Postdoctoral Researcher (Ref. Postdoc 2026-12 JLL)

Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia ICIQ; España; Presencial; EUR 29.000 - 37.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Free parking

Continuous training

Public transport access

International environment

Descripción de la vacante

Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead the development of an adaptive self-driving laboratory for electrochemical, photoelectrochemical and photochemical research. The role builds on AMPER, with robotic handling, gas/liquid management, and modular control layers, in a project on self-driving laboratories for sustainable catalysis.

The candidate will develop workflows translating goals into protocols, ensure traceability, and apply Bayesian

Formación

• PhD required in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, Automation, Robotics, Control Engineering, Data Science or related field.
• Strong track record in at least one core area: electrocatalysis/electrochemistry, automation/robotics, or ML for experimental science.
• Ability to design, execute and troubleshoot complex workflows.
• Programming experience; Python preferred; experience with data analysis or software engineering valuable.
• Excellent written and spoken English; ability to publish and present research.

Responsabilidades

• Lead an independent research program at the interface of sustainable catalysis, electrochemistry, automation and AI.
• Design and run automated catalyst-discovery campaigns for CO2 reduction and related processes.
• Operate, improve and expand AMPER platform integrating robotic handling, cells, analyzers and safety interlocks.
• Develop instrument drivers and data pipelines; integrate PLC/SCADA, MODBUS or embedded components.
• Implement closed-loop experimental optimization using Bayesian optimization or active learning.
• Integrate real-time analytical data with electrochemical performance metrics.
• Ensure reproducible workflows with version control, metadata and FAIR data practices.
• Coordinate with consortium partners and mentor researchers.
• Contribute to lab organization and safety.

Conocimientos

Python

Lab automation

Machine learning

Educación

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Herramientas

AMPER platform

PLC/SCADA

MODBUS

Descripción del empleo

Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia ICIQ

Organisation/Company Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia ICIQ Department Burés Group Research Field Chemistry Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 17 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 2 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 101097684-Excited Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is seeking aPostdoctoral Researcher to workProf. Julio Lloret’s group.This position will be funded by the project AIA2025-163492-C53 – Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Intensified Synthesis and Experimentation (RAISE).

ICIQ is one of the world’s internationally recognized leading institutions in the field of chemistry committed to solving major social and economic challenges by conducting top quality research in three main areas: SustainableCatalysis, Renewable Energyand Health. The institute also aims at training the future generation of scientists by offering high-quality educational programs to master, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers (full details on http://www.iciq.org/ ).

ICIQ is looking for a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Julio Lloret to work in the projectSelf-Driving Laboratories for Sustainable Catalysis.

Project Description:

The postdoctoral researcher will lead the development and scientific deployment of an adaptive self-driving laboratory for electrochemical, photoelectrochemical and photochemical research. The work will build on AMPER, the Automated Modular Platform for Electrochemical Research developed at ICIQ, which already integrates robotic handling, gas and liquid management, electrochemical flow cells, potentiostats and a modular PLC/SCADA-based control layer.

The project will connect agentic orchestration, automated experimentation, real-time analytics and data-driven optimization. The researcher will develop workflows in which experimental goals are translated into executable protocols, results are processed and stored with full traceability, and Bayesian optimization, active learning or related machine-learning methods select the next experiments. Edge control and low-latency analysis may be implemented where required for dynamic systems.

The platform will be validated through high-impact applications in sustainable catalysis, including electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion to fuels and chemical feedstocks, green hydrogen production, catalyst durability and the optimization of electrochemical devices. The role combines independent research with close collaboration across the RAISE/2AID consortium and supervision of early-career researchers.

Responsibilities

• Lead an independent research programme at the interface of sustainable catalysis, electrochemistry, laboratory automation and artificial intelligence.
• Design and execute automated catalyst-discovery and optimization campaigns for CO₂ reduction, green hydrogen and related electrochemical or photoelectrochemical processes.
• Operate, improve and expand AMPER, integrating robotic handling, gas/liquid delivery, electrochemical cells, potentiostats, analytical instruments and safety interlocks.
• Develop instrument drivers and data pipelines, and integrate PLC/SCADA, MODBUS or embedded-control components where appropriate.
• Implement closed-loop experimental optimization using Bayesian optimization, active learning, design of experiments, machine learning and/or AI-agent orchestration.
• Integrate real-time analytical data, such as GC, online IR or other project-relevant methods, with electrochemical performance metrics and mechanistic interpretation.
• Ensure reproducible and traceable workflows through version control, structured metadata, decision logs, standardized protocols and FAIR data practices.
• Analyze and communicate results through high-quality publications, reports, presentations, software releases and datasets.
• Coordinate with consortium partners, mentor PhD and Master’s researchers, and contribute to laboratory organization, safety and equipment maintenance.

Requirements

• A PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, Automation, Robotics, Control Engineering, Data Science or a closely related field by the contract start date.
• A strong research track record in at least one core area: electrocatalysis/electrochemistry; laboratory automation/robotics/instrument control; or machine learning for experimental science.
• Demonstrated ability to design, execute and troubleshoot complex research workflows.
• Programming experience; Python is strongly preferred. Experience with scientific data analysis, instrument communication or software engineering is highly valuable.
• Excellent written and spoken English, including the ability to prepare publications and present research clearly.
• Ability to conduct independent research, take initiative, manage priorities and work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Valued qualities and experience:

• Electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction, water splitting, electrochemical flow cells, membrane-electrode assemblies, EIS, RDE/RRDE or catalyst durability studies.
• High-throughput experimentation, automated liquid/gas handling, robotic arms or modular laboratory hardware.
• Bayesian optimization, active learning, design of experiments, uncertainty-aware modeling or reinforcement learning.
• PLC/SCADA systems, MODBUS, microcontrollers, C/C++, embedded electronics, PCB design, CAD or rapid prototyping.
• Data infrastructure, Git, databases, automated testing, reproducible pipelines or research software engineering.
• Mentoring, project coordination, collaboration with engineering or AI teams, and technology-transfer awareness.

Two routes into the position

Applicants may come primarily from experimental catalysis/electrochemistry or from automation/robotics/data-driven experimentation. A strong profile in one domain, together with a credible plan to bridge to the others, is more important than prior mastery of every technique.

Required documentation

• A full curriculum vitae, including publications, technical skills and relevant research or engineering achievements.
• A cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining the candidate’s motivation, fit with the project and expected contribution.
• A brief research statement (maximum two pages) highlighting one or two prior projects most relevant to the position and the candidate’s role in them.
• Names and contact details of at least two referees.

We offer

• A full-time contract for 3 years.
• Incorporation: as soon as possible, subject to completion of the selection and administrative process.
• An international and dynamic environment within a multidisciplinary team
• Annual salary split into 12 monthly payments.
• Remuneration aligned with the company’s salary policy, within the PIIP1– PIIP4 band (28.560€ – 36.720€) based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
• Flexible 37.5 hours working week
• Free parking available at our facilities.
• Continuous training plan to support your professional development.
• Good connection to public transportation networks.
• Facilities with spacious areas, abundant natural light, and a functional, well‑designed environment aimed at enhancing people’s wellbeing.

OTM-R principles in the selection processes

ICIQ follows the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers as established by the European Commission.

ICIQ follows in its selection process a gender equality opportunity policy and a non-discrimination policy on the basis of age, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language and disability.

ICIQis committed to promoting a work-life balance for its employees and, as such, offers flexible working hours.

Selection Process

ICIQ’s selection process usually entails the following phases:

• Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise as reflected on the candidates’ CVs. This phase is merit-based.
• Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and the appointed Selection Committee.
• Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is selected, the People Unit will extend a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary and overall job conditions.