Post-doc position in the frame of OPUS 28/LAP project

West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin; Szczecin; On-site; PLN 99,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin seeks a Post-doc for the NCN OPUS 28/LAP project. The role focuses on preparing and characterizing TiO2-based photocatalysts, coupling photocatalytic hydrogen production with CO2 photoreduction, and advancing gas-phase studies with advanced spectroscopy.

The candidate will work under the PI and collaborate with international partners. A doctoral degree in a related field and strong publication record are desirable; English proficiency is

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in chemical technology, chemistry, materials engineering or related science (≤12 years before employment).
• Advanced knowledge of inert/reactive DC-magnetron sputtering.
• Advanced knowledge of instrumental methods (FTIR/DRIFT, Raman, UV-Vis, N2 adsorption/desorption, GC/IR).
• Advanced knowledge of gas sorption/photocatalytic processes and semiconductors.
• Ability to search scientific information and use data-processing tools.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and modify TiO2-based materials and synthesize modified TiO2.
• Characterize composites using spectroscopy and adsorption techniques.
• Prepare samples, run analyses, interpret results, and assist in patent and paper preparation.
• Present results at scientific conferences (oral/poster).
• Support project promotion and data management requirements.

Skills

English proficiency

Information retrieval

Scientific writing

Education

Doctoral degree in chemical technology/chemistry/materials engineering

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Teams

OriginPro

Statistica

ImageJ

Job description

Post-doc position in the frame of OPUS 28/LAP project 10.07.2026 11:52

Oferty pracy ZUT

JOB/POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Position:Post-doc

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

Remuneration arrangements:Employment contract, full-time

Number of positions:1

Start date:01.10.2026

Period of employment:24 months

Expected gross remuneration : c.a. 9700 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 fiber 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 doctoral 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)

* In accordance with NCN requirements, only a person who obtained a doctoral degree no earlier than 12 years prior to the year of employment on the project may be appointed. This period may be extended by the duration of any long-term (over 90 days) documented sick pay or rehabilitation benefits received during that period due to incapacity for work. In addition to this period, the number of months spent on leave related to the care and upbringing of children, granted in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Code, may be added; in the case of women, 18 months may be added for each child born or adopted, if this method of calculating breaks in the academic career is more favourable.

In accordance with the requirements of the National Science Centre (NCN), only a person who has obtained a doctoral degree at an institution other than the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin or has completed at least a 10-month, continuous and documented postdoctoral fellowship at an institution other than the one implementing the project and in a country other than the one in which the doctoral degree was obtained.

If the PhD diploma 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 post-doc position.

** The document will only be accepted if the doctoral thesis has been submitted and sent for review.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• doctoral degree in chemical technology, chemistry, materials engineering or related science (less than 12 years before the signature of the employment contract) or an official document from the Home University about the proposed term of the doctoral defence (signed by a supervisor and the dean of the faculty/president of the institution),
• advanced knowledge of the principles of inert/reactive DC-magnetron sputtering,
• advanced knowledge of the principles of basic instrumental methods, e.g. FTIR and DRIFT, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis/DRS, low-temperature N 2 adsorption/desorption, CO 2 adsorption/desorption, fluorescence measurement, wettability and contact angle measurements utilising various methods, atomic force microscopy, 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,
• advanced knowledge of the fundamentals of gas chromatography and IR detection of inorganic gases;
• 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, Statistica, ImageJ, etc.
• advanced proficiency in the English language.

SCOPE OF WORK:

1) scientific activities

• preparation and modification of TiO
• optimization of the synthesis method for obtaining modified TiO
• self-performed characterization of the tested composites using basic and advanced instrumental methods, e.g. FTIR and DRIFT, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis/DRS, low-temperature N 2 adsorption/desorption, CO 2 adsorption/desorption tests, particle size and zeta potential measurements, fluorescence measurement toestimate the hydroxyl radicals formation, contact angle and wettability measurements, elemental composition analysis for carbon, nitrogen and sulphur content utilizing LECO CN 628 and S 628 elemental analyzers, etc.,
• cooperation in the design of systems for studying sorption/photocatalytic abilities and implementation of the units under the supervision of the PI,
• preparation of samples for sorption and photocatalytic activity tests, performing the analyses, and correct interpretation of the results, operation of reactors and gas chromatograph,
• carrying out an appropriate, detailed interpretation of the results obtained,
• preparation of patent applications and scientific papers,
• active participation in scientific conferences (mainly oral presentations, presentation of research results in the form of a poster).

2) work to promote the project

• preparation and active participation by assisting in activities organized for young people to introduce the problem of carbon dioxide air pollution, the advantages of hydrogen technologies and new methods of obtaining eco-hydrogen (in terms of the project concept).

3) administrative work

• compiling research results and preparing research findings according to publication requirements,
• preparing the results as reports (reports organized according to project Data Management requirements, including raw data files).

APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 24.07.2026, 15:00 CET

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• the Selection Committee reserves the right to interview selected candidates (candidates will be informed until July 28th, 2026, of the venue and time of the interview by email),
• one person will be recommended for appointment,
• competition documents must be prepared in English,
• please address any enquiries regarding the competition to dr hab. inż. Ewelina Kusiak-Nejman, prof. ZUT by email: [e-mail]