Job Description

Conducting research for a changing society: This is what drives us at Forschungs­zentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helm­holtz Asso­ciation, we aim to tackle the grand societal challenges of our time and conduct research into the possi­bilities of a digitized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. Work together with around 7,400 employees in one of Europe’s biggest research centers and help us to shape change!

At the Institute of Climate and Energy Systems – Jülich Systems Analysis, we investigate how a sustainable energy system could look like. In order to achieve the goal of greenhouse gas neutrality, so-called negative emission paths must be taken to offset remaining residual emissions in addition to a strict defossilization of the energy system. CO2 capture from the ambient air and its permanent sequestration (Direct Air Capture and Storage [DACS]) represents an important technical solution within these pathways. We are leading an exciting joint research project on this technology with top-class research partners from six different Helmholtz centers and the TU Berlin (DACStorE – https://www.dacstore-project.com/de). In this interdisciplinary research project, we are working on the ramp-up of DACS technology for widespread use to provide negative emissions. Become part of the lead of this successful research project and contribute your ideas and creativity to develop solutions for this major challenge.

Join our team to the next possible date as

Postdoc – Scientific Lead of a Joint Research Project in the Field of Direct Air Capture and Storage

Your Job:
As the scientific lead of the DACStorE project, you will coordinate the collaboration of the project partners on a scientific level. In particular, you will lead the exchange between the subprojects, advance the scientific work, and represent the project in the exchange with stakeholders from science, politics, industry, and society. In these activities, you will be supported by a project coordinator. As the head of the “technology assessment” subproject, you will be in charge of the global analyses of suitable locations for the construction and operation of DACS systems. These analyses will be carried out using the institute’s FINE model framework (https://github.com/FZJ-IEK3-VSA/FINE), in which detailed optimization models for potential analyses and the design of DACS plants are created. In this context, you will supervise doctoral students working on these research topics at the institute division and support them in writing their dissertations. Your tasks in detail:

- Scientific lead of the Helmholtz joint research project DACStorE (https://www.dacstore-project.com/en)
- Lead of the subproject “technology assessment” in the research project
- Representation of the project at scientific conferences and in exchange with politics, industry, and the media
- Supervision of doctoral students and master students
- Publication of research results in scientific journals
- Further development of the DACStorE project and conceptualization of follow-up projects

Your Profile:
- An above-average PhD degree, ideally in the field of energy system modeling, as well as a university degree in engineering, physics, or a comparable field of study
- Very good knowledge in the fields of energy system modeling, energy technology, and process engineering
- Initial experience in leading research projects
- Strong team and leadership skills
- Proven ability to publish research results in scientific journals
- Fluent written and spoken English; German language skills are advantageous
- Independent, creative, and analytical way of working

Please feel free to apply for the position even if you do not have all the required skills and knowledge. We may be able to teach you missing skills during your induction.

Our Offer:
We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

- We support you right from the beginning: We help new colleagues to find their feet at Jülich – e.g., through our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide (https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/gp/welcome-to-forschungszentrum-julich)
- A highly motivated, international, and interdisciplinary working group in one of the largest research institutions in Europe
- Leading an exciting joint research project with high-profile partners
- Extensive introduction into the ongoing activities in the research project
- Support regarding project management from a project coordinator
- Opportunities to participate in (international) conferences and actively exchange with stakeholders from politics, industry, and society
- Excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
- Ideal conditions for successful work in home office
- Extensive training opportunities to prepare you for a career in science
- Flexible working hours in a full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours (https://go.fzj.de/near-full-time)
- 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g., between Christmas and New Year)
- Capital-forming benefits and an employee pension scheme
- Targeted services for international employees, e.g., through our International Advisory Service

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits.

Here you can get a first impression of working at the institute: https://go.fzj.de/ice-2.

The position is for a fixed term of two years, with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 13–14, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them. All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed. The monthly salaries in euros can be found on page 66 of the PDF download.

We particularly welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds (e.g., regardless of age, gender, disabilities, sexual orientation / identity, as well as social, ethnic, and religious background). We strive to offer a diverse and inclusive working environment in which people enjoy equal opportunities and are able to fulfill their potential.

We look forward to receiving your application. The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible via our Online Recruitment System: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/jobs/2025-055?apply

Contact Form:
If your questions have not yet been answered via our FAQs (https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/application-information/faq), please send us a message via our contact form: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/jobs/2025-055?contact

Please note that for technical reasons we cannot accept applications by e-mail.

www.fz-juelich.de