PhD Student (f/m/d) Interaction of organometallic technetium with metabolites and Fe(II) minerals

Through cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) solves some of the pressing societal and industrial challenges of our time. Join our 1.500 employees from more than 70 nations at one of our six research sites!

The Institute of Resource Ecology (IRE) performs research to protect humans and the environment from hazards caused by pollutants resulting from technical processes that produce energy and raw materials. One major goal is gaining a better understanding of fundamental processes defining transport and accumulation of radiotoxic elements in the geo- and biosphere including the food chain.

The Department of Surface Processes is looking for a PhD Student (f/m/d) Interaction of organometallic technetium with metabolites and Fe(II) minerals.

Technetium (Tc) is the lightest element with only radioactive isotopes. Its molecular interactions in the environment are poorly understood. The Ph.D. studies will focus on the interaction of organometallic Tc with metabolites, with Fe(II) minerals, and mixtures of metabolites and Fe(II) minerals. The interactions will be comprehensively quantified and characterized to identify the Tc molecular structure in solution and the mechanism responsible for Tc removal by minerals.

• Determination of organometallic Tc complexation constants with metabolites
• Retention experiments of organometallic technetium with Fe(II) minerals in presence and absence of metabolites
• Characterization of the Tc structural environment both in solution (Tc-metabolite complexes) or in the solid phase (Tc-Fe(II) mineral interaction) by spectroscopic (e.g. UV-vis, Raman, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray absorption spectroscopies) and microscopic (e.g., scanning and transmission electron microscopy) techniques
• Presentation of results at international conferences and their publication in peer-reviewed journals

• Very good university degree in Natural Science, preferably in Chemistry (Master, Diploma)
• Experience in synthesis and characterization of air sensitive minerals (technetium, iron(II) mineral phases, etc)
• Experience working in glove boxes and Schlenk line
• Experience in spectroscopy (Raman, Mössbauer, infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance) and other physico-chemical characterization techniques (X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy)
• Experience in experimental lab work
• Willingness to handle open radioactive materials in a radiation safety controlled lab is required
• Ability to communicate and conduct work in an interdisciplinary research team (radiochemistry, biochemistry, geochemistry, physical chemistry) and willingness to participate in scientific conferences and workshops
• Excellent fluent communication skills in (scientific) English (a basic German knowledge is an advantage)

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
• An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"