Work group:

Institute of Surface Science

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Starting date:

29.10.2026

Job description: Postdoctoral Researcher: Localized Electrochemistry, SECM, for Unraveling Degradation of Light Metals

JobID: 1082
Location: Geesthacht
Application deadline: 25 November, 2026

Metal degradation can be a boon or a bane, depending on the application and on how well we can control it. A corroding car component is a safety risk. A biodegradable magnesium implant that dissolves at exactly the right rate spares patients a second surgery. An aqueous battery lives or dies depending on what happens at its electrodes.

At the Department of Electrochemistry and Big Data we unravel degradation pathways of light metals used in structural applications, medical devices and aqueous batteries. Since metal degradation is governed by interface reactions, local electrochemical methods, which measure the concentrations of species generated or consumed at the metal/electrolyte interface, provide valuable insight into electrochemical degradation mechanisms.

This position is created to employ a talented and motivated scientist able to run local electrochemical measurements using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). You will investigate how metals degrade in electrolytes ranging from simple model solutions to complex, physiologically relevant media. You will combine commercial and self-made amperometric and potentiometric micro-probes and micro-optodes to separate anodic and cathodic degradation pathways. You will also correlate your electrochemical data with surface chemistry and morphology.

We are offering a 3-year position, as soon as possible, as a Post-Doctoral researcher in the field of localized electroanalytical analysis. In principle, the position is full-time (39 h/week) and will be located in Hereon's main campus, in Geesthacht (near Hamburg).

We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage qualified women to apply.

Your tasks
- Set up and commission a new customized SECM/SECCM system, and manage our established SVET/SIET localized electrochemistry facility
- Design, fabricate and characterize micro- and nano-electrodes tailored to required experiments using the techniques above
- Contribute to ongoing research projects in close collaboration with the principal investigators, while developing and pursuing your own research ideas
- Publish your results in leading peer-reviewed journals and present them at international conferences, write project reports
- Shape the digital future of our lab by connecting the localized electrochemistry instruments to our electronic lab notebook and establishing FAIR data management
- Co-supervise PhD students and help them grow as researchers
- Write or contribute to grant proposals and build your own track record in acquiring external funding

Your profile
- A PhD in electrochemistry, physical chemistry, materials science or a related field
- Hands-on experience with SECM (SECCM experience is a strong plus), demonstrated through first-author publications
- Experience fabricating micro- or nanoelectrodes for SECM/SECCM
- Solid experimental skills in the chemical laboratory and confidence in quantitative data analysis using appropriate software
- Experience with the degradation or corrosion of metallic materials, especially light metals (experience with biodegradable metals or metallic medical devices is a strong plus)
- Fluent written and spoken English is required, knowledge of the German language is preferred but not mandatory, we support language learning

Content-related enquiries regarding this position can be directed to Sviatlana.Lamaka@hereon.de.

Our offer
- Access to state-of-the-art (robotic) labs, unique scientific and technical infrastructure
- Access to a large international research and industrial network.
- Funding for conferences, summer schools and courses needed or research stays
- An exciting job in a research center with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
- International Welcome Office with guest accommodation
- 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
- social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to EG 13 (according to EntgO Bund)
- Very good work-life balance; options for mobile and flexible work
- A green campus on the Elbe River, well-connected with Hamburg (public transport), subsidy for the Deutschlandticket if certain conditions are met (job ticket), charging facilities for electric vehicles
- Family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e. g. nursery/kindergarten close to the company
- Operational Health Management, e. g. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Corporate Benefits
- A varied offer in the canteen on campus

Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.

Interested?
Then we are looking forward to receiving your comprehensive application documents (cover letter, CV, transcripts, certificates, etc.) indicating the reference number 1082 ? 2026/MO 5 until 25 November, 2026.

Apply now!

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.

Company

The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 47.500 people on staff in 18 national Research Centers and an annual budget of more than 6 billion euros, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research, in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action.

The profile of the Helmholtz Association

The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Information, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the program-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.

Moreover, Helmholtz specializes in large-scale research infrastructures – from accelerator facilities, earth observation satellites, research ships to supercomputers. They form the basis for scientific advances in tackling global societal challenges. Managing national research infrastructure is part of the Helmholtz Association's mission.

Promoting young academics

Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.

The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centers provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we established Career Development Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz Centers. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Investigator Group , for example. As an Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field and acquire management skills.

Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy: and Helmholtz Distinguished Professorship – Funding for the recruitment of leading international female scientists (W3) .

The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organize their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to provide leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Leadership Academy to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.

All of this combined makes the 18 Research Centers of the Helmholtz Association a highly attractive environment for talented researchers from all over the world.

Company info

Telephone: 0049-30-206329-0
Location: Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2
Berlin
Berlin
10178
Germany

Postdoctoral Researcher: Localized Electrochemistry, SECM, for Unraveling Degradation of Light Me...

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