PhD Student (f/m/d) Spectro-microscopic investigation of actinide migration

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

The Institute of Resource Ecology performs research to protect humans and the environment from hazards caused by pollutants resulting from technical processes that produce energy and raw materials.

The Department of Thermodynamics of Actinides is looking for a PhD Student (f/m/d) Spectro-microscopic investigation of actinide migration. 

Your tasks

• As part of the BMBF-funded joint project "SPIEG3L", the task is to investigate the transport of trivalent actinides and lanthanides in natural rocks using spectro-microscopic methods
• Spatially resolved spectroscopy to elucidate the relationship between retention of radionuclides and their chemical environment at the molecular level
• Optimization of sample preparation for spectroscopies and microscopies
• Column experiments to characterize the effects of transport on retardation mechanisms
• Presentation of scientific results at conferences, workshops and in scientific publications

Your profile

• Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of chemistry, physics or related fields
• Basic knowledge in the field of optics, especially microscopy
• Experience and knowledge in the field of spectroscopy
• Knowledge of actinide chemistry and handling radionuclides/actinides is an advantage
• Willingness to work in controlled areas and handle open radionuclides
• Very good written and spoken English; knowledge of German is an advantage

Our offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
• An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.