Early Career Research (ECR) Group Leader position (m/f/d) with the thematic focus on “Catalysis[...]

Overview

Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry: Cluster of Excellence RESOLV. In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%), the earliest starting date would be January 1, 2026, the exact starting date is subject to negotiation. We are looking for 1 position.

Your task / Position title

Early Career Research (ECR) Group Leader position (m/f/d) with the thematic focus on “Catalysis” within the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV.

RESOLV (Ruhr Explores Solvation) is a world-leading interdisciplinary research institution in Solvation Science awarded as a Cluster of Excellence by the German Excellence Strategy and funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. It comprises more than 200 scientists at six institutions in the Ruhr Area, covering experimental chemistry, theory, chemical physics, and chemical engineering, investigating how solvents are involved in the control, mediation and regulation of chemical reactions and processes. RESOLV’s mission spans fundamental research to translation into applications and products. For more information on RESOLV, please refer to www.solvation.de.

To complement the existing expertise in the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV (EXC 2033), we announce a position for an Early Career Research (ECR) Group Leader (m/f/d; according to TV-L 14 salary; with start-up package; funding from 01.01.2026 until 31.12.2032) to build up an independent ECR group with the thematic focus on “Catalysis”. This group will be initiated as a link between the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) and the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung (MPI KoFo) in Mülheim in the framework of the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV, and will be hosted by RUB.

Your tasks

The aim of the new joint RUB-MPI ECR Group “Catalysis” is to rationally develop and optimize reactions and processes in catalytic synthesis, based on an understanding of solvation processes at the molecular level. A close collaboration with the existing groups in RESOLV is expected.

Your profile

• The applicants (m/f/d) are expected to have
• a full university degree with a doctorate in chemistry or a related discipline
• experience in synthesis and catalysis
• an outstanding record of publications
• fascination for the interdisciplinary research field Solvation Science
• ability and willingness to collaborate with existing groups in the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV
• International experience as a postdoc is beneficial

We offer

The aforementioned position will be embedded in the high-profile research environment of the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV and will be integrated into the International Faculty Solvation Science. The group will benefit from the latest research infrastructure provided by MPI KoFo, the Research Center ZEMOS, and the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV. The start-up package includes consumables and travel resources, office and lab space, funding for personnel, and the opportunity to submit applications for investments and supplementary funding.

Further information

The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E14 TV-L.

Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German).

The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum. If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation. RUB languages are German and English; competence in at least one language and willingness to learn the other are prerequisites. Free language courses are offered.

The earliest starting date would be January 1, 2026, the exact starting date is subject to negotiation. Funding is restricted until 31.12.2032. Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae, a list of publications, PDFs of five important publications, a two-page outline of general research interests, and a two-page research plan for seven years in Solvation Science. German language courses are offered by the University Language Center.

Administrative notes: The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the candidate’s request, it will ensure participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.

We are committed to equality and diversity

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is a leading research university. We strive for a diverse and equal-opportunity workplace and encourage applications from women and individuals with disabilities.

Contact for further information

Dr. Julia Nowack, Tel.: +49 234 32 27240

Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings for interviews cannot be reimbursed.

We look forward to receiving your application via our online portal by 2025-10-07. Please mention the reference number ANR 4982.

Online application