Research Support Technician - Inorganic Nanoparticles

Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia; Barcelona; On-site; EUR 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Relocation support

28 holidays per year

Flexible compensation plan

Job summary

Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2) seeks a Research Support Technician for the Inorganic Nanoparticles Group in Bellaterra, Barcelona. You will operate a robotic platform for automated nanoparticle synthesis and support characterization using UV-Vis, DLS, XRD, XPS and ICP-OES.

Join a multidisciplinary team, maintain accurate records, and help integrate experimental workflows while contributing to reproducible, data-driven research in a dynamic lab environment.

Qualifications

• Education and training in chemistry, nanoscience, or related field.
• Experience in chemical synthesis, sample preparation, and lab procedures.
• Practical lab experience in chemistry or materials science environments.
• Familiarity with robotic platforms is not required but advantageous.
• Excellent record-keeping and documentation practices.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the robotic platform for automated nanoparticle synthesis.
• Support synthesis and characterization using UV-Vis, DLS, XRD, XPS, ICP-OES.
• Help integrate workflows for reproducibility and data traceability.
• Manage reagents, samples, and safety procedures in daily work.
• Provide user training and technical assistance to researchers.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Independent and collaborative

Communication skills

Willingness to learn

Python basics

Education

Degree in Chemistry, Nanoscience, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering

FP Superior in Chemistry, Laboratory Analysis, Chemical Processes

Tools

UV-Vis spectroscopy

DLS

XRD

XPS

ICP-OES

Robotic platforms

Job description

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 the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence distinction for three consecutive periods (2014-2018, 2018-2022 and 2023-2026). ICN2 comprises 20 Research Groups, 7 Technical Development and Support Units and Facilities, and 2 Research Platforms, covering different areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Job Title: Research Support Technician

Department: Inorganic Nanoparticles

Description of Group/Project:

Laboratory Automation and Nanomaterials Characterization

The Inorganic Nanoparticles Group at ICN2 is seeking a motivated and hands-on Research Technician to support the operation and development of robotic platforms for the automated synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanomaterials.

The position will focus on integrating automated nanoparticle synthesis with experimental characterization and data management, contributing to the development of efficient, reproducible and traceable experimental workflows.

The successful candidate will support the daily operation of the robotic synthesis platform, assist in the optimization of experimental protocols and facilitate its use by researchers within the group and collaborating teams.

Main Tasks and responsibilities:

• Robotic platform operation: Operate, maintain and manage the robotic platform for automated and high-throughput nanoparticle synthesis, including reagent preparation, consumables management, routine maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Nanoparticle synthesis and characterization: Support the synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanoparticles using techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, DLS, XRD, XPS and ICP-OES.
• Integration of experimental workflows: Assist in connecting automated synthesis with sample preparation and characterization procedures, improving experimental reproducibility, efficiency and sample throughput.
• Data management and traceability: Collect, organize and document experimental data, ensuring reliable sample identification, traceability and integration into the group's experimental database.
• Laboratory organization: Manage reagents, samples, consumables and equipment associated with the robotic platform, ensuring efficient daily operation and compliance with laboratory safety procedures.
• User support and training: Provide technical assistance and training to researchers and students in the use of the robotic platform and established synthesis and characterization protocols.
• Research support: Coordinate sample preparation, characterization requests and material distribution within the group and with collaborating research teams and external users.

Requirements:

• Education: Degree in Chemistry, Nanoscience, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline. FP Superior in Chemistry, Laboratory Analysis, Chemical Processes, or a related technical field.
• Knowledge: Familiarity with chemical synthesis, sample preparation, and standard laboratory procedures.
• Professional Experience: Practical experience in a chemistry, materials science, or related laboratory environment.
• Professional Experience: Previous experience with robotic platforms is not required.
• Personal Competences: Good organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate experimental records.
• Personal Competences: Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research team.
• Personal Competences: Good communication skills and willingness to learn new experimental techniques.
• The following will be considered an advantage: Experience in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanoparticles.
• The following will be considered an advantage: Familiarity with UV-Vis spectroscopy, DLS, XRD, XPS, ICP-OES, or related techniques. Experience with robotic platforms, liquid-handling systems, laboratory automation, or high-throughput experimentation.
• The following will be considered an advantage: Basic knowledge of Python, experimental data processing, or laboratory databases.
• The following will be considered an advantage: Experience with standardized experimental protocols, data quality control and sample tracking.

Summary of conditions:

• Full-time work (37,5h/week)
• Contract Length: Temporary
• Location: Bellaterra (Barcelona)
• Salary will depend on qualifications and demonstrated experience.
• Support for relocation issues.
• Life Insurance.
• Work-Life Balance and Flexibility with flexible work schedules 28 holidays per year.
• Flexible compensation plan: tax advantages for contracting some products (health insurance, childcare, training, among others).
• Training activities: languages, mentoring programme, wellbeing programme.
• A position in an international and multidisciplinary research environment at ICN2.
• The opportunity to contribute to the development of reproducible and data-driven materials research workflows.
• Specific benefits from this position:
  • Training in laboratory automation, high-throughput experimentation and experimental data management.
  • Specific training on robotic synthesis platforms and advanced nanomaterial characterization will be provided.
  • Collaboration with researchers working at the interface of nanomaterials, automation and artificial intelligence.

Estimated Incorporation date: as soon as possible.

Equal opportunities:

At ICN2, we foster an inclusive and safe work environment, free from any form of discrimination—whether based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, origin, culture, religion, disability, or any other personal or social condition. We are committed to ensuring equal treatment and opportunities in all our processes, especially in recruitment, which is based solely on talent, experience, and ability. We implement proactive policies for inclusion and harassment prevention that reinforce our commitment to respect and fairness. If you share these values and are looking to grow in an open and diverse environment, ICN2 is ready to welcome you.