Assistant professor (post-doc) in the group Cultural Heritage Research

Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences; Polska; On-site; PLN 100,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow invites applications for an Assistant Professor (Postdoc) position in the Cultural Heritage Research group to implement the NCN OPUS 30 project on evaluating wool deterioration in historical tapestries.

The successful candidate will develop artificial aging methods, perform polymer analysis, and contribute to preserving heritage textiles using advanced spectroscopy and mechanical testing.

Qualifications

• Experience in analysis of properties of polymer materials, supported by JRC publications.
• Experience in investigation of degradation of polymer materials, supported by JRC publications.
• Experience in the area of heritage science, supported by JRC publications.

Responsibilities

• Develop an appropriate method for artificial aging of wool yarns and conduct experiments.
• Conduct experiments using dynamic mechanical analysis and static strength tests with abiaxial tester.
• Determine optimal chemical and physical indicators of degradation and damage to yarns and fabrics.
• Determine the damage function for woolen tapestries relating degradation to factors like acidity, dyes, metal ions, or environmental conditions.
• Gain experience in analysis of properties of polymer materials.
• Investigate degradation of polymer materials using spectroscopic, diffraction and chromatographic methods.

Skills

Polymer materials analysis

Polymer degradation investigation

Heritage science

Education

PhD in related field

Tools

Spectroscopy

Diffraction

Chromatography

Job description

Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences Research Field Chemistry Chemistry » Physical chemistry Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 19 Nov 2026 - 15:00 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 4 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number KSN-5/2026 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• Place of work: Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow
• heritage science
• polymer science
• Research profile: R3
• Location: Poland, Krakow
• Employment mode: Full-time
• Weekly working hours: 40
• Keywords: wool degradation, preservation of tapestries, polymer degradation, conservation science

The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow announces a competition for the position of Assistant professor (post-doc) in the group Cultural Heritage Research for the implementation of the project NCN OPUS 30 “Evaluating wool deterioration in historical tapestries to support their conservation” (2025/59/B/HS2/01489).

The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions set out in the Act on the Polish Academy of Sciences of 30 April 2010 (Journal of Laws 2020, item 1796, as amended), Article 89, Section 3.

In particular, the responsibilities will include:

• developing an appropriate method for the artificial aging of wool yarns and conducting experiments;
• conducting experiments using dynamic mechanical analysis and static strength tests with abiaxial tester;
• determining optimal chemical and physical indicators of degradation and damage to yarns and fabrics;
• determining the damage function for woolen tapestries—that is, a function that analytically links a specified decline in chemical or physical properties to degrading factors such as acidity, dye, metal ions (components of the dye bath), or the temperature and humidity in the fabric’s environment.
• Experience in analysis of properties of polymer materials
• Experience in investigation of degradation of polymer materials using spectroscopic, diffraction and chromatographic methods.

Specific Requirements

The candidate's application should include:

• employment application
• copy of the diploma conferring the doctoral degree
• full curriculum vitae
• at least one opinion about the candidate from the previous supervisor
• list of scientific achievements

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field ChemistryChemistry » Physical chemistryEngineering » Chemical engineeringEngineering » Materials engineering Years of Research Experience More than 10

Additional Information

Gross salary will amount to 9 000,00 - 9 700,00 PLN per month depending on the candidate's experience.

Eligibility criteria

• Experience in analysis of properties of polymer materials, supported by JRC publications - 20 points (minimum required 10 points)
• Experience in investigation of degradation of polymer materials, supported by JRC publications - 20 points ((minimum required 10 points)
• Experience in the area of heritage science, supported by JRC publications - 10 points

The deadline for submitting documents is 2026-11-19 03:00 pm GMT+1. The competition will be concluded by 2026-12-09. Candidates will be informed about the outcome.

Employment will be offered for a period of 24 months in accordance with applicable regulations.

In the case of candidates with equivalent qualifications or if clarification of submitted information is needed, selected candidates may be invited to an online interview.

Additional comments

The Institute has been adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities. The Institute does not provide accommodation.

The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, awarded the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission, fully supports and applies the principles of open, transparent and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R). The Institute fully endorses and follows the OTM-R policy as one of the pillars of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, as well as akey element of the HR Strategy ( HRS4R ).

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences Country Poland City Krakow Postal Code 30-239 Street Niezapominajek 8 Geofield