- TVoD-Bund E13 (75%)Public-sector salary scale
- ~EUR 36,000-42,000 / year (est.)Approximate gross salary
- +60% annual bonusAnnual special payment
- 30 daysAnnual paid vacation
- InternationalEligible applicants
- JuDocSStructured doctoral training programme
At a glance
full
Funding
€42k
Max amount
Dec 31, 2026
Deadline
Open to international applicants
Country
Forschungszentrum Julich
Provider
Forschungszentrum Julich, one of Germany's largest interdisciplinary research centres, offers fully funded PhD positions in Process Engineering tied to its HyInnoLyze2 and HyInnoAEM projects, which develop PEM and AEM electrolysis techniques for hydrogen production. Rather than a stipend, the doctoral researcher is employed and paid on the German public-sector TVoD-Bund E13 (75%) salary scale, with an additional annual bonus of around 60% of a monthly salary, placing typical gross pay in the region of EUR 36,000 to EUR 42,000 per year. The position includes 30 vacation days, flexible and partly remote working arrangements, access to advanced research infrastructure, and structured training through the JuDocS doctoral programme. The doctoral researcher optimises electrolysis test stands, runs electrochemical experiments on PEM and AEM cells, applies AI and machine learning for data analysis, develops automation and simulation models, works with industrial partners, and publishes results. Candidates need a master's degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or a related field, experience in electrochemical modelling, knowledge of electrolyser technology, programming skills in Python and LabVIEW, and proficiency in German and English. The post is open until filled, so apply early; confirm the exact salary band, bonus and current vacancy details on Julich's official careers portal before applying.
What's covered
- Employment salary — Paid employment on the TVoD-Bund E13 (75%) scale, with typical gross pay of roughly ~EUR 36,000-42,000 per year (est.) depending on experience and the official current rates.
- Annual bonus — An additional annual special payment of around 60% of a monthly salary on top of the base pay.
- Paid leave — 30 vacation days per year plus the leave and benefits standard for German public-sector employees.
- Research infrastructure — Full access to Julich's electrolysis test stands and advanced laboratories for electrochemical characterisation of materials.
- Doctoral training — Structured professional development through the JuDocS doctoral training programme, supporting completion of the PhD.
- Flexible working — Flexible work arrangements with remote-work options to support a healthy work-life balance.
How to apply
Applications are made online through Forschungszentrum Julich's careers portal; the vacancy is open until filled, so early applications are encouraged.
- Find the vacancy — Search Julich's official careers portal for the HyInnoLyze2 / HyInnoAEM PhD position in Process Engineering / electrolysis.
- Check the requirements — Confirm you hold a relevant master's degree and have the required experience in electrochemical modelling, electrolyser technology and Python/LabVIEW programming.
- Prepare your documents — Assemble a CV, academic transcripts and degree certificates, a cover/motivation letter, and references demonstrating your research and technical background.
- Submit the online application — Apply through the Julich careers portal, uploading all documents; apply early because the position is open until filled.
- Interview and offer — Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the project team; the selected candidate receives a TVoD-Bund employment contract for the doctoral position.
Eligibility
QualificationA master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field with strong academic performance.
Technical experienceExperience in electrochemical modelling and simulation, and knowledge of PEM and AEM electrolyser technology.
Programming & data skillsSkills in automation, data analysis (Python, LabVIEW) and AI-driven optimisation.
LanguagesProficiency in German and English, both written and spoken.
NationalityOpen to international applicants; the post is based at Forschungszentrum Julich in Germany.
Because this is an employment-based doctoral position, the researcher is hired under German public-sector terms (TVoD-Bund) rather than receiving a tax-free scholarship stipend.
Eligible countries
Open to international applicants
Deadlines
2026 (open until filled)~Rolling / open until filled 2026 (est.)
Future project openings~2027 (est.) as new positions are posted
Selection
Candidates are evaluated by the HyInnoLyze2 / HyInnoAEM project team on academic record in engineering, depth of experience in electrochemical modelling and PEM/AEM electrolyser technology, programming and data-analysis skills (Python, LabVIEW, AI methods), and German and English language ability. Because the vacancy is open until filled, applications are assessed on a rolling basis and the strongest candidate is offered a TVoD-Bund employment contract.
Verified sources
- Careers - Forschungszentrum Julichfz-juelich.deofficial
- Julich job vacanciesfz-juelich.deofficial
About the provider
Forschungszentrum Julich is one of Germany's largest interdisciplinary research institutions, a member of the Helmholtz Association, based near Cologne. It conducts research in energy, information and bioeconomy, including hydrogen and electrolysis technologies, and trains doctoral researchers through structured employment-based positions.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Forschungszentrum Julich funded PhD position?
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It is a fully funded doctoral research position in Process Engineering within the HyInnoLyze2 and HyInnoAEM projects, focused on PEM and AEM electrolysis techniques for hydrogen production at Forschungszentrum Julich in Germany.
Is this a scholarship or a salaried position?
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It is a salaried employment-based doctoral post: the researcher is paid on the German public-sector TVoD-Bund E13 (75%) scale rather than receiving a tax-free scholarship stipend.
How much does it pay?
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Pay follows the TVoD-Bund E13 (75%) scale, giving roughly ~EUR 36,000-42,000 per year (est.), plus an annual bonus of around 60% of a monthly salary; confirm exact rates on the Julich careers portal.
What benefits are included?
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Benefits include 30 vacation days, flexible and partly remote working, access to advanced research facilities, and structured training through the JuDocS doctoral programme.
Who is eligible to apply?
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Applicants need a master's degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or a related field with strong grades, plus experience in electrochemical modelling and electrolyser technology.
Can international students apply?
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Yes, the position is open to international applicants, but proficiency in both German and English is required.
What technical skills are required?
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Experience in electrochemical modelling and simulation, knowledge of PEM and AEM electrolyser technology, and skills in automation and data analysis using Python and LabVIEW.
What will the doctoral researcher work on?
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Optimising electrolysis test stands, running electrochemical experiments on PEM and AEM cells, applying AI/machine learning to data, developing automation and simulation models, collaborating with industry, and publishing findings.
When is the application deadline?
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There is no fixed deadline: the position is open until filled, so early applications are strongly encouraged.
How do I apply?
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Apply online through Forschungszentrum Julich's official careers portal, uploading your CV, transcripts, motivation letter and references.
What is the JuDocS programme?
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JuDocS is Julich's structured doctoral training programme, offering professional-development courses and support for PhD candidates throughout their research.
Where can I confirm current details?
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Confirm the exact salary band, bonus, requirements and vacancy status on Forschungszentrum Julich's official careers website before applying.