RESOLV (Ruhr Explores Solvation) is a world-leading interdisciplinary research institution in Solvation Science awarded as a Cluster of Excellence by the German Excellence Strategy and funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Within RESOLV, more than 200 scientists at six institutions in the Ruhr Area, covering experimental chemistry, theory, chemical physics, and chemical engineering, investigate how solvents are involved in the control, mediation and regulation of chemical reactions and processes. RESOLV’s mission stretches from fundamental research to the translation into applications and products. For more information on RESOLV, please refer to .

To complement the existing expertise in the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV (EXC 2033), we announce a position for an

Early Career Research (ECR) Group Leader (m/f/d)

(according to TV-L 14 salary; with start-up package; funding from 01.08.2026 until 31.12.2032) to build up an independent ECR group “Ultrafast spectroscopy at electrochemical interfaces” at Max-Panck-Institut für Nachhaltige Materialien GmbH (MPI SusMat) to link the research in electrochemistry and spectroscopy at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) with that at the MPI SusMat.

Your tasks:

The new joint RUB-MPI ECR group “Ultrafast spectroscopy at electrochemical interfaces” will aim to gain fundamental insights into electrochemical processes. To this end, the ECR group will focus on approaches to obtain quantitative information about ultrafast reorientation processes in electrochemical reactions as a function of various parameters. The proposed research should be closely connected to the research program of RESOLV and provide ideas for collaborations with MPI SusMat.

Your profile:

The applicants (m/f/d) are expected to have

• a full university degree with a doctorate in chemistry, physics or a related discipline,
• experience in (ultrafast) spectroscopy and electrochemistry,
• an outstanding record of publications,
• experience with interdisciplinary research projects, and
• ability and willingness to collaborate with existing groups in the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV and at MPI SusMat.
• International experience as a postdoc is beneficial.

Our offer:

The aforementioned position will be embedded in the high-profile research environment of the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV and will be integrated into the International Faculty Solvation Science. The group will strongly benefit from the latest research infrastructure provided by MPI SusMat (), the Research Center ZEMOS (“Center for Molecular Spectroscopy and Simulation of Solvent Controlled Processes”, ), and the Cluster of Excellence RESOLV. The start-up package includes consumables and travel resources, office and lab space, funding for personnel, and the opportunity to submit applications for investments and supplementary funding.

The earliest starting date would be August 1, 2026, the exact starting date is subject to negotiation. Funding of the group and group leader position is restricted until 31.12.2032. Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae (with information about awards, presentations, grants), a list of all publications, a list and PDFs of the five most important publications, a two-page outline of the general research interests, and a two-page research plan (until 31.12.2032) in Solvation Science.

The Max-Planck-Institut für Nachhaltige Materialien GmbH is committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially encourages them to apply. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

PD Dr. Michael Rohwerder