Master Thesis - Advanced electrolytes for sodium-based battery applications

Batteries move us and our world - they start our cars, keep the hands of our watches running and ensure that we can take pictures with our smartphones everywhere. At the Helmholtz Institute Münster Ion Conductors for Energy Storage (IMD-4 / HI MS), we are researching novel electrolyte formulations for new and advanced battery concepts. focusses on electrolyte research and development as a key area for future battery concepts. Major research activities comprise the design, synthesis, characterization and processing of more sophisticated battery electrolytes and chemistries. We are located at the Münster branch of the Jülich Research Centre and are operated in close cooperation with the University of Münster and the RWTH Aachen University. This enables us to pool our expertise in battery research and substantially advance this important future field of electrolyte research.

Your Job

Join the SIB:DE FORSCHUNG (Sodium-Ion-Battery Germany Research) project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and actively contribute to the development of liquid electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) as a strategic alternative to lithium-ion technology, supporting the European energy and mobility transition.

Your tasks in detail:

• Identification of novel electrolyte components (conductive salts, solvents/co solvents and functional additives) and their optimal compositions for the development of advanced non aqueous aprotic sodium-based battery electrolytes
• Physicochemical, electrochemical and analytical characterization of various liquid electrolyte classes by selected complementary methods on electrolyte and lab cell level
• Investigation of the influence of the electrolyte on the overall cell performance under varying conditions
• Documenting and visualizing the achieved results in presentations

Your Profile

• Master’s studies in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or a similar field
• Interest in the research area of battery development
• Willingness to become familiar with various electrochemical methods
• Prior knowledge in electrochemistry is desirable
• High degree of independence, motivation, and reliability
• Language Skills: Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level. Knowledge of German is an advantage .

Our Benefits for You

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Meaningful Tasks: Your thesis deals with a future-oriented, socially relevant topic with direct practical relevance in an international environment
• Practical Relevance: With us, you will gain valuable practical experience alongside your studies and actively participate in interdisciplinary projects
• Scientific Environment: You can expect excellent scientific equipment, modern technologies, and qualified support from experienced colleagues
• Personal Responsibility: You organize your tasks independently—from preparation to implementation
• Onboarding & Teamwork: You can look forward to working in a dedicated, international, and collegial team. It is important to us that you quickly settle into the team and are given structured training for your tasks. We also support you from the very beginning and make your start easier with our Welcome Days and Welcome Guide
• Work-life balance: We offer flexible working hours to help you balance your professional and personal life. You also have the option of flexible working (in terms of location), which is generally possible after consultation and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments
• Fair remuneration: We will pay you a reasonable remuneration for your thesis

In addition to exciting tasks and a collegial working environment, we offer you much more: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey