Schubert Group

17/09/2025

On September 15, the Schubert Group and HIPOLE Jena came together for a day full of community spirit. From inspiring pitches by new members to discussions on projects, equipment, and strategic goals, the seminar highlighted the strong collaboration within our community.

In the evening, we rounded off the day with sports and a relaxed get-together at Westsportplatz Jena – the perfect mix of science, fun, and family vibes.

A big thank you to everyone who made this event such a success!

30/08/2025

🔋 Innovative gel polymer electrolytes for green batteries

New gel polymer electrolytes with dopamine building blocks open exciting opportunities for energy storage:
✅ 450 % electrolyte uptake
✅ High ionic conductivity (2.3 mS/cm at 20 °C)
✅ Stable discharge capacity of 59 mAh/g at 0.2C

Dopamine units not only enhance retention and conductivity but also provide antioxidant effects and suppress lithium dendrite growth – improving both safety and lifetime of next-generation batteries.

🌱 A promising approach for sustainable energy storage solutions.

👉 Read the full article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powera.2025.100186

21/08/2025

🔬 We are hiring at Friedrich Schiller University Jena!

The Institute of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), in the group of Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert, is looking for a Technical Employee (f/m/d) (part-time, permanent).

✨ Your tasks:

-Independent synthesis of polymers (controlled/living polymerizations)

-Upscaling, preparation of initiators and monomers

-Use of analytical methods (SEC, NMR)

-General lab tasks and equipment maintenance

👩‍🔬 Your profile:

-Completed technical training (e.g. Chemical Laboratory Technician, CTA) or equivalent

-Knowledge of organic synthesis, polymer chemistry & analytics

-Team spirit, reliability, English skills

💡 We offer:

-A permanent part-time position (0.5 FTE, TV-L E6) with possibility to increase

-Cutting-edge research environment with excellent labs & infrastructure

-Family-friendly workplace with flexible offers and benefits

-30 vacation days + 2 extra days off (24. & 31.12)

📅 Apply online by 19 September 2025!

👉 https://shorturl.at/jMsEL

Further information: https://shorturl.at/rcecJ

19/08/2025

🎥 New Video Online!

On 29.07.2025, Thuringian Minister Christian Tischner visited CEEC Jena and HIPOLE Jena as part of the High Tech Tour.

The visit featured inspiring contributions from Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), and the University of Bayreuth, highlighting strong cooperation in research and innovation.

👉 The full video is now available on the HIPOLE YouTube channel:

As part of the High Tech Tour, Thuringian Minister for Education, Science and Culture, Mr. Christian Tischner, visited HIPOLE Jena.We sincerely thank Dr. Ber...

13/08/2025

🌱 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Sustainable Polymer Materials – Join Us in Jena!

The newly founded research group of Dr. Boris Bulgakov at Friedrich Schiller University Jena is looking for highly motivated PhD students to work on innovative projects at the intersection of organic chemistry and materials science.

What we offer:
✅ Fully funded positions in an international & interdisciplinary team
✅ Close collaboration with industry partners (ALTANA AG)
✅ State-of-the-art lab space at the Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry Jena (CEEC Jena)
✅ Conference & workshop participation worldwide
✅ A family-friendly and supportive work environment

Your profile:
🎓 Master’s degree in Organic/Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field
💡 Passion for research & sustainability
🌍 Excellent English communication skills

📌 How to apply:
Send your CV and 1-page summary of your research interests to boris.bulgakov@uni-jena.de
Subject line: “PhD in Sustainable Polymer Materials”

Let’s shape the future of sustainable materials together!

07/07/2025

🚀 Jena – A City with a Strong Future!

The newly published Prognos Future Atlas 2025 ranks Jena among the German regions with very high future prospects. 🌟

Thanks to strong innovation, research institutions like the University of Jena, initiatives such as HiPoLE Jena, and dynamic research groups like the Schubert Group, Jena continues to prove its resilience and forward-looking strength.

Innovation, transformation, and research excellence – Jena is ready for the future!

Learn more on: jena.de | uni-jena.de | hipole-jena.de | schubert-group.de

Further information: https://shorturl.at/Vzz2A

07/07/2025

📬 The Schubert Group Quarterly Newsletter (Q2 – June 2025) is now available!

We’re excited to share our latest updates, milestones, and achievements from the past quarter. In this issue, you’ll find:

✅ A major academic milestone: Dr. Anja Träger’s successful Habilitation
🎓 Celebrating multiple doctoral defenses
📖 Our new “Publication of the Month” in Nature Chemistry
🏆 Dr. Kevin M. Jablonka receives the “Best Research Environment 2024” award
🔋 Highlights from Hannover Messe 2025

📎 Read the full newsletter here:
👉 https://shorturl.at/B0fTD

Thank you for staying connected and supporting scientific progress with us!

04/07/2025

🎉 Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert Honored with Hans and Marlies Zimmer International Scholar Award

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert received the Hans and Marlies Zimmer International Scholar Award 2025 on July 1st, 2025, during a visit to the University of Cincinnati.

This distinguished award recognizes outstanding scientific achievements and international academic engagement. As part of the program, Prof. Schubert delivered a keynote lecture and took part in stimulating discussions with faculty and students. His visit also included cultural activities, such as a visit to the Cincinnati Art Museum, and a reception with Hans Zimmer Jr.

Prof. Schubert described the experience as “highly stimulating, both scientifically and personally,” and expressed his enthusiasm for continued collaboration, student exchange, and scientific dialogue.

Our sincere congratulations to Prof. Schubert on this outstanding achievement!

🔗 Learn more about the award and its recipients:
https://www.artsci.uc.edu/natural-sciences/chemistry/news-events/zimmer-program/previous-recipients-of-the-hans-and-marlies-zimmer-international.html

18/06/2025

🌐 Scroll down for the English version! 🌐

🔋☀ Polymere für Energieanwendungen – CHEManager 6/2025
In der aktuellen Ausgabe von CHEManager (6/2025) geben Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert, Dr. Martin D. Hager und Dr. Yan Lu vom Hipole Jena Einblicke in die Rolle von Polymeren bei der Entwicklung nachhaltiger Energietechnologien – von Batterien und Solarzellen bis hin zu Wasserstoffsystemen. 🌱⚡

📍 Das Hipole ist Teil des Helmholtz-Zentrums Berlin in Kooperation mit der und CEEC Jena.
📥 Den vollständigen Artikel: https://chemanager-online.com/de/themen/polymere-fuer-energieanwendungen?preview=true
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🔋☀ Polymers for the Energy Transition
In the latest issue of CHEManager (6/2025), Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert, Dr. Martin D. Hager & Dr. Yan Lu from Hipole Jena present how polymers are driving innovation in sustainable energy technologies – including batteries, solar cells, and hydrogen systems. 🌱⚡

📍 Hipole is part of Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin in cooperation with and CEEC Jena.
📥 Read the full article: https://chemanager-online.com/de/themen/polymere-fuer-energieanwendungen?preview=true

13/06/2025

🎉 Award News!
We’re proud to announce that Dr. Kevin M. Jablonka, member of the Schubert Group, has received the “Best Research Environment 2024” award! 🏆

His LAMA Lab: Laboratory for AI in Materials Science at the University of Jena was recognized by Die Junge Akademie and the Volkswagen Foundation as one of ten outstanding research teams in Germany.

The award honors transparent structures, open communication, and a supportive team culture — values that Kevin and his team embody every day.

👏 Congratulations to Kevin and the LAMA Lab team!

25/05/2025

🔬 Cutting-edge research for the classroom!

The latest issue of Unterricht Chemie introduces students and teachers to nanomedicine – featuring the work of SFB 1278 “PolyTarget” at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and its partners.

Image source: Unterricht Chemie Fachzeitschrift

🔗 Learn more: www.polytarget.uni-jena.de
📍 The issue: https://www.friedrich-verlag.de/shop/pharmazeutische-wirkstoffe-510207

21/05/2025

🧪✨ Can AI outsmart chemists?

We put today’s top large language models (LLMs) to the test with thousands of chemistry questions — and the best models outperformed expert chemists on average. 🤯

But it’s not all smooth reactions: LLMs still make basic mistakes and can be overconfident, even when they’re wrong.

Our new study reveals both the promise and limits of AI in chemistry — with big implications for science, safety, and education.

📖 Read the full study in Nature Chemistry:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-025-01815-x

Large language models are increasingly used for diverse tasks, yet we have limited insight into their understanding of chemistry. Now ChemBench—a benchmarking framework containing more than 2,700 question–answer pairs—has been developed to assess their chemical knowledge and reasoning, reveali...