Research Assistant with the option of pursuing a doctoral degree – Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Ionic Carbon Nitrides (m/f/d) - 20-2026-WMA-Dok-QC

The Leibniz Institute for Surface Engineering (IOM) in Leipzig is seeking to fill the following position effective as of October 1^st for a limited duration of 45 months:

Research Assistant with the option of pursuing a doctoral degree – Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Ionic Carbon Nitrides (m/f/d)

The Leibniz Institute for Surface Engineering (IOM) is researching new functional and precision surfaces for applications of high societal relevance and emerging technologies. One key focus of IOM is on fundamental physical and chemical processes using ions, electrons, plasmas and photons. We are part of the Leibniz Association, one of the four major non-university science organizations with 96 institutes in Germany.

We are looking for a competent, open-minded personality to strengthen our team as of October 1^st, 2026. We offer you part-time (26,4 hours) employment with a limitation until June 30^th, 2030.

We offer you:

• An exciting role with diverse activities in an interdisciplinary working environment, along with the possibility of pursuing a doctorate
• Compensation in accordance with TV-L/ EG 13
• Participation in the company pension scheme (VBL)
• Flexible working hours with 26,4 hours/week
• A wide range of offerings to support work-life balance
• Assistance in securing a place at a kindergarten, free parking spaces, and capital-forming benefits

Your tasks:

• As part of the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center / Transregio 234, CataLight, you will work on the spectroscopic and mechanistic characterization of ionic carbon nitrides. To this end, you will use methods of optical time-resolved spectroscopy, Raman- and IR-spectroscopy as well as spectroelectrochemisty.
• You will collaborate with an international and interdisciplinary team.
• You will communicate with project partners and participate in joint measurement campaigns, including those outside the IOM.
• Communication and dissemination of research results within the scientific community and to the interested public.

Our requirements:

• Completed university degree in the field of chemistry or physics, preferably physical chemistry; Previous experience in ultrafast spectroscopy will be considered beneficial for the position
• Goal-oriented way of working and pragmatic attitude as well as high ability to work in a team
• Strong communication skills in English for effective collaboration in an interdisciplinary and international team
• Readiness to travel to collaboration partners in Germany and Austria to perform joint experiments

Severely handicapped individuals and those of equivalent status will be given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified. If you require special support or accommodation for barrier-free and inclusive work, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to assist you. The IOM attaches great importance to the professional equality of women and men and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply. The compatibility of career and family is specifically promoted.

Please send your application documents or questions by 10.07.2026 at bewerbung@iom-leipzig.de with the ID: 20-2026-WMA-Dok-QC in a single PDF file (max. 10 MB). 

The applicant agrees to the storage/processing of personal data (Art. 13 DSGVO) for the purpose of selecting applicants.

Leipzig, June 19, 2026