Academic Research Assistant

Saarland University is a campus university that is internationally recognized for its strong research programmes. Fostering young academic talent and creating ideal conditions for teaching and research are a core part of the university’s mission. As part of the University of the Greater Region, Saarland University enables students and staff to share and exchange knowledge and ideas between disciplines, between universities and across borders. With over 17,000 national and international students, studying more than a hundred different academic disciplines, Saarland University is a diverse and dynamic learning environment. [Saarland University is officially recognized as one of Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and with a combined workforce of more than 4,000 it is one of the largest employers in the region.]

The Department of Chemistry is inviting applications for the following position commencing 01 October 2025

Academic research assistant (M/F/X)

Reference number W2637, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale¹, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration of employment: 5 years, volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.

Workplace/Department:

You will be doing collaborative research on organic and/or inorganic thins films with emphasis on the electronic and magnetic properties. The newly established DFG-funded Research Training Group “Engineering of Covalent Bonds in Molecules and Materials” (www.uni-saarland.de/ecm2) puts its focus on the tuning of covalent bond strengths to alter the properties of materials of variable dimensionality. The deposition and characterization on surfaces will be a central aspect of your work. As the RTG comprises groups from Inorganic, Physical and Organic Chemistry as well as from Materials Science and Physics, you will interact with scientist of various backgrounds on a daily basis.

Job requirements and responsibilities:

• Thin layer deposition from gas and/or solution phase
• Surface characterization in particular by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
• International research track record
• Documentation, presentation and publication of scientific results

1 TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder

The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one year at level 1 of the E10 pay grade, an employee will move up to level 2. After a further two years, the employee will move to level 3, etc.

• Maintenance of AFM and deposition equipment
• Implementation of novel AFM techniques (conductive, magnetic)
• Interest in interdisciplinary approaches

Your academic qualifications:

• Doctoral degree / PhD in Natural Sciences / or equivalent
• Language skills (according to GER): English – C1

Desirable skills of the successful candidate include:

• Experience with air- and moisture sensitive molecules and/or materials
• Prior teaching experience
• Pursuit of an independent academic career
• Language skills (according to GER): German – B2

What we can offer you:

• An inspiring international environment
• Optional further academic qualification
• Opportunity to conduct independent research
• Research management & personal development courses
• A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of teleworking
• Secure and future-oriented employment with attractive conditions
• A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
• An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports programme
• Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
• Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket‘ of the saarVV)

We look forward to receiving your meaningful online application (in a single PDF file) by 31.05.2025 to grk-ecm2-bewerbungen@uni-saarland.de. Please include the reference number W2637 in the subject line of the e-mail.

If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance. Your contact:

Herr Prof. Dr. David Scheschkewitz

grk-ecm2@uni-saarland.de

Tel.: +49(0)681/302-71640

Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the requirements of the pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can find more information at https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.

Unfortunately, neither costs for attending an interview at Saarland University nor costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can be reimbursed in principle.

We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability.

When you submit a job application to Saarland University you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice for information on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. By submitting your application you confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland University privacy notice.