Evaluating the Properties of PEMFC Membrane Materials via Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Candidates should have a strong background in high-performance computing and computational modelling (Linux-based systems, HPC platforms, DFT and molecular dynamics). In order of importance, they should possess good programming skills in C++ (mandatory) and knowledge in Python and Matlab. Some background in the open-source platforms for visualization of scientific data and experience in GPU computing is welcome. They should be able to understand the electrochemical processes in a Fuel Cell.

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English (working language) is required. Knowledge of German is welcome.

All applicants must have a Master Degree or an equivalent degree with minimum of 300 ECTS.

All applications should be mailed to both matthias.baldofski@freudenberg.com and igor.stankovic@ipb.ac.rs with the subject: “BLESSED-DC9-Application". 

The selected candidate will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for DCs. The gross salary includes a living allowance (€3400 per month subject to MSCA Country Correction coefficient, i.e. 98.3% for Germany and 57.7% for Serbia), a mobility allowance (€600 per month) and a family allowance (€660 per month), if the researcher has a family (‘Family’ means persons linked to the researcher by (i) marriage or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognized by the legislation of the country where this relationship was formalized or (iii) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher). The guaranteed (EC) funding is for 36 months.

Applicants of any nationality must hold a Master of Science degree (or equivalent) in physics or chemistry, relevant to the aforementioned topics. They need to fully respect the following eligibility criteria:

(a) Must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

(b) Must undertake transnational mobility. Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months within the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

(c) Must timely submit all required documents to be enrolled in the PhD program of the Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade, Serbia.

Applications should be received by 30th June 2023, at 23:59 CET, at the latest.

The candidates should send a CV, cover letter, statement of research interest, BSc and MSc degrees, and two letters of recommendation are necessary. Copies of publications could be sent later on, upon request. Personal interviews might be asked.

All applications should be mailed to matthias.baldofski@freudenberg.com and igor.stankovic@ipb.ac.rs with the subject: “BLESSED-DC9-Application”.

The outcome of the evaluation process will be announced by mid July 2023. The contract is expected to start in the period September 2023 / October 2023.

In the first 18 months DC9 will be working at the Digital Modelling Department of Freudenberg Technology Innovation SE & Co. KG (FTI) in Weinheim, Germany. The research group consists of about 15 experienced researchers, focusing on the development of different simulation (CFD, FEM, Atomistics, etc.) and Artificial Intelligence methods (Machine Learning, Deep Learning), and their application to research challenges in a wide range of different research fields (i.e. New Mobility & Energy, Virtual Product Development, Sustainability). FTI possesses a HPC platform, including both CPU and GPU nodes, which will be used to support the research to be performed by DC9. In addition, DC9 will closely interact with colleagues of Freudenberg Fuel Cell e-Power Systems who are developing Fuel Cells using numerical and experimental methods. Freudenberg is a global technology group. Together with its partners, customers and research institutions, the eleven Freudenberg Business Groups develop leading-edge technologies, and excellent products and services for more than 40 markets and thousands of applications. Freudenberg is a family-owned Group of companies active on the global stage. Freudenberg is committed to partnerships with customers, and believes in a long-term orientation, financial solidity and the excellence of about 51,000 associates in around 60 countries around the globe which resulted in sales of over 11.7 bn € in 2022. FTI is the central R&D centre of the Freudenberg Group. With Freudenberg e-power systems as one of the leading suppliers of emission-neutral energy systems for heavy-duty applications, we offer our customers long-standing expertise and unbeatable know-how. That's because we combine the best of both worlds by offering both battery and fuel cell systems with our international team of specialists Freudenberg.

The Institute of Technical Sciences (ITS) of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts is a research centre in the permanent pursuit of scientific excellence through a combination of fundamental science and novel technology. The institute hosts and organizes scientific and research work within the Department of the Technical Sciences of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts - the highest scientific institution in the Republic of Serbia. The ongoing work is multidisciplinary and even more importantly, ITS focus is on nano-, multiscale and multiphysics phenomena, supported by theoretical science activities that are thematically close to potential applications.

Dr Igor Stanković (co-supervisor and academic promoter of ESR) has supervised 2 PhDs (accomplished). He worked at Toyota Motor Europe in Brussels from 2005 to 2009. Visiting professor at Technical University Federico Santa Maria Chile, MC member of EU Cost Action 21121, and Serbian PI of Horizon Europe ULTIMATE-I project. His research interests are application-driven, including transport and phase dynamics in ionic, dipolar, and complex systems. He has authored 35 journal papers, more than 500 citations, and h-index=12.