular Economy
The Department of Molecular Simulations and Design (Prof. Dr. Matthias Stein) at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems is inviting applications for the PhD Student (f/m/d) position.
Research topic: "Computational Design of Polymer Degrading Catalysts for a Circular Economy”.
The position is to be filled as soon as possible and is limited to three years.
Production of polymeric material is increasing annually, and the end-of-use waste is becoming a global problem. For the development of a circular economy, the design and development of innovative research concepts to depolymerize common plastics into monomeric building blocks are required. By support of computational chemistry approaches, the targeted catalytic degradation of polymers by novel non-precious metal catalysts is an attractive possibility.
In collaboration with our partners, solvent-supported and/or light-induced degradation catalysts will be developed and experimentally verified at lab scale.
Your Tasks
- Multi-scale simulations of solvolytic and light-induced degradation pathways of commonly used polymeric materials
- Assessment and development of appropriate workflows for high-throughput screening
- Computational design of novel non-precious catalysts
- Setup of data-driven models to predict properties of catalytic depolymerization processes
Suitable candidates should possess
- A Master degree in chemical engineering or natural sciences, preferentially, physics, chemistry or related disciplines with grades above average
- Experience in computational chemistry approaches, such as electronic structure theory and Molecular Dynamics simulations
- Excellent communication skills and motivation for the cooperation with other research groups.
- Excellent proficiency of English language
We offer
- Remuneration in salary group E13, 75 % (public sector, TVöD)
- Job with a fixed-term employment contract in the public sector for a term of 36 months.
- Working in an international and interdisciplinary environment
- State-of-the-art computing facilities
- Opportunity to attend national and international scientific conference
- Possibility of training and personal development
The Max Planck Society is committed to equal opportunities, gender equality, and diversity. What counts for us are your qualifications, professional strengths, and the candidates’ attitude. We, therefore, welcome all applications regardless of gender, cultural or social background, disability, religion, age, lifestyle, ideology or sexual identity.
Increasing the proportion of women in areas where women are underrepresented is a primary goal of the Max Planck Society. We are therefore particularly interested in applications from qualified women and expressly encourage them to apply.
The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal to employ more severely disabled people. Severely disabled persons and persons of equal status will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified. Applications from severely disabled people are, therefore, expressly encouraged.
Applications are evaluated continuously on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please apply before 31 March 2025. You may upload your application, including cover letter, curriculum vitae, Bachelor and Master certificates, and names of two academic reviewers via our application portal below.
Contact person for further information on the job advertisement:
Prof. Dr. Matthias Stein
