R1 – PhD position in Iontronic Materials for Brain-Inspired Computing

FUNDACIO INSTITU DE RECERCA EN ENERGIA DE CATALUNYA; España; On-site; EUR 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

FUNDACIO INSTITU DE RECERCA EN ENERGIA DE CATALUNYA (IREC) invites MSc graduates to join the TOPOIONICS ERC Starting Grant project in Barcelona to pursue a PhD. The research spans materials science, electrochemistry and neuromorphic electronics with hands-on fabrication and advanced characterization.

Your work will focus on oxide thin films, freestanding membranes, and ion insertion studies, with opportunities to publish and present at international conferences.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Nanoscience or related field by appointment date.
• Interest in experimental materials research and ability to analyze quantitative data.
• Good English and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience with oxide thin films, deposition or characterization.

Responsibilities

• Develop oxide thin films with tunable properties for iontronic applications.
• Fabricate freestanding oxide membranes and integrate into functional devices.
• Investigate materials and devices using structural, electrochemical and electrical characterization.
• Design experiments and measurement methods to understand ion insertion effects.
• Contribute to collaborative research and disseminate findings via publications and conferences.

Skills

English proficiency

Experimental materials research

Oxide thin films

Pulsed laser deposition

Data analysis

Impedance spectroscopy

Education

Master's degree in Materials Science

Master's degree in Physics

Master's degree in Chemistry

Tools

Pulsed Laser Deposition

Job description

FUNDACIO INSTITU DE RECERCA EN ENERGIA DE CATALUNYA

Organisation/Company FUNDACIO INSTITU DE RECERCA EN ENERGIA DE CATALUNYA Research Field Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 4 Nov 2026 - 12:04 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Nanoionics and Fuel Cells group at IREC is seeking a motivated MSc graduate in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or a related field to pursue a PhD within TOPOIONICS - Topological Ionics for Adaptive Neuromorphic Networks, an ERC Starting Grant project led by Dr. Francesco Chiabrera, exploring new materials for brain-inspired computing. The project aims to use ionic motion to reshape the structure and electrical properties of oxides, enabling devices that adapt their internal connectivity in response to external signals.

The successful candidate will investigate oxide thin films and freestanding membranes at the intersection of materials science, electrochemistry and neuromorphic electronics. By combining materials synthesis, membrane fabrication and advanced characterization, the researcher will explore how ion insertion can enable new neuromorphic functionalities. The position offers hands‑on training in modern fabrication and measurement techniques, opportunities to develop original experimental approaches, and collaboration with an international network of researchers.

Research activities:

• Develop oxide thin films with tunable properties for iontronic applications.
• Fabricate freestanding oxide membranes and explore their integration into functional devices.
• Investigate materials and devices using structural, electrochemical and electrical characterization.
• Design experiments and develop measurement methods to understand how ion insertion influences material properties.
• Contribute to collaborative research and share findings through scientific publications and international conferences.

Employment and application

The position is planned for 36 months. The successful candidate will join an international research environment at IREC in Barcelona. Salary and employment conditions will follow IREC policy and the applicable call.

• Curriculum Vitae, specifying the completed degree and any relevant professional experience.
• BSc and MSc transcripts.

Requirements

Research Field Physics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Qualifications and experience

• A completed master’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Nanoscience or a closely related field by the appointment date.
• An interest in experimental materials research and the ability to analyze quantitative data.
• Good written and spoken English and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience with oxide thin films, pulsed laser deposition or structural and surface characterization.
• Experience or interest in electrochemistry, solid-state ionics, defect chemistry, impedance spectroscopy or ion insertion in solids.
• Programming or data‑analysis skills and an interest in linking materials behavior to electronic devices.