City:  Freiberg
Date:  Nov 26, 2024

Research assistant in the field of recycling

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. 

The Fraunhofer IKTS conducts application-oriented research into high-performance ceramics. The three sites in Dresden and Hermsdorf (Thuringia) form the largest ceramics research institute in Europe. As a research and technology service provider, we develop modern high-performance ceramic materials, industry-relevant manufacturing processes and prototype components and systems in complete production lines up to pilot scale. The portfolio also includes expertise in materials diagnostics and testing.


The "Recycling and Green Battery" working group is part of the "Mobile Energy Storage and Electrochemistry" department at Fraunhofer IKTS and works primarily at the Freiberg site. A key focus of the work is the development of new recycling processes for various materials such as batteries, permanent magnets, photovoltaic panels and electronic waste. In particular, strategies are to be developed to enable both product waste and old products to be recycled cost-effectively and resource-efficiently in the future. The research work at Fraunhofer THM in Freiberg therefore focuses primarily on closing material and substance cycles in production and recycling chains. The holistic view, understanding and identification of efficient recycling processes to obtain high-quality products, regardless of the type of source material, are essential for the realization of a functioning circular economy.

 

What you will do

You can expect the following varied tasks:

  • Organization and coordination of projects (especially projects within the Horizon Europe programme) focusing on knowledge transfer as well as on a holistic view of all actors of the entire recycling value chain
  • Sustainability assessments using life cycle assessments ("LCA"), including social and techno-economic assessments
  • Conception, coordination and implementation of experimental work in the laboratory
  • Preliminary tests with the aim of recovering critical and strategic raw materials and metals
  • Validation of recycling processes on a pilot scale based on the implementation of test series and evaluation of the results
  • Sample preparation for analysis (in particular element characterization with “ICP-OES“)
  • Coordination with external project partners, participation in project meetings, presentation and discussion of results
  • Identification of scientific questions from the projects and derivation of work plans
  • Preparation and support in the acquisition of new projects
  • Publication and presentation of scientific results (e.g. at meetings/conferences)

 

What you bring to the table

You have a university degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science with a specialization in environmental technology or similar. Relevant previous knowledge in the field of hydrometallurgical processing of primary or secondary raw materials is a prerequisite.

 

In addition, the following competencies and skills round off your profile:

  • Experience in managing national and international projects as well as industrial projects (acquisition, proposal preparation and direct contact with partners)
  • Knowledge of the European program Horizon Europe
  • Experience in recycling end-of-life products, in particular Li-ion batteries, NdFeB permanent magnets and electronic scrap using hydrometallurgical processes
  • Knowledge of electrochemical technologies for the recovery of critical raw materials, such as electrodialysis, is an advantage
  • Enjoy working in an international team
  • Good knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for the presentation of results and reporting
  • High motivation for research in this promising and dynamic field as well as for interdisciplinary project work
  • Enjoy presenting and discussing in the project team, at scientific events and with customers
  • Confident in spoken and written English and German

 

What you can expect

We offer you an exciting and interdisciplinary working environment with responsibility and room for your ideas as well as modern equipment and infrastructure. You will be part of a young and dynamic team and have the opportunity to actively support the strategic development of Fraunhofer IKTS.


We also offer our employees the following benefits:

  • Flexitime
  • Individual development and career opportunities
  • Diverse opportunities for further qualification
  • Company pension scheme
  • Participation in the job ticket
  • Support services for balancing work and private life

 

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

The weekly working time is 39 hours.

The position is initially limited to 2 years and can also be performed part-time.

We would like to point out that the chosen job title also includes the third gender.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft attaches great importance to gender-independent professional equality.

Appointment, remuneration and social security benefits based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD).

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!
 

If you have any questions about this position, please contact:
Dr. S. Pavón
Phone: +49 3731 2033-169

Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS 

www.ikts.fraunhofer.de 

 

Requisition Number: 77151                Application Deadline:

 


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