Researcher in training to develop catalysts. (Ref. 10267130003)

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH; España; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH seeks a researcher to carry out synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical evaluation of functional inorganic nanomaterials and coordination complexes for energy storage. You will work within an interdisciplinary team on multi-technique analysis and device testing.

The role requires strong English proficiency, autonomy in protocol design, and the ability to publish results.

Qualifications

• Professional proficiency in English (oral and written).
• Autonomy in designing experimental protocols and multi-step syntheses.
• Strong analytical rigor and ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Immediate availability to join the doctoral program.

Responsibilities

• Develop synthesis and preparation of inorganic nanomaterials and coordination compounds.
• Perform structural and compositional characterization (XRD, XPS, ICP-OES, FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis).
• Evaluate electrochemical behavior and galvanostatic cycling in lab cells.
• Carry out electrode suspension casting and cell assembly for tests.
• Process data, document workflows, and contribute to manuscripts.

Skills

English proficiency

Autonomy in experiments

Analytical rigor

Interdisciplinary collaboration

PhD program readiness

Tools

Python

XRD

XPS

ICP-OES

FTIR

Raman

UV-Vis

Job description

Organisation/Company Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH Research Field Technology » Nanotechnology Engineering » Chemical engineering Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 9 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 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 10267130003 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Mission

To carry out the development, synthesis and multi-technique characterization of functional inorganic nanomaterials and coordination complexes for energy storage and advanced electrochemical applications.

Functions to be developed

• Develop the synthesis and preparation of inorganic nanomaterials and coordination compounds, including open framework and multielemental phases.
• Perform structural and compositional characterization using XRD (network refinement, peak broadening analysis), XPS, ICP-OES, FTIR, Raman and electron microscopy.
• Evaluate electrochemical behavior, including voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic cycling in laboratory cells (e.g., button or Swagelok type).
• Carry out suspension casting, electrode fabrication, battery cell assembly and optimization of test protocols.
• Processing raw experimental data sets, documentation of analytical workflows under traceability standards,
• Writing scientific manuscripts and presenting results at research seminars.
• Spectroscopic and analytical techniques (XPS, ICP-OES, FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis, TGA).
• Crystallography and structural analysis using powder XRD (lattice refinement, peak broadening analysis).
• Traceability of laboratory workflow, sample preparation and digestion procedures, and experimental problem solving.
• Formulation of electrodes and assembly of electrochemical cells: preparation and deposition of electrode suspensions, and assembly of button cells and Swagelok type cells for electrochemical tests.
• Multi-technique analytical validation: cross-characterization through the combination of surface analysis, elemental quantification and diffraction.
• Python for data processing and basic hardware or electronics troubleshooting.

Other requirements to consider

• Autonomy in the design of experimental protocols, the management of multi-step chemical syntheses and the resolution of reproducibility bottlenecks in the laboratory.
• Analytical rigor and ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary experimental research team.
• Immediate availability to join the doctoral program.

Specific Requirements

Knowledge

• Inorganic synthesis, coordination chemistry and wet chemical preparation routes (co-precipitation, colloidal methods, hydrothermal routes).
• Synthesis of materials and coordination structures: preparation of Prussian blue analogues and related coordination frameworks, with control of composition and crystal lattice defects.
• Principles of electrochemistry, charge storage kinetics and cell diagnostics.
• It will be assessed:
  • Professional proficiency in English (oral and written communication).

Languages CATALAN Level Basic

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Languages SPANISH Level Good

Research Field Technology » NanotechnologyEngineering » Chemical engineeringEngineering » Materials engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

• 1st year: €20,364.96
• 2nd year: €20,364.96
• 3rd year: €25,456.20

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.