BASF

Postdoc Fundamental Chemistry for Enabling Self-Driving Lab for Thermal CO₂ Valorization (m/f/d)

BASF  •  Ludwigshafen am Rhein, DE (Onsite)  •  1 hour ago
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Job Description

WELCOME TO BASF

We are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher within the ASCEND (Accelerate Positive Clean Energy Districts) project, contributing to Work Package 01 Digital Catalysis and Work Package 04 Self-Driving Lab for Thermal CO₂ Valorization.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The position focuses on the development of chemically meaningful descriptors and their on-demand computational generation, enabling their integration into data-driven experimental design frameworks. The overall objective is to support chemically informed and efficient exploration of large catalyst and process spaces within autonomous (self-driving) laboratory environments.

  • You will develop physically and chemically meaningful descriptors for catalytic systems relevant to thermal CO₂ valorization.
  • Furthermore, you will implement computational pipelines for scalable, on-demand descriptor generation.
  • You will interface descriptor frameworks with data-driven exploration strategies.
  • Additionally, you will contribute to method development and validation in collaboration with experimental and digital teams.
  • You will support the integration of methods into self-driving laboratory workflows.
  • Last but not least, you will disseminate results through scientific publications and project reports.

WHAT YOU OFFER

  • PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field
  • strong expertise in computational chemistry (e.g. DFT, atomistic simulations) and catalyst modelling (heterogeneous and/or homogeneous systems)
  • experience with Python-based scientific computing (e.g. FireWorks, Jobflow, pymatgen, ASE or similar tools) as well as modelling and analysis of catalytic or materials systems
  • proven ability to translate chemical insight into quantitative descriptors
  • knowledge of design of experiments (DOE), active learning, Bayesian optimization or machine learning methods for chemical systems is considered a plus
  • familiarity with high-throughput computational or experimental workflows, automated or self-driving laboratory concepts, as well as strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Participation in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research project within ASCEND
  • Access to advanced computational and experimental infrastructures
  • Opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation autonomous research systems
  • Dynamic research environment with strong academic and industrial collaboration

HOW TO REACH US

  • Larissa Anna Treiber (Talent Acquisition), larissa-anna.treiber@basf.com, Tel: +49 30 2005-56384 will be happy to answer your questions for this position.
  • You can also reach our recruiting team here
  • First information about our application process can be found here

ABOUT US

Please attach a curriculum vitae, a publication list, as well as a brief research statement (maximum two pages) describing your relevant experience and research interests (in English). For more information about the ASCEND project, please visit the ASCEND project website

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BASF

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States.

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Industry
Chemicals & Materials
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
Ludwigshafen, DE
Year Founded
1865
Website
basf.com
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