R2 – Postdoctoral Position in Proton-Conducting Ceramic Materials, Cells and Stacks

FUNDACIO INSTITU DE RECERCA EN ENERGIA DE CATALUNYA; España; On-site; EUR 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

FUNDACIO INSTITU DE RECERCA EN ENERGIA DE CATALUNYA in Barcelona is seeking a postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in protonics to join hyPROMISE, a Horizon Europe project, coordinating multi-partner activity and advancing solid-state proton conducting cells from lab-scale to kilowatt stacks.

The successful candidate will lead core experimental activities, from design to electrochemical testing of large-area cells, with opportunities to contribute to project coordination, publish

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field and publications supporting protonics research.
• Demonstrated experience in protonic materials and oxides.
• Experience in electrochemical characterisation of protonic materials.

Responsibilities

• Design and electrochemical assessment of proton materials.
• Validate manufacturing routes and test large-area cells and stacks.
• Contribute to project coordination and publish results at conferences.
• Mentor students and develop research tools for data analysis.

Skills

Protonics research

Electrochemical testing

Independent research

English communication

Ceramic PCFC testing

Education

PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering or related field

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 Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 17 Nov 2026 - 12:05 (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 postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in protonics to join hyPROMISE, a Horizon Europe project of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership coordinated by IREC. hyPROMISE brings together nine European research and industrial partners with the aim of moving solid-state proton conducting cells from laboratory-scale devices to robust kW-class stacks.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the core IREC experimental activities of the project, from the design and electrochemical assessment of proton materials, validation of advanced manufacturing routes, to the electrochemical testing of large-area cells and stacks. This three-year position offers the opportunity to work across the full materials-to-stack value chain in close collaboration with leading academic and industrial partners, to contribute to the technical coordination of the project, and to develop an independent research profile in energy conversion technologies.

Research activities:

• Develop and characterise proton-conducting thin films and electrodes for protonic ceramic cells.
• Support the implementation of advanced manufacturing routes in cell architectures.
• Perform the electrochemical testing of large-area cells and of a kW-class stack under reversible and dynamic operation, including durability and post-mortem analysis.
• Contribute to project coordination, supervise students, and disseminate results through publications and international conferences.

We offer a three-year (36-month) full-time postdoctoral (R2) position in the framework of the hyPROMISE Horizon Europe project, in an international research environment at IREC in Barcelona. Salary and employment conditions will follow IREC’s salary policy and the applicable call, depending on the candidate’s qualification and professional experience.

• Curriculum Vitae, including a publication list and relevant research experience.
• Motivation letter outlining research interests and suitability for the position.

Requirements

Research Field Engineering Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Qualifications and experience

• A PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated research experience in protonics and proton-conducting oxides, supported by relevant scientific publications.
• Proven hands‑on experience in the electrochemical characterisation of protonic materials
• Ability to plan and conduct independent research, work collaboratively in an international team, and communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
• Experience in the fabrication and electrochemical testing of ceramic proton conducting cells (PCFC/PCEC, symmetric and full cells).
• Experience in large-area cell or stack testing.
• Experience in European collaborative projects, project reporting, mentoring students, or developing measurement and data-analysis tools.