The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 21.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences.
In Department Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Chemistry - Computational Chemistry of Nanomaterials (Prof. Dr. Guido Falk von Rudorff), the following position is available as soon as possible:
Research Assistant (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H, fixed-term and part-time position (currently 26,8 hours per week).
Application deadline:
16.06.2026
Date of hire: as soon as possible
vacancy number: 39265
Part-time position at 67.00 percent of the regular working hours of a full-time employee. The position is initially limited to 36 months as part of the project “Entdeckung funktionaler Oxide durch Quantenalchemie der nächsten Generation (DISCOFOX)” in accordance with the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG). There is an opportunity to pursue a Ph.D.
This is a positon on electronic structure calculations for material design, in particular, a contribution to DFG project DISCOFOX: we investigate a perturbative electronic structure computational approach for the design of desirable functional oxides which is rooted in ab initio calculations rather than statistical modelling. Similar approaches have been successful for molecular systems but could not be transferred to materials yet, since careful consideration of the difference in electronic structure calculations and the semiconducting nature of the systems are required. By computationally varying the nuclear charges, we can connect otherwise independent systems via a smooth change of the system Hamiltonian. The corresponding alchemical derivatives (which are physically well-defined) connect those systems and allow for materials design by following the gradients w.r.t. composition for stability, defect formation energies, band gaps, band edges and band curvatures, which may prove useful in materials design.
Tasks:
- Independent scientific collaboration on the above-mentioned project
- Data analysis and interpretation, numerical modeling, and preparation of scientific publications
- Participation in the maintenance and development of the department’s infrastructure
- Participation in the department’s public outreach and communication of our research to the general public
Requirements:
- Completed course of academic study (Master degree) within the field of Physics, Chemistry, Nanomaterials or equivalent. The required degree must be available by the recruitment date at the latest.
- Fluent in English, both written and oral
- Experience with atomistic electronic structure calculations
- Programming skills
- Willingness to undertake research stay abroad
Advantages are:
- Prior knowledge of atomic and molecular physics
- Thorough and independent working style
- Knowledge of Python
- German language skills
For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Guido Falk von Rudorff, Tel.: +49 561 804-4762.
In the event of any differences between the German and English versions of this call for application, the German wording is legally binding.
Our Offer:
As an employee of the University of Kassel
- you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
- you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
- you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
- is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.
In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:
- an additional company pension (VBL),
- an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
- an annual bonus
- an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
- a promotion of voluntary commitment,
- low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management
You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de
Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you in our .
In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form addressed to: The President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany, or via mail to , stating the reference number.
In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data protection regulations.
The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.
Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found at:
Information and FAQ about applying for a job offer:
The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions). Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.
