Start your mission with DLR

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is the national aeronautics and space research centre and the space agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. Here, 10,000 employees work together on a unique variety of topics in the fields of aeronautics, space, energy, transport, security and digitalisation. Their missions range from basic research to the development of innovative applications and products for tomorrow. Cutting-edge research requires excellent minds – particularly more females – at all levels, who fully achieve their potential in an inspiring environment. Launch your mission with us.

For our Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics in Ulm, we are currently looking for a

Theoretical Physicist and Chemist (f/m/x) Energy storage simulations with quantum computers

Your mission:
We model and simulate physicochemical processes in batteries and fuel cells. Our thermodynamic models describe reaction and transport of ions with partial differential equations. Our quantum chemical models describe the reactions of atoms on electrode surfaces. Together with experimental partners, we thus develop and optimize energy storage devices, e.g., in the Ulm Cluster of Excellence POLiS for Post Lithium Batteries.

Would you like to help shape the material simulation of the future? Then join our team on quantum simulations and develop algorithms to describe reaction and transport processes in batteries. You will be able to develop your models of quantum chemistry and continuum mechanics on quantum computers. You benefit from your own creative freedom and individual support.

Your tasks:

You will evaluate new methods for simulating energy storage materials on quantum computers.

• evaluating and developing such algorithms for quantum computers together with our partners at DLR
• implementing the methods and performing simulations on quantum computers of the DLR
• comparing their scalability and accuracy with algorithms on classical computers

You specifically apply the results of fundamental research to practical tasks for industry.

You will gain experience with real quantum hardware via our industrial and experimental partnerships, while maintaining an academic perspective.

As a PostDoc, you will support PhD students to reach their full potential.

You will author scientific publications and give presentations at national and international conferences.

Your qualifications:
• Theory and simulation fascinate you.
• You have a scientific university degree in a natural science or engineering subject (e.g. in the Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics or similar) with very good results.
• You have a doctorate in natural sciences or engineering.
• You have in-depth expertise in quantum computing, quantum chemistry or electrochemistry.
• Your good English helps you to communicate in our international team.
• You have experience publishing in journals and presenting on national and international conferences.

Your benefits:
Look forward to a fulfilling job with an employer who appreciates your commitment and supports your personal and professional development. Our unique infrastructure offers you a working environment in which you have unparalleled scope to develop your creative ideas and accomplish your professional objectives. Our human resources policy places great value on a healthy family and work-life-balance as well as equal opportunities for persons of all genders (f/m/x). Individuals with disabilities will be given preferential consideration in the event their qualifications are equivalent to those of other candidates.

If you have any questions concerning specific aspects of the job, please contact PD Dr. Birger Horstmann by calling +49 711 6862‑8254. Please find further information on this vacancy with the reference number 67084, and details regarding the remuneration and the application procedure, at www.DLR.de/dlr/jobs/#48448