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PostDoc Position in Charge Attachment Induced Transport (CAIT) Experiments on Ion Conducting Glasses

We have an immediate opening for a PostDoc position in the Weitzel group at the Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany. 

Research in the Weitzel group is focused on the formation, the transport and the reactivity of ions. The opening is available in the transport part of the Weitzel group.

Over the last decade, the Weitzel group has developed the Charge Attachment Induced Transport (CAIT) technique, to quantify the transport of charge carriers (alkali ions, protons, electrons, anions) in solid ionic materials. To this end charge carrier beams are shined at the surface of a solid sample, which is in contact with a single metal electrode at the back side [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8]. Attachment of the charge carriers gives rise to well-defined electrochemical surface potentials, which in turn induces transport within the sample. The result of this transport is quantified by means of secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and modeled by means of Nernst-Planck-Poisson theory. One of the unique features of CAIT is, that provides access to the energy landscape of ion conducting materials. The latter is an essential part of the DFG funded research unit FOR_5065 (ELSICS).

In this project we intend to further develop the single CAIT experiments into Double CAIT experiments, where two charge carrier beams are employed. The goal is to develop a new paradigm for solid state electrochemistry involving a new view on half-cell potentials. This includes equilibrium properties as well as transport properties but also their mutual relation. As an example of equilibrium properties we mention the advancement of a redox potential scale referenced to the vacuum state (sometimes not very clearly called “absolute redox scale”). The determination of transport coefficients will involve a truly time dependent approach.

We are looking for candidates with a doctoral (PhD) degree in physics, physical chemistry, or related fields, and with profound experience in handling ion beams and in SIMS. Our research group is part of the Chemistry Department but also of the ELSICS consortium located a different universities throughout Germany. We also enjoy close collaboration with leading groups worldwide. For more information see:

https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/fb15/researchgroups/ag-weitzel 

The Philipps-Universität Marburg has been founded in 1527 by Philipp the Magnanimous. In 1609 Johannes Hartmann was appointed the first chair position for “Chymiatrie” world-wide. Today the Philipps-Universität has about 22 000 students at to a total population of the town of 70 000. The unique flair of our university town is defined by the “upper town” of the city of Marburg with timber wood houses dated back to the early 16th century.

Successful candidates will become employees of the University with full social security coverage under the state law of Hesse. We are committed to increasing the percentage of female employees in science and therefore explicitly invite women to apply. The salary corresponds to E13 with details depending on the candidate’s level of experience.

Application is possible online via

https://stellenangebote.uni-marburg.de/jobposting/a3ac53b3be720aad35c2a5506ca922d593ac24330 

Applications are accepted until April 28th or until the position is filled. Applications should include a C.V., a letter of motivation, and names of two references. For further information regarding the position and the science behind the research project do not hesitate to contact me directly at weitzel@chemie.uni-marburg.de  

References

[1]    M. Schäfer, K.-M. Weitzel, Bombardment induced ion transport. Part I: Numerical investigation of bombardment induced ion transport through glasses and membranes on the basis of the Nernst-Planck-Poisson equations, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13 (2011) 20112–20122. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1cp21215j.

[2]    P.V. Menezes, J. Martin, M. Schäfer, H. Staesche, B. Roling, K.-M. Weitzel, Bombardment induced ion transport--part II. Experimental potassium ion conductivities in borosilicate glass, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13 (2011) 20123–20128. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1cp21216h.

[3]    L. Rossrucker, P.V. Menezes, J. Zakel, M. Schäfer, B. Roling, K.-M. Weitzel, Bombardment Induced Potassium Ion Transport Through a Sodium Ion Conductor: Conductivities and Diffusion Profiles, Z. Phys. Chem. 226 (2012) 11083. https://doi.org/10.1524/zpch.2012.0215.

[4]    J. Martin, M. Gräf, T. Kramer, C. Jooss, M.-J. Choe, K. Thornton, K.-M. Weitzel, Charge attachment induced transport -- bulk and grain boundary diffusion of potassium in PrMnO$_3$, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 19 (2017) 9762–9769. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7CP00198C.

[5]    M. Schäfer, K.-M. Weitzel, Site energy distribution of ions in the potential energy landscape of amorphous solids, Materials Today Physics 5 (2018) 12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtphys.2018.05.002.

[6]    M. Schäfer, D. Budina, K.-M. Weitzel, Site energy distribution of sodium ions in a sodium rubidium borate glass, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 21 (2019) 26251–26261. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9cp05194e.

[7]    J.L. Wiemer, M. Schaefer, K.-M. Weitzel, Li+ Ion Site Energy Distribution in Lithium Aluminum Germanium Phosphate, J. Phys. Chem. C 125 (2021) 4977–4985. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c11164.

[8]    K.-M. Weitzel, Charge attachment--induced transport -- Toward new paradigms in solid state electrochemistry, Curr. Opin. Electrochem. 26 (2021) 100672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coelec.2020.100672.