Assistant professor

UW Working Group; Polska; On-site; PLN 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation at UW Residence

Job summary

University of Warsaw is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the SONATA 20 project on nanoporous alumina platforms for early disease detection. You will fabricate, functionalise, and characterise oxide platforms, and contribute to reports and publications.

The role requires a PhD, strong data analysis, and good English communication. Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team and mentoring junior members are expected.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent required with 12-year rule considerations.
• Significant track record and international experience preferred.
• Experience in anodisation or surface functionalisation is advantageous.
• Proficiency in optical characterisation of nanostructures.

Responsibilities

• Nanofabrication of nanoporous anodic alumina.
• Surface functionalisation and optical characterisation of platforms.
• Independent planning and execution of multi-stage experiments.
• Prepare internal reports, scientific publications, and conference talks.
• Collaborate closely with PI and junior team members.

Skills

Independent experimental work

English proficiency

Scientific collaboration

Mentoring junior team members

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Nanofabrication

UV-Vis spectroscopy

Fluorimetry

Python

Gloveboxes

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Warsaw Department Faculty of Physics Research Field Physics » Chemical physics Physics » Surface physics Physics » Applied physics Physics » Other Engineering » Materials engineering Chemistry » Physical chemistry Technology » Materials technology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 30 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number WF-1210-20/2026 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The researcher will participate in the NCN-funded SONATA 20 research project entitled “Lasing of nanoporous anodic alumina organic-fluorophore-infiltrated enabling an early-stage detection of neurodegenerative diseases.” The project aims to a nanofabrication of stained nanoporous platforms for an early-state detection of neurodegenerative diseases. It is a proposed alternative to thin biolayers, droplet resonators and fluid enclosed inside resonant cavities. Platforms will be surface-functionalised for efficient immobilisation of stained peptides in pores. The absence of liquid phases in oxide platforms may enhance lasing. At the same time, the surface functionalisation may prevent dye-peptide aggregations. The pore diameter will be varied periodically throughout length, allowing a formation of internal light-scattering centres to amplify lasing readout due to a present of photonic bandgap.

The researcher will be responsible for the nanofabrication of nanoporous anodic alumina using steady-state and pulse anodisation of aluminium. They will take part in the surface functionalisation (using aminosilanes) of the fabricated platforms and in their optical characterisations. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out independent experimental work while closely collaborating with the principal investigator and other members of the research team. Moreover, the minor assistant in scientific and technical support to junior team members is possible. The researcher will also contribute to the preparation of internal reports, scientific publications, and conference presentations.

Requirements

Research Field Physics » Applied physics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Optics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry » Physical chemistry Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Technology » Nanotechnology Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The employment will take place in accordance with the NCN regulations and requirements set out in Article 113 of the Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1571). In particular, the person employed for this position must have a doctoral degree obtained no earlier than 12 years before the year of employment in the project. This period does not include breaks related to maternity leave, additional maternity leave, leave on the conditions of maternity leave, additional leave on the conditions of maternity leave, paternity leave, or parental leave granted on the terms specified in the provisions of the Labor Code or the receipt of sickness allowance or rehabilitation benefits in connection with incapacity for work, including those caused by diseases requiring medical rehabilitation. For women, the indicated 7-year period may be extended by 18 months for each child born or adopted. A woman can choose a more favourable way to indicate breaks in her scientific career.

The employment will take place in accordance with the NCN regulations, in particular the employed person must meet the following conditions jointly:

• the principal investigator was not a supervisor or assistant supervisor of her doctoral dissertation;
• their PhD degree has been awarded by another institution than the one planned to employ them at this post or they have completed a continuous and evidenced post-doctoral fellowship of at least 10 months in another institution than the host institution for the project and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred a PhD degree;
• at the time of receiving remuneration, they will not be receiving any other remuneration paid from the funds granted to research projects under NCN calls under the heading of direct costs;
• in the period of receiving the remuneration they will not be receiving no remuneration from another employer pursuant to an employment contract, including an employer with registered office outside of Poland;
• during the period of receiving this remuneration, he will not receive retirement benefits from the social security system;
• will be employed for at least 6 months.

The candidate should have:

• Fulfilment of the requirements set out in Article 113 of the Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1571, consolidated text)
• significant scientific track record, including publications and conference presentations;
• international research experience, including research internships, fellowships, and/or scientific collaborations;
• practical experience in the anodisation of metal surfaces (e.g. aluminium, titanium, etc.) and/or in the functionalisation of metal surfaces using aminosilanes;
• experience in material characterisation using UV–Vis spectrophotometry and/or fluorimetry;
• ability to independently plan and conduct multi-stage experimental research involving the fabrication and characterisation of nanostructures and/or photonic crystals;
• good command of English, both spoken and written, including the ability to prepare scientific publications.

Specific Requirements

• significant scientific track record (original articles and conference presentations),
• international research experience, such as research stays or scientific collaboration,
• robust knowledge and experience in anodisation of metals (aluminium, titanium, etc.) and/or surface functionalisation harnessing aminosilanes,
• technical expertise in UV/vis spectrophotometry and/or fluorescence spectroscopy,
• ability to work independently and capable of interacting within a group in multi-stage experimental work related to the fabrication and characterization of nanostructures and photonic crystals,
• good written and oral communication skills, with the ability to contribute to scientific manuscripts and present research findings in an international environment.
• robust knowledge and experience in working with gloveboxes,
• robust knowledge and experience in working withfluorophores,
• proficiency in Python language,
• ability to mentor students and junior team members.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Physics » Applied physicsPhysics » OpticsPhysics » Chemical physicsChemistry » Physical chemistryEngineering » Materials engineeringTechnology » Materials technologyTechnology » Nanotechnology Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Research Field Physics » Applied physicsPhysics » OpticsPhysics » Chemical physicsChemistry » Physical chemistryEngineering » Materials engineeringTechnology » Materials technologyTechnology » Nanotechnology Years of Research Experience 4 - 10

Additional Information

Benefits are in accordance with Polish employment laws for academic teachers. Full-time temporary employment at the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura Street 5, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland for up to 18 months period. Basic remuneration 140 000 PLN gross gross/year (including the employer’s costs, additional annual remuneration, allowance for years of service, etc.).Beginning of employment on or after 01.02.2027 is negotiable.

The person employed as an assistant professor in research group(post-doc) will have the opportunity to conduct independent experimental research in the areas of nanofabrication, surface chemistry, optics, and nanophotonics. Work within the project will enable the development of expertise in the fabrication and processing of nanoporous anodic alumina and the optical characterisation of oxide platforms.

The person will have access to the advanced research infrastructure of the University of Warsaw and the opportunity to collaborate with specialists in nanofabrication, photonics, surface chemistry, and advanced laser techniques. The development of skills as independent researcher in planning, data analysis, preparation of scientific publications, coordination of experimental work, and supervision of junior researchers is also available.

Participation in international conferences is envisaged, together with opportunities to develop scientific collaborations and establish new research directions at the intersection of nanotechnology, photonics, surface chemistry, and materials science.

Accommodation at the University of Warsaw’s Researcher Residence may be available upon application.

Eligibility criteria

Criteria for the assessment of candidates in a competition

1. Scientific achievements (publications, projects, presentations):

– number and quality of scientific publications (including those in JCR-listed journals),

– participation in research projects (national and international),

– presentations at scientific conferences.

2. Research experience and competencies:

– relevance of the candidate’s experience to the research field of the project

– robust knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques relevant to anodisation of metal’s surface, surface functionalisation,and optical characterisation of nanostructures and photonic crystals,

– experience handling optical characterisation of nanostructures and photonic crystals based nanoporous anodic alumina.

3. Soft and organizational skills

– strong interpersonal skills to integrate into the research environment and work effectively with principal investigator and local faculty

• Copy of the diploma confirming the required PhD degree;
• If applicable, information on the expected date of obtaining the PhD degree (the PhD degree must be obtained before submitting the documents required for employment);

As part of the employment process, the selected candidate is required to submit the original documents.

The candidates might be asked for an interview with the commission appointed by the Dean of the Faculty.

The entire procedure will be concluded before 21.12.2026.

Candidates will be individually notified ofthe competition results via email.

Candidates with disabilities or special needs may report their accessibility requirements for the recruitment process.

This announcement is the first step in the procedure of employing an academic teacher and its positive result will be a base for consecutive steps.

Additional comments

Information about the Internal Reporting Procedure at the University of Warsaw pursuant to the Act of June 14, 2024 on the procedure for whistleblowers:

The University of Warsaw has a procedure for reporting rights violations - Internal reporting procedure, attached to Ordinance No. 94 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw dated 17 September 2024 on the procedure for whistleblowers reporting cases of law violation at the University of Warsaw and for undertaking follow-up actions, published and available in Monitor UW 2024, item 266.For moreinformation about this topic and the processing of candidates’ personal data please follow the link