Job Description
Conducting research for a changing society: This is what drives us at Forschungszentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, we aim to tackle the grand societal challenges of our time and conduct research into the possibilities of a digitized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. Work together with around 7,500 employees in one of Europe's biggest research centers and help us to shape change!
Would you like to actively shape the structural change in the Rhenish mining area together with us? With us you have the chance to join the newly founded Institute for a Sustainable Hydrogen Economy (INW) with your ideas right from the start. Together with the H2 demonstration region, the INW forms the “Helmholtz Cluster for Sustainable and Infrastructure-Compatible Hydrogen Economy” (HC-H2). Here, scientific foundations are laid in the field of innovative hydrogen technologies in order to advance research and develop approaches with high sustainability potential and attractive economic prospects. At the institute division “Catalytic Interfaces for Chemical Hydrogen Storage” (INW-1, Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Steinrück), we investigate mechanisms and processes in (electro-)chemical energy storage systems. For these purposes, we develop and use advanced (X-ray-based) methods as well as modern data reduction und data evaluation methods, including machine learning and big data analytics.
We are looking to recruit a
Controls System Engineer
- System design and implementation for an in-house X-ray beamline for long-term operando investigation of chemical hydrogen storage reactors
- Modeling and simulation of the beamline to analyze and optimize system behavior before physical implementation
- Development of algorithms and control software for the full automation of long-term and high-throughput operando experiments
- Implementation, operation, and optimization of SPS- and PLC-based control systems for experimental equipment and beamline instrumentation
- Integration of hardware and software interfaces (motors, detectors, sensors, sample environments) into a unified control system
- Testing, troubleshooting, and ensuring reliability of automated beamline operations under extended deployment conditions
- Design and implementation of data acquisition workflows to ensure reliable storage, transfer, and handling of large experimental datasets in real time
- Development of online analysis and monitoring tools to provide rapid feedback during experiments, enabling automated decision-making and system optimization
- Close collaboration with synchrotron groups and in-house scientists for design, commissioning, and operation of experiments
- Collaboration with the INW-1 machine learning team on data handling, online analysis, design of experiments (DoE), and data categorization to enable efficient and automated evaluation of operando experiments
- Collaboration with other groups, in particular at INW and Forschungszentrum Jülich
- Participation in extended visits to synchrotron facilities (DESY, ESRF, or similar large-scale research facilities)
- Support in establishing the institute's research infrastructure and laboratory operations
- Bachelor's or master's degree in physics, electrical engineering, control systems engineering, mechatronics, or a related discipline
- A doctoral degree would be considered an advantage, but candidates with strong practical experience are equally encouraged to apply
- Solid knowledge and hands-on experience with SPS / PLC systems, automation, and control engineering
- Experience in control and instrumentation of large-scale facilities, ideally synchrotron / FEL / neutron instrumentation or comparable complex systems
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., OPC UA, Modbus, PROFIBUS, EtherCAT)
- Experience with programming and scripting languages (ideally Python, C / C++, or similar) for system integration and automation
- Knowledge of data acquisition and experimental control frameworks (EPICS, Tango, or similar)
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Very independent and self-motivated way of working but also excellent teamwork skills
- High motivation to take on responsibility, ensure system reliability, and develop own research ideas
- Willingness for regular business trips and extended stays at partner facilities
We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:
- Fair remuneration: Depending on your existing qualifications and the tasks assigned to you, you will be classified in pay grade 10–11 or 13 of the TVöD-Bund (Collective Agreement for the Public Service). All information on the TVöD-Bund can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed. The monthly salaries in euros can be found here: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt.
- Additional benefits: Benefit from attractive additional services, such as a company pension scheme with employer contribution. In addition to your basic salary, you will receive an annual bonus and capital-forming benefits.
- Perspective: After a two-year fixed-term contract, our goal is to hire you on a permanent basis. Let's use this time to find out how well we fit together.
- Annual leave: You will receive 30 days of annual leave plus additional days off (e.g., between Christmas and New Year's Day).
- Work-life balance: We offer optimal conditions for balancing work and private life as well as a family-friendly company policy. Flexible working arrangements (including remote working) are generally possible upon agreement and in line with upcoming tasks and (on-site) appointments.
- Flexibility: Flexible working time models, including options close to full-time, allow you to tailor your working hours to suit your individual needs. For more information, visit https://go.fzj.de/near-full-time.
- Knowledge and further training: Your development is important to us – we provide targeted and individual support.
- Support for international employees: Our International Advisory Service makes it easier for international employees to get started.
In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits.
Place of employment: Brainergy Park Jülich
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