PhD Student position in the frame of OPUS 28/LAP project

West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin; Szczecin; On-site; PLN 39,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin poszukuje kandydata na stanowisko Doktoranta w ramach projektu PhotoH2. Zakres pracy obejmuje przygotowanie i modyfikację TiO2, prowadzenie badań fotokatalitycznych i współpracę w interdyscyplinarnym zespole.

Wymagane jest ukończenie studiów magisterskich z zakresu chemicznej technologii, chemii lub pokrewnych oraz dobra znajomość narzędzi analitycznych i programów biurowych.

Qualifications

• Magister ukończone studia z chemii/technologii chemicznej lub pokrewnych.
• Wysoka znajomość podstawowych metod instrumentalnych (FTIR, DRIFT, Raman).
• Dobra znajomość programów do analizy danych i pakietów biurowych.

Responsibilities

• Przygotowanie i modyfikacja fotoaktywnych warstw TiO2 na nośnikach.
• Opracowywanie metod syntezy i optymalizacja warunków sputteringowych.
• Przygotowywanie próbek do charakterystyki chemiczno‑fizycznej.
• Samodzielna charakterystyka badanych kompozytów przy użyciu podstawowych i zaawansowanych metod.
• Współudział w projektowaniu systemów do badania sorpji i aktywności fotokatalitycznej.

Skills

FTIR/DRIFT

Raman

UV-Vis/DRS

N2 adsorption

photocatalysis

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Teams

OriginPro

ChemSketch

Education

MSc in chemical technology, chemistry, materials engineering or related field

Tools

DC magnetron sputtering

photocatalyst synthesis

Job description

PhD Student position in the frame of OPUS 28/LAP project 13.07.2026 11:35

Oferty pracy ZUT

Department of Inorganic Chemical Technology and Environment Engineering announces a competition for a PhD Student position in the frame of the OPUS 28/LAP project entitled “Investigating the mechanisms and efficiency of green hydrogen formation as a by-product of the photoreduction of carbon dioxide in the aqueous and gas phases” (acronym: PhotoH2), under the supervision of dr hab. inż. Ewelina Kusiak-Nejman, prof. ZUT.

JOB/POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Position:PhD Student

Disciplines:Field of engineering and technical sciences, Discipline: Chemical Engineering

Remuneration arrangements:Scholarship

Number of positions:1

Envisaged starting date:01.10.2026 according to the Doctoral School schedule

Period of doctoral scholarship:27 months; The scholarship funded from the project is granted until 31.12.2028, with the possibility of extension in the event of a prolongation of the project and subject to the availability of funds.

Expected gross remuneration:1st year: approx. 3571 PLN, 2nd year: approx. 3571 PLN, 3rd year (after the month of the mid-term evaluation of PhD students): approx. 5501 PLN monthly.

Organization:Department of Inorganic Chemical Technology and Environment Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin

Principal Investigator:dr hab. inż. Ewelina Kusiak‑Nejman, prof. ZUT

NCN call type: OPUS – ST

Project title:Project NCN OPUS 28/LAP no. UMO-2024/55/I/ST8/01898 entitled “Investigating the mechanisms and efficiency of green hydrogen formation as a by-product of the photoreduction of carbon dioxide in the aqueous and gas phases” (acronym: PhotoH2)

Brief project description:The PhotoH2 project concept goes a step further, and it was planned to determine the feasibility of using photocatalytic water splitting as a side reaction of the carbon dioxide photoreduction process. The project’s premise is to generate hydrogen while reducing carbon dioxide emissions, a major source of air pollution. The project will be executed by research groups from the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin and VSB - Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic). The Polish research group works on hydrogen generation in the gas phase. In contrast, the Czech research team has well-established knowledge and extensive experience in hydrogen production and the photoreduction of carbon dioxide in the water phase. Significant studies are planned to be conducted in the gas phase, containing water vapour and carbon dioxide, in the presence of modified titania photocatalysts co‑deposited via reactive DC magnetron sputtering (co‑deposition of three different metal ions simultaneously, in an inert or oxidising atmosphere supported by high temperature heating of the sample carrier to obtain photoactive anatase form of titania) on solid supports (glass fibre cloth, microporous uniform activated carbon fibre felts and solid powder carbon spheres) at WPUT in Szczecin.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter with explanation of the interest of the Candidate in the position and a description of the research experience
• a copy of the document confirming the award of a MSc degree
• Scans of documents confirming work placements, scientific trainings, fellowships or apprenticeships
• List of publications including a number of citations and h-index and the ORCID number
• List of conference presentations (oral and poster)
• Information on research projects
• List of inventions and patents
• List of awards
• Other documents confirming qualifications and scientific achievements
• A statement that, if employed, the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin will be employee’s primary place of work
• Consent to the processing of personal data for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process (in accordance with the Act of 10 May 2018 on the protection of personal data and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016)

* If the MSc degree is not granted by a Polish university, the Candidate should verify whether a recognition of her/his diploma is required. More information can be found on NAWA website (nawa.gov.pl/en/recognition/recognition-for-academic-purposes/applying-for-admission-to-doctoral-studies). The recognition of the diploma, if applicable, must be attached to the application for the PhD student position.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• master's degree in chemical technology, chemistry, materials engineering or related science,
• advanced knowledge of the principles of basic instrumental methods, e.g. FTIR and DRIFT, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis/DRS, low-temperatureN 2 adsorption/desorption, CO 2 adsorption/desorption, fluorescence measurement, photocurrent and quantum efficiency measurements, etc.
• advanced knowledge of the fundamentals of gas adsorption processes on the surface of solids and the fundamentals of photocatalytic oxidation/reduction processes using semiconductors,
• basic knowledge in DC‑magnetron sputtering method,
• ability to work with articles and search for scientific information,
• very good knowledge of basic data-processing programs, mainly MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Teams, OriginPro, Chemix, MolView, NIST, BioRender, Avogaro, ChemSketch, etc.
• advanced proficiency in the English language.

Moreover, the Candidate must meet the National Science Centre (NCN) criteria for PhD student position, i.e. the Candidate must successfully complete the recruitment procedure to the Doctoral School and on the envisaged starting date (01.10.2026) must be a PhD student at the Doctoral School.

SCOPE OF WORK:

1) scientific activities:

• preparation and modification of the photoactive TiO 2 thin layers deposited onto solid or powder support via DC magnetron sputtering (acceptance of PI and post‑doc needed),
• preparation of powder solid supports based on a method developed by a supervisor (PI),
• optimization of synthesis method for obtaining modified titania thin films,
• preparation of samples for physicochemical characterization,
• self‑performed characterization of the tested composites using basic and advanced instrumental methods, e.g. FTIR and DRIFT, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis/DRS, low-temperatureN 2 adsorption/ desorption, fluorescence measurement to estimate the hydroxyl radicals formation, etc.
• cooperation in the design of systems for studying sorption/photocatalytic abilities and implementation of the units under the supervision of the PI and post‑doc,
• preparation of samples for sorption and photocatalytic activity tests, performing the analyses, and correct, ongoing interpretation of the results,
• carrying out an appropriate, detailed interpretation of the results obtained,
• preparing patent applications and scientific papers,
• actively participating in scientific conferences,
• preparing a doctoral thesis in the framework of the project theme pursued.