Tong Li

Ruhr University Bochum is advertising a 3-year PhD position in atomic-scale characterization of solid electrolyte interphases (SEI/CEI) in lithium batteries . The project is funded by the ERC Consolidator Grant “INTERACT” and is hosted in the Chair of Atomic Scale Characterisation within the research center for interface-dominated high-performance materials (ZGH) . The successful candidate will investigate electrode/electrolyte interfaces and the interfacial processes that affect battery performance, including dendrite formation , Coulombic inefficiency , and short cycle life . The work is highly experimental and uses advanced characterization methods such as Atom Probe Tomography (APT) with cryogenic transfer, aberration-corrected TEM , Focused Ion Beam (FIB) , and XPS . This is a strong fit for applicants interested in materials science , chemistry , electrochemistry , and battery interface research. Eligibility highlights: an excellent MSc in materials science, electrochemistry, inorganic chemistry, or organic chemistry; experience with lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries; cell assembly and electrochemical cycling experience; strong electrochemistry background; and experience with SEM/FIB. XPS experience on battery interfaces is a plus. Applicants should have strong English skills and be able to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team. Ruhr University Bochum notes that German and English are the campus languages, and competence in at least one is required, with willingness to learn the other. Funding and terms: the position is full-time , TV-L E13 (100%) , and fixed-term for 3 years . It is described as fully funded through third-party ERC funding. The start date is as early as possible. Application deadline: 2026-05-03 . Apply via the university online portal and include a cover letter, CV with publication list, and PhD certificate as one document. Mention reference number ANR 5608 .

Postdoc opportunity in X-ray spectroscopy and battery materials at Ruhr University Bochum. The Chair of Atomic-scale Characterisation at Ruhr University Bochum is recruiting a three-year, full-time postdoctoral researcher (TV-L 13, 100%) to work on X-ray-based spectroscopy studies of battery interphases and/or electrocatalyst materials within the ERC Consolidator Grant INTERACT . The project is centered on advanced characterization of energy materials, with a strong emphasis on X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and related analysis of battery electrodes and electrified interfaces. The successful candidate will also contribute to lithium or sodium metal battery assembly, electrode or coin-cell fabrication, electrochemical measurements, beamtime proposal writing, scientific publishing, project management, and teaching activities in the chair. Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a PhD in materials science, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, or electrochemistry. The post requires solid electrochemistry knowledge, extensive experience with battery cycling tests (cycling, voltammetry, EIS), and strong hands-on experience in X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray absorption analysis. Experience with in situ or operando X-ray spectroscopy is considered an advantage. The university also notes that competence in at least one of German or English is required, with willingness to learn the other language. Funding and conditions: this is a salaried university post at TV-L 13, full-time, fixed term for three years. It is not described as a scholarship; rather, it is an employment-based postdoctoral position. How to apply: submit your application via the Ruhr University Bochum online application portal. The deadline is 2026-07-05, and applicants should mention reference number ANR 5762. For questions, contact Prof. Dr. Tong Li.

Ruhr University Bochum is advertising a large set of postdoctoral positions across several faculties and research centers, with openings in medical biostatistics , light microscopy , carbonate geochemistry , functional and spatiotemporal statistics , machine-learning interatomic potentials , photoemission spectroscopy of lithium batteries , sustainable consumption and political psychology , predictive cognition , entrepreneurship , and sustainable business models . The post highlights that there are 19+ postdoc vacancies in total and also mentions two open professorships . It additionally advertises 9+ Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowships through the Henriette Herz Scouting Program, including a new opportunity in Media Studies . These opportunities span a wide interdisciplinary range: Medical Science , Biology , Statistics , Physics , Chemistry , Earth Science , Computer Science , Psychology , Business , and Materials Science . Some roles are tied to named professors and research groups at Ruhr University Bochum, while others are based in faculties, institutes, or centers such as ICAMS and the Faculty of Psychology. Eligibility is position-specific, but the post indicates that applicants should have strong research backgrounds relevant to the advertised topic. One opening explicitly notes that German language skills are needed . Several positions are listed as full-time and have durations of around 2 to 3 years . Applicants are instructed to download the PDF for the individual links and more information. The post says that new job openings are highlighted in green. For questions, the contact email provided is [email protected] . Application deadlines vary by position; one visible deadline is 2026-07-15 for the functional and spatiotemporal statistics postdoc, while other openings have their own deadlines in the PDF.

Ruhr University Bochum is advertising a three-year PhD position in synthesis and atomic-scale characterization of high entropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles for electrocatalysis . The project is hosted by the Chair of Atomic-scale Characterisation in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and is supervised by Prof. Dr. Tong Li . The research focuses on understanding how HEA nanoparticle composition, structure, and surface chemistry control catalytic activity and stability in water electrocatalysis and fuel cell applications , including the hydrogen evolution reaction , oxygen evolution reaction , and oxygen reduction reaction . The successful candidate will synthesize HEA nanoparticles and study them using advanced characterization methods such as atom probe tomography , aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy , and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy . The position is full-time and salaried at E13 TV-L (100%) . It is a fixed-term appointment for 3 years . The post is based at Ruhr University Bochum and offers access to major microscopy platforms, glove boxes, and the research center for interface-dominated high-performance materials (ZGH). Applicants should hold an excellent master’s degree in materials science, inorganic chemistry, nanoparticle synthesis, or electrochemistry. Experience with HEA nanoparticle synthesis, electrochemical measurements, and techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, chronopotentiometry, and chronoamperometry is preferred. Strong English skills are required, and competence in at least one of German or English plus willingness to learn the other is also expected. Application deadline: 2026-07-12. Apply via the university online portal and submit a complete application as a single PDF including cover letter, CV, and certificates. Please mention reference number ANR 5778 .