PhD Student(s) (f/m/d) | Battery Technology

At the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, one of the 84 institutes of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, physicists, chemists and biologists create knowledge of long-term relevance to life and basic medical sciences. Currently, our around 270 employees are divided into four departments and two Max Planck Research Groups. In addition, the institute is part of the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim – an association of the leading life science research institutions in the region.

The Department of Cellular Biophysics (Prof. Dr. Joachim P. Spatz) invites applications for PhD students in the field of battery technology starting as soon as possible.

Your tasks

The project focuses on the investigation of novel metal fiber-based fleeces to be used as current collectors for ultra-thick lithium ion battery electrodes, granting access to battery cells with vastly improved energy density. Potential working areas of the candidates can include simulations of the system, further improving the fleece-based current collectors, developing new types of active materials, and assembling and testing of battery cells, or a combination thereof.

Your profile

Candidates should be highly motivated, with a passion for disruptive energy storage technologies, and should have completed (or soon have completed) a Master’s degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, power engineering or related fields. Critical thinking, attention to detail and the ability to work independently are crucial for success. Previous experience with assembling and testing of lithium ion battery cells is desirable. The working language of the project group is English.

Our offer

• interesting, diversified tasks with self-responsibility
• flexible working hours
• highly motivated and interdisciplinary work environment
• payment based on TVöD guidelines

PhD positions are limited to three years with the possibility of extension. Candidates can choose between one of several PhD programs at the University of Heidelberg. The work will be carried out at the Max Planck Institutes in Stuttgart.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

A daycare center for children is located near the institute.

Your application

We are looking forward to receiving your application, including a letter of motivation, CV, and transcripts via the portal in electronic format, no later than 31.01.2025. Please note applications received via E-mail are not able to be considered, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

For further information, please contact Dr. Pascal Jeschenko (pascal.jeschenko@mr.mpg.de).

For general questions, please contact Ms. Julia Gauglitz (julia.gauglitz@mr.mpg.de) from human resources.