Responsibilities

The successful candidate will perform scientific research within the above-mentioned project. In addition to the assigned duties, opportunities for academic development will be provided. The position also offers the possibility of pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD) alongside the project work.

The five-year project "BioValCat" (Enhanced Biomass Valorisation by Engineering of Polyoxometalate Catalysts), funded through the ERC Consolidator Grant 2022, aims to enable 100% carbon-efficient utilization of complex biomass by developing innovative polyoxometalate (POM) catalyst–solvent systems for both aerobic and anaerobic applications. The long-term objective is to establish this technology as a versatile and broadly applicable process for sustainable biomass valorization.

Manipulating molecular catalysts such as polyoxometalates (POMs) in solution through adjustments of solvent properties and gas atmospheres represents a novel approach to catalytic biomass conversion. BioValCat seeks to transform this concept into an industrially applicable biomass valorization process by establishing the scientific and engineering foundations for a scalable, safe, and economically viable process for the oxidation of biomass into valuable carboxylic acid esters.

A particular focus of this position is the investigation of an expanded range of feedstocks and products for the selective oxidation of biomass in short-chain polar solvents. The current emphasis on lignocellulosic biomass will be extended to include marine biomass, such as chitin, chitosan, and protein-rich substrates. In addition, the selective production of valuable dicarboxylic acids, including maleic acid and succinic acid, will be investigated in detail.

This position is intended for applicants who hold a university degree (without a doctoral degree) in Inorganic Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Molecular Science, Technical Chemistry, or a closely related discipline. Applications from graduates of Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) are explicitly encouraged.

Application deadline: July 5, 2026

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Albert (jakob.albert"AT"uni-hamburg.de), Dr.-Ing. Dorothea Voß (dorothea.voss"AT"uni-hamburg.de)

Job Advertisement (PDF)

Intended for: Bachelor-/Master-Thesis/ Research Internship
Field: Inorganic Chemistry 
Duration/Starting Date: Individual Arrangement

Description:

Contributing to saving the world from climate change and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels starts with developing new solutions. In our group, we work on the development of new inorganic catalysts that support the transition to a sustainable chemical industry.

Our research focuses on polyoxometalates (POMs), metal-oxygen clusters known for their tunable acidity, redox properties, and structural versatility. These molecules are promising candidates for the oxidation of biomass into valuable platform chemicals, which are important building blocks for a greener future.

In this project, you will:

• Synthesize different types of POMs with varying heteroelements

• Systematically study their acidity and redox potential

• Learn and apply methods in inorganic synthesis and molecular characterization (e.g., NMR, IR, UV/Vis, TGA, ICP-OES, etc.)

• Contribute directly to a meaningful scientific goal within the BioValCat project

You’ll be part of a collaborative and motivated team. The compounds you synthesize won’t just sit on a shelf, they’ll play a key role in real catalytic applications aimed at reducing our dependency on fossil resources.

Requirements:

• Interest in inorganic chemistry and molecular synthesis

• Good English communication skills

• High level of enthusiasm, motivation, and team spirit

If you're excited about working on meaningful research and gaining practical experience in an advanced lab environment, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Contact:

Pegah Saedi
Office: TMC A203
E-Mail: Pegah.saedi@uni-hamburg.de<br />(Pegah.saedi"AT"uni-hamburg.de)Tel.: +49 40 42838-6003

Dr. Maximilian J. Poller
Office: TMC D29
E-Mail: maximilian.poller"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Tel.: +49 40 42838-3172

Intended for: Master-Thesis
Field: Inorganic Chemistry 
Duration/Starting Date: 6 months / 2025

Research Focus: 
Investigation of polyoxometalates (POMs) as innovative catalysts for the deoxygenation of biomass derivatives - Comparative study of different POM structures, including various heteroatoms, cations, and addenda metals, in catalytic reactions - Application of POMs in the model reaction converting 1,2-hexanediol into 1-hexene via catalytic deoxydehydration (DODH)

Project Description:  
The transformation of biomass into valuable chemicals is often hindered by its complex, polyhydroxylated polymeric structure. To advance sustainable chemical processes, this thesis focuses on exploring alternative catalysts for deoxygenation reactions. Specifically, the project investigates the use of polyoxometalates (POMs)—oxygen-metal clusters traditionally used in oxidation and acid catalysis—as potential catalysts for the DODH reaction. These POMs can be chemically tuned by varying heteroatoms, metals, and supporting cations, offering exciting opportunities for green catalysis under mild conditions. You will accompany the development and testing of these novel catalysts, characterize their structures and properties, and evaluate their performance in the DODH reaction. The goal is to identify catalysts with high activity, selectivity, and recyclability, thereby contributing to sustainable biomass valorization pathways.

Your Profile:
Enrolled in Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline - Strong interest in catalysis, reaction engineering, and green chemistry - Knowledge of inorganic chemistry, catalysis,- Practical and hands on skills for working with chemical synthesis and testing – well Organized, good analytical skills, and capable of independent work. 

What We Offer:
Involvement in cutting-edge research aligned with sustainable chemistry and biomass valorization - Practical experience in catalyst synthesis, characterization, and performance testing - Collaborations within an interdisciplinary team of chemists and engineers - Flexible project organization tailored to your needs and academic schedule If you are passionate about innovative catalysis and sustainable chemical processes, we look forward to receiving your application! Please prepare a CV and a motivation letter highlighting your relevant skills and interest in this project.

Feel free to contact us for further information or specific guidance.

Contact person:

Dr. Maximilian J. Poller
Office: TMC D29
E-Mail: maximilian.poller"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Tel.: +49 40 42838-3172

Intended for: Research internship, bachelor's thesis, master's thesis
Field: Technical Chemistry 
Duration/Starting Date: Individual Arrangement

Description:  

The rapid growth of the world's population is leading to an increase in waste, which includes biomass. The sustainable use of biomass waste can therefore help protect the world from climate change and enable the more efficient use of raw materials. Research into the conversion of biomass into widely used chemicals (platform chemicals) represents one way of reducing waste.

The BioValCat project (Enhanced Biomass Valorisation by Engineering of Polyoxometalate Catalysts)  is researching ways to convert biomass into lactic acid or formic acid using POM catalysts (polyoxometalates).

This sub-project involves converting biomass into lactic acid using POMs and anaerobic conditions. This will give you insights into a wide variety of areas of chemistry. In the course of the project, you will work on the following topics at different scale-up plants:

·         Synthesis and characterization of POM catalysts
·         Reaction engineering investigation of catalyst performance and the associated influence on the reaction mechanism
·         Optimization of reaction conditions
·         Application of analytical methods such as NMR, CHNS-O, ICP-OES, HPLC, GC, TGA, etc.

·         Direct contribution to an important scientific goal within the BioValCat project

You will be part of a cooperative and motivated team in which your research will play a relevant role in the further progress of the working group.

Requirements:

·         Interest in technical and inorganic chemistry
·         Good English skills
·         High level of enthusiasm, motivation, and team

Contact person:

Elisabeth Hundt
E-Mail: elisabeth.hundt"AT"chemie.uni-hamburg.de
Tel.: +49 40 42838-6047

Intended for: Bachelor's / Master's Thesis, Research Internship
Field: Technical Chemistry
Starting Date: By arrangement

Research Focus:
Optimization of equilibrium-limited esterification reactions using heteropolyacids (HPAs) in two-phase SNISMs (Strongly Non-Ideal Solvent Mixtures) systems to improve product yields and catalyst recyclability.

Project Description:
The efficiency of chemical syntheses is determined by the interplay between the catalyst and the reaction medium. In homogeneous catalysis, high substrate solubility, fast reaction kinetics, high product yields, and the recyclability of both catalyst and solvent are essential for developing more sustainable chemical processes.

Within the DFG-funded project SNISMs (Strongly Non-Ideal Solvent Mixtures), esterification reactions are investigated as equilibrium-limited model reactions. The aim is to shift the reaction equilibrium through the use of tailored solvent additives, thereby increasing product yields. By employing heteropolyacids (HPAs) as catalysts, the reactions can be performed under mild operating conditions (1 bar, 25–50 °C).

Building on the successful development of single-phase reaction systems, this project extends the concept to two-phase systems. These systems enable a further shift of the reaction equilibrium toward the products while allowing direct separation of the catalyst and product. The project focuses on the esterification of ethanol with formic acid and/or acetic acid, aiming to improve equilibrium yields and systematically investigate the recyclability of both the HPA catalyst and the solvent system.

In this project, you will:
Conduct esterification experiments using a fourfold glass reactor setup and evaluate various SNISMs additives that generate two-phase systems – Determine equilibrium positions and reaction kinetics using ¹H NMR spectroscopy – Characterize catalysts using a variety of analytical techniques, including NMR, IR, Raman spectroscopy, TGA, and ICP-OES – Separate catalyst, product, and solvent through extraction and membrane filtration – Assess the recyclability of both the catalyst and the solvent system.

Your Profile:
Interest in fundamental research in Technical Chemistry – Knowledge of NMR spectroscopy – Strong motivation, careful laboratory practice, and enthusiasm for catalysis, reaction engineering, and sustainable chemistry.

What We Offer:
The opportunity to become part of a collaborative and motivated research team – Hands-on experience in catalysis, esterification reactions, and modern analytical techniques – Insight into sustainable solvent systems and homogeneous catalysis – The chance to make an important contribution to the success of the DFG-funded SNISMs project.

job posting

Contact:

Lasse Prawitt
Office: TMC C126a
E-Mail: lasse.prawitt"AT"uni-hamburg.de

Dr. Maximilian J. Poller
Office: TMC B119
E-Mail: maximilian.poller"AT"uni-hamburg.de

Intended for: Research Internship
Field: Technical Chemistry
Duration/Starting Date: Individual Arrangement

Research Focus:
Development of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based catalyst systems for glycerol valorization in SMART reactor systems. Functionalization of CNT-coated catalyst supports with active metals such as ruthenium (Ru) and copper (Cu) to enhance catalytic activity and selectivity for the hydrogenolysis of glycerol to 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO).

Project Description:
This project is part of the Collaborative Research Center SMART Reactors, involving several academic partners, including Hamburg University of Technology, the University of Hamburg, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. The overall objective is to develop innovative reactor concepts for the sustainable valorization of biomass. A key research focus is the catalytic conversion of glycerol, a renewable by-product of biodiesel production, into the valuable platform chemical 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) through hydrogenolysis. Within this project, carbon nanotube (CNT)-coated catalyst supports are developed and functionalized with active metals to improve catalytic performance. You will support the development and optimization of CNT-based catalyst systems, functionalize catalyst supports using metal impregnation and coating techniques, work with laboratory equipment such as dip-coating and electrochemical deposition systems, evaluate the stability and performance of coated catalyst structures, and characterize materials using modern analytical techniques, including SEM, XRF, ICP-OES, HPLC, and NMR.

Your Profile:
Currently enrolled in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, or a related field – Good to very good English language skills; German language skills are an advantage – Highly motivated with a strong interest in catalysis, materials development, and sustainable chemical processes – Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research team.

What We Offer:
The opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research within the Collaborative Research Center SMART Reactors – Hands-on experience in catalyst development, coating technologies, and advanced material characterization – Access to modern laboratory equipment and analytical methods – Collaboration within an interdisciplinary and international research environment – Flexible project organization tailored to your academic schedule. If you are excited about sustainable catalysis and gaining practical research experience in an advanced laboratory environment, we look forward to hearing from you!

job posting

Contact:

Mahsa Mohammadi
Office: TMC D135
E-Mail: mahsa.mohammadi.bidhendi"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Phone: +49 40 42838-6003