Postdoc Fundamental Chemistry for Enabling Self-Driving Lab for Thermal CO Valorization (m/f/d)

WELCOME TO BASF

We are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher within the ASCEND (Accelerate Positive Clean Energy Districts) project, contributing to Work Package 01 Digital Catalysis and Work Package 04 Self-Driving Lab for Thermal CO₂ Valorization.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The position focuses on the development of chemically meaningful descriptors and their on-demand computational generation, enabling their integration into data-driven experimental design frameworks. The overall objective is to support chemically informed and efficient exploration of large catalyst and process spaces within autonomous (self-driving) laboratory environments.

WHAT YOU OFFER

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field


• strong expertise in computational chemistry (e.g. DFT, atomistic simulations) and catalyst modelling (heterogeneous and/or homogeneous systems)


• experience with Python-based scientific computing (e.g. FireWorks, Jobflow, pymatgen, ASE or similar tools) as well as modelling and analysis of catalytic or materials systems


• proven ability to translate chemical insight into quantitative descriptors


• knowledge of design of experiments (DOE), active learning, Bayesian optimization or machine learning methods for chemical systems is considered a plus


• familiarity with high-throughput computational or experimental workflows, automated or self-driving laboratory concepts, as well as strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams

WHAT WE OFFER

• Participation in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research project within ASCEND


• Access to advanced computational and experimental infrastructures


• Opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation autonomous research systems


• Dynamic research environment with strong academic and industrial collaboration

HOW TO REACH US

• Larissa Anna Treiber (Talent Acquisition), [email protected], Tel: +49 30 2005-56384 will be happy to answer your questions for this position.


• You can also reach our recruiting team here.


• First information about our application process can be found here.

ABOUT US

Please attach a curriculum vitae, a publication list, as well as a brief research statement (maximum two pages) describing your relevant experience and research interests (in English). For more information about the ASCEND project, please visit the ASCEND project website.

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