Researcher developing sodium ion batteries and biomedical sensing devices. (Ref. 30267130034)

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH; España; On-site; EUR 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH invites applications for a full-time postdoc to develop sodium-ion batteries based on biocompatible hydrogels for implantable biomedical applications.

You will design, prepare and characterize functional hydrogels and polymeric materials, manufacture prototypes, and evaluate electrochemical performance and biocompatibility for potential implant sites.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, materials science or related field.
• Experience with polymers, hydrogels and electrochemical devices.
• Publications in high-impact journals.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize hydrogels for electrolytes and electrodes.
• Synthesize sodium-ion battery prototypes and characterize performance.
• Perform electrochemical tests (EIS, CV, charge-discharge).
• Evaluate biocompatibility and cytotoxicity in vitro.
• Characterize materials with spectroscopy and microscopy.
• Publish results and present at conferences.

Skills

Biopolymers

Hydrogels

Electrochemistry

Cytotoxicity assays

In vitro evaluation

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Materials Science/Bioengineering

Tools

MATLAB

Origin

Raman

FTIR

UV-Vis

SEM

AFM

Job description

Organisation/Company Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH Research Field Chemistry Engineering » Chemical engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Biomedical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 16 Nov 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 30267130034 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Mission:

To develop sodium-ion batteries based on biocompatible hydrogels for implantable biomedical applications, through the design, preparation and characterization of materials and devices. To evaluate their electrochemical performance, possible functionalities as biomedical sensors and biocompatibility in contact with human tissues relevant to the intended implantation sites.

Functions to be developed:

• Design, prepare and optimize functional hydrogels and biocompatible polymeric materials for the development of electrolytes, electrodes and other components of sodium-ion batteries.
• Manufacture and integrate prototypes of sodium-ion batteries based on hydrogels, including the preparation of active materials and necessary components, and optimizing their composition, structure and processing conditions.
• Carry out the physicochemical, structural, morphological, mechanical and electrochemical characterization of materials and devices. Evaluate their electrochemical performance through measurements of capacity, stability, cyclability, efficiency, impedance and response under different operating conditions.
• Investigate the properties of materials and devices as biomedical sensors, studying their sensitivity, selectivity, response time, reversibility, stability and ability to detect relevant physiological parameters or stimuli.
• Evaluate the biocompatibility of materials and devices, especially in contact with human tissues associated with potential implantation sites. Study their cytocompatibility and possible biological effects, as well as the influence of composition, degradation and released products on the safety of the device.
• Synthesis and modification of materials: functionalization and modification of polymers, hydrogels and nanoparticles, as well as preparation of materials for electrochemical devices.
• Manufacturing and optimization of energy storage devices (preferably sodium) and other electrochemical systems.
• Advanced physicochemical and structural characterization: application of spectroscopy and microscopy techniques (Raman, FTIR, UV-Vis, DLS/tTDLS, MicroCT, SEM and AFM).
• Characterization and electrochemical tests:execution and analysis of techniques such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge-discharge tests for performance and stability evaluation.
• Biological evaluation assays and data analysis: design and execution of sensory response, biocompatibility, cytotoxicity assaysin vitro and analysis of experimental data using advanced tools (MATLAB and Origin).

Other requirements to consider:

• Ability to plan experiments, analyze and interpret results, write reports and scientific articles, and present results in research environments.

Specific Requirements

Knowledge:

• Science of polymers, biopolymers and hydrogels: synthesis, modification, processing, properties and characterization.
• Advanced materials and nanomaterials for energy storage and bioelectronics applications.
• Electrochemistry and biomedical devices.
• Principles of electrochemical and biomedical sensors, as well as concepts of biocompatibility, cytotoxicity and interaction between materials and biological tissues.

Experience Professional:

• In research projects related to the science of polymers, hydrogels, advanced materials and electrochemical devices (such as sodium-ion batteries).
• In the development and application of electrochemical or biomedical sensors, including carrying out biocompatibility, cytotoxicity tests and analysis of the interaction of materials with cells and tissues.
• In the writing and publication of scientific articles in high-impact journals within these research areas.
• Experience in functions similar to those described will be valued, specifically in the development of research activities, both in the university and industrial environment.

Languages CATALAN Level Basic

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages SPANISH Level Good

Research Field ChemistryEngineering » Chemical engineeringEngineering » Materials engineeringEngineering » Biomedical engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

€24,913.48 gross per year (for a full-time position)

Eligibility criteria

All the candidates who cannot prove the required academic degree will be immediately withdrawn from the selection process.

The CVs will be assessed according the following general criteria:

• The maximum score for the candidates who accomplish all the eligibility criteria stated in the job offer will be 10 points.
• Threshold: 5 points.
• The maximum score (10 points) will be distributed as follows:
• 1 point for required speciality.
• 2 points for required academic training.
• 2 points for technic competences.
• 1 point for organisational competences.
• 3 points for professional experience.
• 1 point for any aspect of the candidate’s professional profile to be determined as specially relevant by the Selection committee.

If the selection committee decide to include a personal interview as additional step of the selection process, only the candidates scored 5 or above for their CV will be retained for the interview step.

The interview will be assessed according the following criteria:

• Threshold: 3 points.
• The maximum score will be distributed according the following criteria:
• 2 points for adequacy to functional competences of the job.
• 2 points for adequacy of professional experience.
• 1 point for any aspect of the candidate’s professional profile to be determined as especially relevant by the Selection committee.

The eligible candidates will be ranked from highest to lowest score, being this the selection criteria.

Selection process

The planned selection process is as follows:

• The members of the selection committee will decide for each case what the selection process will be, if an assessment is made only for the curriculum vitae or any other procedure is planned: interview, tests, etc ...
• Each phase of the selection process will be reported on the website where the offer is published. If applicable, indicate your request.
• Finally, the name of the person selected will be published on the same website where the offer is published.

Additional comments

Remember that the resume should not include any personal data or photographs.