Scientific Assistant (f/m/d) Innovative measuring system for the detection and characterization of critical raw materials for a sustainable production process (KepRE)

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 Fluid Dynamics is conducting basic and applied research in the fields of thermo-fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics in order to improve the sustainability, the energy efficiency and the safety of industrial processes.

The project “Innovatives Messsystem zur Detektion und Charakterisierung von kritischen Rohstoffen für einen nachhaltigen Produktionsprozess (KepRE)” is an innovation sprint project funded by BMBF Datipilot innovation sprints. The aim is towards significant steps of technical transfer with high efficiencies.

Therefore, the group of Electromagnetic Separation at department of Transport Processes at Interfaces is looking for a Scientific Assistant (f/m/d) Innovative measuring system for the detection and characterization of critical raw materials for a sustainable production process (KepRE). 

Your tasks

The candidate is expected to develop a modularized platform that incorporates a magnetic levitation system into a rare-earth containing particle-laden two-phase system with an emphasis on measurement system innovations. The development and implementation of a microelectrode array will be used in the two-phase system, where electric impedance/resistivity tomography will be implemented to replace the currently available imaging system. Critical parameters such as the magnetic term of Kelvin force distribution, magnetic susceptibility of magnetic materials, and interfacial tension between immiscible continuous media will be extracted based on the modeling of signals from the two-phase system measurement system. The task list includes, but is not limited to:

• Design, construct and experimenting and simulating an apparatus which are modularized in magnetic levitation system, measurement system and two-phase system
• Implement microelectrode array-based electric impedance/resistivity tomography measurement system module and calibrate it with optical imaging
• Advance modeling the physical (chemistry) picture of the two-phase system within magnetic levitation system. Correlate measurement system data with key parameters for rare-earth separation
• Acquire supervised machine learning knowledge and prepare to implement and evaluate AI based data processing system for extracting key parameters for rare-earth separation
• Demonstrate the developed system to interested industrial partners. Assist, HZDR technical transfer department, KepRE project partner, with two-part exploitation strategy: (1) the commercialization of collected data and parameters to optimize standardized processing operations; and (2) the non-exclusive licensing of intellectual property rights following industry pilots
• Draft patents and presentation of results in well-recognized peer-reviewed journals and conferences

Your profile

• Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of Electrical engineering or with a focus on electronic design or precision measurement instruments or in the field of Mechanical engineering with focus on fluid dynamics, simulation methods or related areas with excellent grades
• Strong experimental skill with organized work style in experiment planning, execution, result analysis/ documentation and reporting
• Prior knowledge or expertise in electric impedance or resistivity tomography is a strong advantage
• Knowledge of fluid dynamics involving particles (solid, gas, oil) in a watery two-phase system is highly desirable
• Knowledge on magnet and magnetism
• Knowledge in PCB design, National Instruments products, sensor technology (conductivity/impedance, optical imaging), signal processing
• Strong coding skill for data processing, modeling and an interest in supervised machine learning
• Organized working style, Self-dependent working style, problem-solving skills, outcome-oriented working style
• Good teamwork and communication skills, good written and fluent verbal communication skills in English
• Experienced in one of the software/ programing lanugage: e.g. python, c++/ c, matlab
• Experienced in Hardware automatization with LabVIEW or python

Our offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• 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.