PhD student – Automating acquisition in STEM PECATHS Project

Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST); Cerdanyola del Vallés; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading research center in Cerdanyola del Vallés is seeking a PhD student to work on automating acquisition protocols in the PECATHS Project. The role involves developing Python scripts for electron microscopes and executing automated experiments. Candidates need a MSc in a relevant field and strong coding skills in Python. Full-time position with a contract length of four years, including support for relocation and various benefits.

Servicios

Life Insurance

Flexible work schedules

28 holidays per year

Health insurance and other flexible compensation plans

Training activities

Formación

• Education: MSc in relevant discipline.
• Strong coding skills in Python.
• Proven experience in electron microscopy preferred.

Responsabilidades

• Develop and implement Python scripts for microscopy control.
• Design and execute automated experiments.
• Maintain and document acquisition protocols.

Conocimientos

Strong coding skills in Python

Knowledge in materials science

Teamwork and communication skills

Educación

MSc in Physics, Materials Science, Nanoscience, Computer Engineering, Data Science, or related discipline

Descripción del empleo

As a flagship research center in nanoscience and nanotechnology, our mission is to open and explore new frontiers of knowledge at the nanoscale, and bring value to society in the form of new understanding, capabilities and innovation, while inspiring and providing broad training to the next generations of researchers. Our values are Commitment, Collaboration and Transformation.

Our research lines focus on the newly-discovered physical and chemical properties that arise from the behaviour of matter at the nanoscale. ICN2 has been awarded with the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence distinction for three consecutive periods (2014-2018 and 2018-2022 and 2023-2026). ICN2 comprises 19 Research Groups, 7 Technical Development and Support Units and Facilities, and 2 Research Platforms, covering different areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Job Title: PhD student – Automating acquisition in STEM PECATHS Project
Research area or group: Advanced Electron Nanoscopy (GAeN) Group

Description of Group/Project: The candidate will join an interdisciplinary team working project, which aims to develop autonomous characterization workflows for functional materials. This role focuses on the automation of microscopy acquisition protocols, contributing to the development of high-throughput platforms combining electron microscopy and artificial intelligence. PeCATHS is committed to develop an integrated long-term energy storage system utilizing hydrogen in the form of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), coupled with innovative biomass conversion.

This approach enables the direct transfer of hydrogen from biomass to LOHCs without the need of hydrogen gas production, while simultaneously generating high-value chemicals. By integrating chemical and energy sectors, the project aims to synthesize platform chemicals and achieve long-term energy storage in liquid form, enhancing both the sustainability and efficiency of energy systems.

Main Tasks and responsibilities:

The main tasks would be: Develop and implement Python scripts for the automated control of electron microscopes; design and execute automated experiments, including real-time feedback loops between acquisition and data analysis; maintain, optimize, and document acquisition protocols for reproducibility and scalability; stay updated with the latest developments in microscopy automation and scientific instrumentation.

Requirements:

• Education: MSc in Physics, Materials Science, Nanoscience, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Gaming Engineering or a related discipline.

• Knowledge: Strong coding skills in Python and knowledge in materials science.

• Professional Experience: Proven experience in electron microscopy and with laboratory automation and/or closed-loop experimental setups will be appreciated.

• Personal Competences: Person capable of working in teams, with good communication skills, and able to communicate in both local and international languages.

Summary of conditions:

Full time work (37,5h/week)
Contract Length: 4 years

Location: Bellaterra (Barcelona)
Salary will depend on qualifications and demonstrated experience.
Support to the relocation issues.
Life Insurance.
Work-Life Balance and Flexibility with flexible work schedules
28 holidays per year
Flexible compensation plan: tax advantages contracting some products (health insurance, childcare, training, among others.)
Training activities: languages, mentoring programme, wellbeing programme.
International environment
Estimated Incorporation date:October 2025

How to apply:

All applications must be made via the ICN2 website and include the following:

1. A cover letter.

2. A full CV including contact details.

3. 2 Reference letters or referee contacts.

Deadline for applications: September 2025

This is part of the project that has received funding from the European Commission Horizon Europe Programme under Grant Agreement No.101191948. This work is supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) under contract No. 24.00543.

Equal opportunities:

ICN2 is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities.

ICN2 is following the procedure for contract of people with disabilities according with article 59 of the Royal Decree 1/2015, of 30 of October.