About the University of Cologne
We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe and one of the most important employers in our region. Our broad range of subjects, the dynamic development of our main research areas, and our central location in Cologne make us attractive for students and researchers from around the world. We offer a wide range of career opportunities in science, technology, and administration.
The Research Training Group RTG “Template-Designed Organic Electronics - TIDE”, funded by the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft), invites for applications. TIDE is a collaborative effort by the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Physics at the Faculties of Natural Sciences at three Universities, the University of Cologne, the Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn, and University of Wuppertal, Germany. The training program is organized in cohorts over a period of 3 years. The second cohort comes to an end in March 2027, and the program for the third cohort will start in April 2027.
Up to 13 Funded Doctoral Positions (f/m/x)
Your Tasks
We provide a unique research-oriented training program, embracing interdisciplinary and cutting-edge research in the area of “Organic Electronics”. The RTG includes 12 research groups from the fields of organic synthesis, surfaces & interface sciences, device physics & applications, ultrafast spectroscopy, and quantum chemical theory & modeling (https://tide.uni-koeln.de/open-positions). The individual PhD positions will be associated with the respective research groups.
Your Profile
- Applying candidates should have recently obtained (or be about to obtain) a M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics, material sciences, or similar with excellent results. Prior knowledge of a featured topic in “Organic Electronics” or related would be advantageous.
- The candidates should be highly motivated and interested to work in a collaborative and highly interdisciplinary environment on state-of-the-art research topics.
We Offer
- Collaboration in a cohort of ca. 25 members
- Advanced interdisciplinary training courses
- Three-months research stay abroad (international)
- A diverse working environment with equal opportunities
- Support in balancing work and family life
- Occupational health management offers
- Flexible working time models
The University of Cologne, the University of Bonn, and the University of Wuppertal are committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz - LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome applications from people with disabilities / special needs or of equal status.
Subject to the availability of funds, the positions will be available from April 2027 (under certain circumstances an earlier start is possible) on a part-time basis (up to 75%). The positions are limited to a duration of three years. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary will be based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector.
Your application should include
- a cover letter
- a short motivation statement outlining the project that you are most interested in (see https://tide.uni-koeln.de/open-positions)
- your CV
- copies of bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates
- a list of publications / talks / poster contributions
Please apply online with proof of the required qualifications without a photo. The reference number is Wiss2605-03. The application deadline is September 1, 2026.
For further inquiries, please contact the RTG Speaker Professor Klaus Meerholz (klaus.meerholz(at)uni-koeln.de) or the Vice Speaker Professor Arne Lützen (arne.luetzen(at)uni-bonn.de).
