For our research area of Plasma and Surface Technology, we are looking to strengthen our team with a scientific employee (TV-L 13), starting as soon as possible.
Plasma technology is a cross-cutting technology that finds application in numerous industries. Through the thin layers that can be generated by plasmas, plastics can be given entirely new properties. Where packaging is required, plasma technology is capable of creating environmentally friendly, recyclable, and thus sustainable overall solutions for protecting the contents through coatings. In recent years, plasma technology has also experienced significant growth in fields such as medical technology. Sterilising instruments and coating implants or syringes are just a few examples of its applications. Plasma treatments are also frequently used industrially to alter the wettability properties of surfaces and to positively influence the adhesion of materials applied after the process. For example, this can improve the adhesion of paints, printing inks, adhesives, and welding connections between similar or dissimilar plastics.
Your task
Our main focus is on plant and coating development. We are always working at the interface between the disciplines of chemistry, physics and mechanical engineering, which makes our research work in this field particularly versatile. As head of the working group, you will be responsible for the scientific and financial planning and implementation of research projects in the field of plasma technology related to plastic products. As part of this work, you will lead a motivated team of student assistants and supervise publicly funded research projects as well as projects with industry partners and project, Bachelor’s and Master’s theses. They are actively involved in defining relevant questions and deriving new research ideas. You will also be responsible for teaching at RWTH Aachen University and will be in direct contact with our industrial partners. They establish and maintain intensive contacts with numerous national and international industrial companies and research institutes. Of course, you will represent your specialist area in presentations and lectures at conferences, symposia and in training and further education.
Your qualification
- You have successfully completed or are about to complete a diploma or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, e.g. specializing in plastics engineering or process engineering, or in materials engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry or similar courses at a technical college or university.
- Ideally, you will already have experience in the field of surface and plasma technology or surface analysis.
- Knowledge of plastics is an advantage, but not essential.
- You enjoy working independently and are able to work on complex problems in a structured manner.
- You are also open in your dealings with people and have the ability to motivate yourself and others.
- In addition to German, you have a very good command of written and spoken English. We expect you to be confident in using MS Windows and Office.
Our offer
We offer you an exciting, varied and versatile position in an open-minded, highly motivated team of scientists in which you will work independently. Thanks to the institute’s extensive equipment in the field of coating systems and analytics, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in a technically modern and fruitful context. Your tasks will enable you to have intensive contact with partners from both industry and science. In addition, we offer you the opportunity to do a doctorate in the above-mentioned subject area.