Postdoc: Soft Matter Dynamics & High-Pressure Dielectric

Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences; Polska; On-site; PLN 81,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the Department of Soft Matter Research (NZ35). The successful candidate will conduct experimental work on molecular dynamics and high‑pressure dielectric measurements, contributing to upcoming projects and publications.

The role includes collaboration within a team, presenting results at seminars and conferences, and pursuing external funding opportunities.

Qualifications

• PhD in physical sciences or related fields; applications may be submitted without a doctoral degree during the period.
• Publications in prestigious journals.
• Knowledge of molecular dynamics and soft matter, with pressure and temperature effects.
• Experience with research equipment and data analysis.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Strong English, both spoken and written.

Responsibilities

• Participate in experimental research on molecular dynamics in soft matter, emphasizing high-pressure broadband dielectric spectroscopy.
• Perform dielectric measurements under varying temperature and pressure, analyze results and discuss thermodynamic effects.
• Disseminate results via publications and presentations, and apply for external funding.

Skills

Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy

Dielectric spectroscopy

Molecular dynamics

Pressure effects

English proficiency

Teamwork

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences Department Department of Soft Matter Research /NZ35/ Research Field Physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 16 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number AP-II-NZ35-1/26 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Description:

A person employed as an adjunct (post-doc) for a fixed period up to 33 Months at the Department of Soft Matter Research – NZ35 at IFJ PAN will be obliged to participate in work on research topics and projects implemented and planned for the nearest period at the NZ35 Department.

The basic tasks of the employed person will include:

- participation in experimental research on molecular dynamics and relaxation processes in soft matter systems, with particular emphasis on high-pressure studies using broadband dielectric spectroscopy;

-performing dielectric measurements under varying temperature and pressure conditions, analyzing and interpreting experimental results, including the effects of thermodynamic conditions on molecular dynamics, relaxation processes and the glass transition, as well as applying complementary experimental techniques;

- dissemination of the research results in the form of publications in leading scientific journalsindexed in the JCRand speeches during seminars and conferences, including international ones. This person will also be obliged to apply for external funding for research.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Physics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Required qualifications:
• doctor degree in physical sciences or related disciplines: chemistry, physical chemistry or material science, (Applications may be submitted without a doctoral degree during the application period),
• scientific achievements documented by publications in prestigious international scientific journals,
• knowledge of the research topics and current activity in the field of molecular dynamics and relaxation processes in soft matter, with particular emphasis on the effects of pressure and temperature on the physical properties of molecular systems,
• experience in working with scientific research equipment and analysis of experimental data,
• ability to work in a team,
• good knowledge of broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), dielectric spectra analysis methods and the physical principles of molecular dynamics under varying thermodynamic conditions,
• very good knowledge of spoken and written English

Welcome:

• experience in the field of high-pressure dielectric measurements, operation of high-pressure experimental equipment and analysis of the pressure dependence of relaxation processes and the glass transition temperature,
• experience in investigating molecular systems under spatial confinement and applying complementary experimental techniques, such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction
• f amiliarity with neutron spectroscopy, particularly its application to the investigation of molecular dynamics and relaxation processes in soft matter, including inelastic and quasielastic neutron scattering (INS/QENS).

Specific Requirements

The recruitment process is conducted in accordance with the Recruitment Policy for Research Staff Positions at the Henryk Niewodniczański Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Resolution No. 51/2026 of the Scientific Council dated September 14, 2026).

Detailed rules for conducting the competition are set forth in the regulations for the employment of assistant professors and research assistants adopted by the Scientific Council of the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Resolution No. 52/2026 of the Scientific Council dated September 14, 2026), available at:

Applicants seeking employment at the IFJ PAN are required to contact the head of the NZ35 Department, Prof. Ewa Juszyńska-Gałązka ( [e-mail] ), by November 9th, 2026,who may ask the candidate to give a seminar before submitting an application; the Department Head then sends the Selection Committee a brief opinion recommending or not recommending the candidate for employment. Failure to meet with the Department Head by November 9th, 2026, will result in the application being rejected on procedural grounds.

The Director of the Institute may cancel the competition at any stage of the recruitment process without providing a reason.

Recuired documents

The list of required documents is included in the rules of the competition:

• Applications with attachments shall be sent by e-mail by November 16th, 2026 to the following address: [e-mail] with the note „Adiunkt/post-doc/AP-II-NZ35-1/26”.It is preferred to place the application and attachments in a single file in PDF format or in a .zip or .rar file.

The employment recommendation from the two referees shall be sent directly, bypassing the candidate, to the following e-mail address: [e-mail] , by November 16th, 2026.

Internal Application form(s) needed

application_form_adjunct_research_assistant_12.pdf

full-time position, no teaching obligations - only research annual leave 36 days well equipped facilities, the tools required for research: computer farms and cloud computing infrastructure, software, servers, etc. work in active an inspiring environment; an active seminar program, the possibility for close collaborations with other research institutes access to world-class experts, parking

Selection process

All applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. Based on the submitted documentation, the Committee shall: conduct a formal review of
the application; evaluate the qualifications of candidates whose applications meet the formal requirements; and select a candidate to be interviewed. Interviews with candidates shall take place from December 1st, to December 3rd, 2026. Candidates qualified for interviews shall be notified by e-mail about the exact date of the Interview by November 20th, 2026. During the interview the candidate shall be required to give a presentation, stored on a pen drive, lasting 10 minutes at maximum which shell presenting candidate’s most important achievement,

• The competition shall be concluded by December 15th, 2026.
• Each candidate shall be notified by e-mail about the results of the competition.

The final decision on employing and salary shall be taken by IFJ PAN Director.

Additional comments

A person employed at the position of Assistant Professor with a postdoctoral degree (habilitation) of PLN 8,050 gross, andwith a PhD degree will receive a monthly basic salary of PLN 7,250 gross.

The total amount of remuneration is influenced by additional components, such as:

• length of service
• allowance for working under conditions of exposure to ionizing radiation (if applicable)

Possibility of granting:

• Long-service Award
• Annual Bonus
• support under the Company Social Benefits Fund in accordance with the ZFŚS Regulations.

Excerpt from the IFJ PAN Employee Remuneration Regulations and excerpt from the Company Social Benefits Fund Regulations link

Type of contract: contract of employment for a fixed period up to 33 months, full-time at IFJ PAN as the only place of work

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences Country Poland City Krakow Postal Code 31-342 Street Radzikowskiego 152 Geofield