Materials for Bio-Hybrid Energy Harvesting (ERC EpiC, Postdoc or experienced MSc)

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies; Italia; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies’ BioRobotics Institute in Pontedera, Italy, invites postdocs and MSc graduates to join the ERC Consolidator project EpiC. You will develop advanced materials for bio-hybrid energy harvesting and lead materials innovation in the SPIS Lab, focusing on energy conversion on natural surfaces.

You will engineer platforms using surface functionalization and structuring, employing self-assembled monolayers, AFM, lithography, bioprinting and microfabrication to power

Qualifications

• Master's degree obtained no more than 6 years before Oct 8, 2026 in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Chemical Sciences.
• Hands-on laboratory experience with functional materials and surface chemistry.
• Interdisciplinary approach across chemistry, physics and biology.
• Good command of English and ability to work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced materials for multi-source bio-hybrid energy harvesting.
• Engineer platforms to study energy conversion on natural surfaces.
• Functionalize and structure surfaces (e.g. self-assembled monolayers) and use AFM, lithography.
• Integrate materials into microfluidic platforms and artificial leaves powering sensors.

Skills

Lab experience

Functional materials

Surface chemistry

Interdisciplinary teamwork

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Chemical Sciences

Tools

AFM

Lithography

Bioprinting

Microfabrication

Characterization techniques

Job description

Organisation/Company Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies Department The BioRobotics Institute Research Field Chemistry » Physical chemistry Engineering » Materials engineering Technology » Materials technology Physics » Surface physics Engineering » Chemical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 29 Oct 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Rome) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number 101124721 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Postdocs and MSc graduates with relevant hands‑on experience are both welcome.

Join the Lab for Surface Phenomena and Integrated Systems (SPIS) and the ERC Consolidator project EpiC (Epicuticular electrification: spontaneous charging of materials at the world's largest bio-air interface) at the Institute of BioRobotics, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa under supervision of Prof. Dr. Fabian Meder.

THE ROLE
You will develop advanced materials for multi‑source bio‑hybrid energy harvesting and lead materials innovation in the SPIS Lab. You will engineer platforms to study and exploit energy conversion on natural surfaces, using surface functionalization and structuring (e.g. self‑assembled monolayers) and techniques such as AFM, lithography, bioprinting and tissue extraction. Your materials will be integrated into microfluidic platforms and artificial leaves that use triboelectricity and electrocatalytic processes as autonomous sources to power sensors and small robots.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• A scientist who enjoys working in the lab on materials and surfaces
• Experience in functional materials and surface chemistry
• Curiosity about biology and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team
• Good English
• Candiates must be within 6 years of their MSc degree, a PhD is ideal but candidates without one are fully evaluated based on relevant experience

ELIGIBILITY

Master's degree obtained no more than 6 years before 8 October 2026 in Physics (LM-17), Chemical Engineering (LM-22), Materials Science and Engineering (LM-53) or Chemical Sciences (LM-54), or an equivalent foreign degree. Italian citizenship is not required.

WE OFFER

24 months, EUR 58,000 total gross. You will work in an ERC-funded, interdisciplinary project at the frontier of its field.

SELECTION

Evaluation of qualifications (PhD, Master's degree and thesis, publications, experience) and a possible interview on 10 November 2026, online. English and expertise in functional materials and surface chemistry are assessed.

• Hands‑on laboratory experience with functional materials and surface chemistry
• Surface functionalization and structuring, e.g. self‑assembled monolayers
• Characterization and micro/nanofabrication: AFM, lithography
• Interest in or experience with bioprinting, tissue handling or biological samples
• Microfluidics and the integration of materials into devices or platforms
• Knowledge of triboelectricity, contact electrification or electrocatalysis
• Interest in energy harvesting and sustainable energy conversion
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, combining chemistry, physics and biology
• Independent, curious and rigorous, with a practical problem-solving mindset

Specific Requirements

• Master's degree obtained no more than 6 years before 8 October 2026 in Physics (LM-17), Chemical Engineering (LM-22), Materials Science and Engineering (LM-53) or Chemical Sciences (LM-54), or an equivalent foreign degree.
• A PhD is ideal, but candidates without one are fully evaluated based on relevant experience. Postdocs and experienced MSc graduates are both welcome.
• Not eligible: permanent staff of universities or public research bodies, previous fixed‑term researcher (RTD) contracts, and more than 3 years of previous research assignments (11 years including all research contracts), counting the 24 months offered here.
• Not compatible with current enrolment in a degree or PhD programme, or with other employment.
• Good command of English (assessed at the interview).
• Italian citizenship is not required.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, The BioRobotics Institute Country Italy State/Province Tuscany City Pontedera Postal Code 56026 Street Viale R. Piaggio 34 Geofield