Laser-printed flexible sustainable thermoelectrics (Postdoc position)

KU Leuven; Vlaams-Brabant; Hybride; EUR 48 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

KU Leuven's FMolina-Lopez group, in the FunMat unit of the Department of Materials Engineering, invites applications for a postdoctoral position focused on laser-printed flexible thermoelectrics. The project combines materials science, electrical engineering, and device fabrication to create wearable energy harvesters and coolers.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in a related field, strong experimental skills, and a record of high-quality publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science/Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nanoscience & Nanoengineering, or Applied Physics.
• Experience in materials processing, characterization, electrical instrumentation or microfabrication.
• Strong publication record in leading peer-reviewed journals; international conference presentations valued; patent experience a plus.
• Excellent hands-on experimental attitude and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Responsabilités

• Develop laser-printed thermoelectric powders and printable inks; optimize sintering/patterning on flexible substrates or explore direct ink writing for 3D building.
• Study mobility, carrier concentration, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity; use and develop measurement setups.
• Characterize powders and films (SEM/EDS, TEM, XRD, ICP-OES, EBSD); relate morphology to TE performance.
• Correlate composition with TE material and device performance; develop TE devices for energy harvesting and cooling.

Connaissances

Experimental mindset

Publication record

Team collaboration

English fluency

Formation

PhD in a relevant field

Outils

SEM/EDS

TEM

XRD

ICP-OES

EBSD

Description du poste

Laser-printed flexible sustainable thermoelectrics (Postdoc position)

This work will be performed in the FMolina-Lopez group within the “FunMat” unit of the Department of Materials Engineering at KU Leuven. We are an international and interdisciplinary team working on next-generation hybrid organic-inorganic soft materials and manufacturing technologies for energy and sensing.

Thermoelectric (TE) materials can convert waste heat into electrical energy and vice versa; they use electricity to provide active heating/cooling. However, the current fabrication process of TEs is complicated and expensive. Also, current TEs are small and rigid. Finding a way to integrate high-performance thermoelectric materials into flexible devices could unlock new opportunities for waste heat harvesting from sources such as the human body and enable thermoregulating garments with reduced energy consumption.

This project explores the use of laser-printed metal chalcogenides on flexible substrates to develop high-performance thermoelectric harvesters and coolers for wearable applications. In this project, the postdoc candidate is expected to:

• Develop thermoelectric alloy powders, formulate printable inks, and develop a sintering and patterning process on a flexible substrate based on selective laser exposure. Alternatively, direct ink writing of the same material can be investigated for 3D building.
• Investigate the concepts of mobility, charge carrier concentration, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity. The candidate will be required to master the use of commercial tools to measure these properties and, in some cases, to develop specialized setups.
• Characterize the morphology and elemental composition of the produced powders and films: SEM/EDS, TEM, XRD, ICP-OES, EBSD, etc.
• Correlate material morphology and composition with final TE material and device performance.
• Develop TE devices optimized for both energy harvesting and cooling.

Profile

• Degree: PhD in one of the following fields (or similar): Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, or Applied Physics.
• Research experience: Lab experience in materials processing, material characterization, electrical instrumentation, or microfabrication.
• Interests and research profile: The research topic is 80% experimental and 20% theoretical, and it bridges the fields of physics, materials science, electrical, and chemical engineering. Hence, the applicants are required to have an excellent proven background in engineering sciences, with good knowledge of fundamental concepts, and a strong hands-on attitude toward interdisciplinary experimental research. In particular, the candidates must:
• Have an experimental mindset and enthusiasm for laboratory work.
• Show a strong interest in the characterization and understanding of inorganic electronic materials and the link between experiments and fundamental concepts.
• Be willing to work in close collaboration with the rest of the team and with other departments at KU Leuven (Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics…).
• Publication record: Demonstrated research excellence through a strong publication record in leading peer-reviewed journals (Q1) in materials science, energy materials, engineering, physics, or related fields; experience presenting research at international conferences is highly valued; participation in patent writing is a plus; proven track record of teamwork, demonstrated through participation in joint papers or consortium-based projects.
• We particularly welcome candidates with an international research profile and experience working in diverse academic environments.
• Communication skills: Ability to work both independently and in a team, direct communication style. Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Attitude: We are looking for a highly motivated researcher who thrives in an ambitious, collaborative, and dynamic research environment and is excited to contribute to a challenging interdisciplinary project. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop independent research ideas, write a postdoc fellowship proposal (FWO or MSCA), contribute to proposals led by the PI, supervise junior researchers, and build an international scientific network.

Offer

We offer a fully funded 18-month postdoctoral position at KU Leuven, including a competitive salary and benefits package in accordance with university regulations, access to world-class research facilities for materials processing, characterization, and device fabrication, and support for conference participation and international collaborations.

KU Leuven is one of the top 50 universities in the world (top 11 in Europe) according to the Times Higher Education ranking 2026. It offers an exciting multi-disciplinary research environment and a broad range of training courses for researchers.

Located in Belgium, at the heart of Europe, and less than 3 hours by train from cities such as Paris, London, and Amsterdam, Leuven is a cultural and historical city with a vibrant international student scene.

For more information, please check our group website: https://www.molina-lopezresearchlab.com/

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

location_city Locatie: Leuven