Doctoral Student (f/m/d) for Spin and Oxidation States of High-Valent Calcium Manganese Oxide Clusters that Mimic the Active Site of the Oxygen Evolving Complex

• PS 2025/1 We are investigating the electronic and magnetic properties of transition metal centres in clusters and organometallic coordination entities that we prepare and investigate atom by atom or ligand by ligand. To this end, we operate a unique cryogenic ion trap setup for gas-phase soft-x-ray absorption (XAS) and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy at BESSY II that is designed to study highly-dilute gas-phase samples with the highest sensitivity. We use these tools to arrive at a fundamental understanding of spin and oxidation states in coordination entities of 3d, 4d, 5d, and 4f transition elements. A special focus is on manganese oxide and calcium manganese oxide clusters that serve as model systems for the active center of the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II, where we strive to understand the involvement of elusive manganese(V)-oxo or manganese(IV)-oxyl active centers in dioxygen formation. In this project, we will tailor local symmetry and oxidation state of manganese centers by coordination of appropriate ligands to oxygen-rich manganese oxide clusters. This project is performed in close cooperation with leading groups intheoretical chemistry. We invite applications for a PhD student/doctoral researcher position at our Berlin-Adlershof site to investigate "spin and oxidation states of high-valent calcium manganese oxide clusters that mimic the active site of the oxygen evolving complex".

• You will prepare and investigate spin and oxidation states of gas-phase coordination complexes with high-valent manganese centres by magnetron sputtering, gas-phase ion chemistry, ion trapping, mass spectrometry, XAS, and XMCD at BESSY II.
• You will be involved in the design of experiments, and in planning and implementation of measurement campaigns at BESSY II.
• You will analyze data and interpret results with support from multireference computational methods in cooperation with our collaborators.
• You will communicate your research results by publication in scientific journals, and by presentation and discussion at workshops and international conferences.

• You hold a recent M.Sc.

• You have experience with experimental work in one or more of the following areas: synchrotron radiation, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, ion traps, transition metal complexes, high vacuum, and cryogenics.
• You are able and willing to perform cutting-edge research in international teams and to participate in measurement campaigns, which also includes occasional night shifts or weekend working hours.
• You have good written and oral skills in English, and at least basic skills in German.

• a doctoral researcher position at one of the 18 Helmholtz centres
• work in the research environment of the science metropolis Berlin with links to the Berlin universities
• the opportunity to contribute with leading international researchers to the develop­ment of renewable energies, energy storage and next-generation technologies for a climate-friendly future
• career guidance, specific training offers, and networking with peers provided by the HZB Graduate Center
• 30 days annual leave
• good work-life-balance through counselling services on family and career and flexible working time models: Flextime, part-time, hybrid working
• commitment to diversity and sustainability through an inclusive working environment, promotion of diversity sensitivity and implementation of sustainable and climate-neutral methods
• extensive additional benefits, such as continuing education opportunities, company pension plan (VBL), subsidy for public transport, (Deutschlandticket Job) and company sports programmes
• and a team that looks forward to meeting you!

Fixed term contract for 48 months.

CONTACT Prof.

Dr. Tobias Lau +49 30 8062 14786 tobias.lau@helmholtz-berlin.de IMPRINT &DATA PROTECTION