Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) October 01, 2026, we are looking for 1 Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x) This job offer is part of the Horizon Europe project AIM (AI-Multiscale Integration for Waste-to-Value Digital Twins). AIM is a four-year project, funded by the EU through Horizon Europe. It brings together seven research groups and companies across Europe to develop advanced computational tools for turning waste (such as hard-to-recycle plastics, flue gases, and brine) into valuable fuels, chemicals, and materials using solar-powered devices. The core challenge is simulating the chemistry of these processes at very different levels, from individual atoms up to full working devices. These scales are hard to connect to one another. AIM uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to bridge that gap and build a Digital Twin that links atomic-scale chemistry, mesoscale transport, and device-level performance, allowing researchers to test, predict, and optimize designs in a computer before building them physically. By improving the accuracy and speed of these simulations, automating the workflows, and validating the models against real experimental data, the project aims to accelerate the development of cleaner, more efficient technologies for a circular economy while training the next generation of researchers in these digital skills. The successful applicant will become part of the research group of Prof. Silvana Botti at RC FEMS and the Ruhr University Bochum. The newly founded Research Center focuses on developing innovative materials and systems for sustainable energy applications. The center's research areas include photovoltaics, thermoelectricity, energy storage, fuel cells, and sustainable chemical processes, among others. Its interdisciplinary approach involves collaborations between physicists, chemists, engineers, and material scientists to address the challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The center also offers opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to participate in cutting-edge research projects and receive advanced training in the field of energy materials and systems. The chair of Prof. Botti is affiliated with the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy of the Ruhr University Bochum. This faculty is a leading research and teaching institution in the fields of experimental and theoretical physics and astronomy, with a focus on condensed matter physics, astrophysics, and particle physics. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the group of Prof. Silvana Botti at the Research Center Future Energy Materials and Systems (RC FEMS) and the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) within the EU-funded Horizon Europe project AIM (AI-Multiscale Integration for Waste-to-Value Digital Twins). The position focuses on the development of advanced computational methods for modeling photo-excited states and ultrafast dynamics at complex catalytic interfaces relevant to waste-to-value technologies. Scope: full-time Duration: fixed-term, 3 Jahren Start: October 01, 2026 Apply by: Your tasks: The successful candidate (f/m/x) will - develop and apply methods at the intersection of density functional perturbation theory, real-time time-dependent DFT, and machine learning - advance understanding of photocatalytic processes for waste remediation and solar reforming of polymeric materials Your profile: Required qualifications: - A PhD in solid-state physics, solid-state chemistry, materials science, or a very closely related field - Strong background in density functional theory and solid-state theory - Solid programming skills (e.g., Python, Fortran, C/C++) - Demonstrated ability to carry out independent research, evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals - Good command of English, both written and spoken - We are looking for researchers who develop methods, codes, and models — not users. Experience limited to running standard DFT codes or training simple ML models will not be considered. [https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/b4794a0fad8f2e0fcc85f5101a95f4d9e8573d1d0?ref=AfA](https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/b4794a0fad8f2e0fcc85f5101a95f4d9e8573d1d0?ref=AfA)