Research assistant in automated polymer processing

IMDEA materials; Getafe; Presencial; EUR 25.000 - 32.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

IMDEA Materials Institute, a leading public research organization in Madrid, seeks a Research Assistant to advance autonomous laboratory workflows for polymer processing. The role involves collaborating robots, liquid-handling systems, and ML-guided optimization of hydrogel compositions.

The candidate will join the Accelerated Materials Discovery group, contributing to interdisciplinary projects in materials science and engineering with a strong emphasis on automation and experimental rigor.

Formación

• Experience setting up and using Materials Acceleration Platforms.
• Experience in polymer processinig and characterization (thermoplastics).
• Knowledge of programming languages (C, C++ or Python).
• Fluent in English.
• Prior research experience with demonstrated research articles.

Responsabilidades

• Setting up an autonomus experiment focused on optimization of hydrogel compositions.
• Involve a liquid-handling robot, a collaborative robot, and other instruments for materials processing and characterization.
• Experimental workflow guided by machine learning.

Conocimientos

Materials Acceleration

Polymer processing

Opentrons robots

Bayesian optimization

Programming (C/C++/Python)

English fluency

Research experience

Herramientas

Collaborative robots

Liquid-handling robot

Machine learning workflows

Descripción del empleo

Development of Materials Acceleration Platforms for polymer processing.

OTHER DETAILS

Ref. num. 2026-MH-R1-351

Research assistant in automated polymer processing

IMDEA Materials Institute is a public research organization founded in 2007 by Madrid’s regional government to carry out research of excellence in Material Science and Engineering by attracting talent from all over the world to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment. IMDEA Materials has grown rapidly since its foundation and currently includes more than 120 researchers from 22 nationalities and has become one of the leading research centers in materials in Europe which has received the María de Maeztu seal of excellence from the Spanish government. The research activities have been focused on the areas of materials for transport, energy, and health care and the Institute has state-of-the-art facilities for processing, characterization and simulation of advanced materials.

Accelerated Materials Discovery group is seeking to fill a research assistant position to help the development of autonomous laboratory for polymer processing. The successful candidate will join the team employing collaborative robots and AI in materials design. In particular, this position will be responsible for setting up an autonomus experiment focused on optimization of hydrogel compositions. The experiment will involve a liquid-handling robot, a collaborative robot as well as additional instruments for materials processing and characterization. The experimental workflow will be guided by machine learning.

Requirements

Ideal candidate:

• -experience with setting up and using Materials Acceleration Platforms
• -experience in polymer processinig and characterization (thermoplastics)
• -experience with Opentrons robots
• -experience with Bayesian optimization in chemical and materials context
• -knowledge of programming language (C,C++ or Python)
• -fluent in English
• -prior research experience with demonstrated research articles

Conditions

This is full-time, limited term offer.

The working language of the Institute is English. Full command of the English language is required in all positions.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND AT IMDEA

Stimulating environment where you can grow professionally.

IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and the promotion of a healthy work environment and work-life balance. Female applicants are encouraged to apply to our research and technical positions. See our Gender Equality Plan here and our Code of Ethics here .

Besides on-the-job technical training, IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to training the Institute’s scientists and staff in “soft” or transversal skills. See the available training here .

Meet some of our alumni to see what it is like to work with us.