Job advertisement

Vacancy ID: 235/2026
Closing date: 2026-10-30

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in the profile areas Light – Life – Liberty, which provide pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments. With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, it defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation.

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry seeks to fill the position of a

Postdoctoral Researcher / Junior Research Group Leader (Theoretical Description of Light-Driven Catalysis in Soft Matter)

We offer a full-time position (100% / 40 hours per week) starting from January 2027 for an initial period of two years, with the possibility to extend until the end of the third funding period of TRR 234 “CataLight” (30.06.2030).

The highly interdisciplinary consortium of the TRR 234 “CataLight” targets light-driven catalytic processes within soft matter environments with a combined experimental, analytical and theoretical approach. As part of this collaborative research centre, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher who operates at the interface of macromolecular and theoretical chemistry, i.e. by investigating structure-dynamics-function relationships in soft matter materials with embedded functional building blocks. In particular, we are interested in multi-scale description of catalytically active building blocks in dynamic soft matter environments. We expect you to independently design and conduct advanced research projects, and supervise and mentor scientific staff and doctoral candidates, including performance evaluation and career development.

As associated researcher, you will be an integral part of this consortium and will have access to the entire network and infrastructure which the participating nodes provide. You will participate in all network events and we anticipate that you will develop your independent research profile within this position. You will also have the ability to (co-)supervise PhD researchers.

Your responsibilities:

• build up your own research profile at the interface of theoretical chemistry and macromolecular chemistry
• Independently design and conduct interdisciplinary research projects
• Supervise and mentor graduate students and doctoral researchers, including performance evaluation and career development
• Acquire and manage external funding from public agencies and industry, including budget responsibility and reporting
• Participate in teaching on Master course level

Your profile:

• PhD degree in theoretical chemistry, theoretical material science or in a field related to these areas.
• Experience in multiscale modelling of soft matter, hybrid materials, or related fields
• excellent English (and German) language skills, both written and spoken
• independent goal-oriented and interdisciplinary working style
• willingness to work in an international team

We offer:

• Working at a family-friendly university with flexible working hours
• Attractive fringe benefits, e.g. German capital-forming benefits (VL), company pension scheme (VBL),
• Mentoring by experienced scientific supervisors; further training opportunities
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal
• States (TV-L) at salary scale 13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a
• special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.
• 30 days of vacation per calendar year plus two days off on December 24 and 31

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) and an initial fixed-term position for 2 years.

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work for us? Then apply by 30.10.2026 using our online form.

For further information for applicants and the information on the collection of personal data, please refer to