INSTITUTE FOR EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS IV
SOLID STATE PHYSICS / SURFACE PHYSICS

RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM | 44780 Bochum | Germany
Prof. Dr. Roldan Cuenya, Institute for Experimental Physics IV, Solid State Physics / Surface Physics

FACULTY OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY

Institute for Experimental Physics IV
Solid State Physics / Surface Physics
Building NB 4/125
Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum

PROF. DR. BEATRIZ ROLDAN CUENYA
Phone: +49 (0)234 32-23649
Fax: +49 (0)234 32-14173
beatriz.roldan@rub.de
www.ep4.rub.de/Roldan

Permanent Research Associate Position:
Nanoscale Surface Physics: Structural, Electronic, and Catalytic Properties of Nanostructures

There is an open permanent research associate position in the research fields of surface physics and nanocatalysis in the Institute of Experimental Physics IV at the Ruhr Universität Bochum. The successful applicant will utilize UHV-based surface-sensitive techniques to characterize the novel size- and shape-dependent physical-chemical properties of nanostructures. Emphasis will be given to understanding the mechanisms of metal nanoparticle enhanced chemical reactivity by monitoring changes in size, shape, chemical state, and electronic structure of nanoscale systems during heterogeneous and electrochemical catalytic reactions. The reactivity tests will be conducted in UHV and at high pressure (gas/solid nanostructured interfaces), as well in an electrochemical environment (liquid/solid interfaces). The evolution of the structure, chemical state and composition of nanocatalysts at work (in situ and under operando conditions) will be monitored.

State-of-the-art experimental techniques are available in Dr. Roldán’s laboratory for these projects: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS), Temperature-Programmed Desorption (TPD) and Reaction (TPR) with mass spectrometry and gas chromatography, Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), and Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE). Furthermore, the selected candidate will also have access to synchrotron based measurement techniques at European and international facilities, including X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (XAFS), grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), as well as ambient pressure XPS.

Required qualifications include a PhD in Physics or Physical Chemistry. Previous experience using any of the UHV surface analysis equipment mentioned above would be of benefit.

Interested applicants should send their curriculum vitae and the names and contact information for three references by email as PDFs to: beatriz.roldan@rub.de