Visiting researcher

UW Working Group; Polska; On-site; PLN 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Polish employment law benefits

Job summary

The University of Warsaw invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position in the NCN OPUS 30 project on optically and electrically driven hybrid memristive synapses. The successful candidate will fabricate thin-film/nanostructured materials using PVD, optimize memristive structures, and participate in device integration and characterization.

Collaboration with the PI and team is essential. Requirements include a PhD or equivalent and strong English communication.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent required.
• Experience in nanofabrication and thin-film processing.
• Experience with electrical/optical characterization of nanoscale devices.
• Excellent command of English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate and process thin-film and nanostructured materials.
• Prepare and optimize memristive structures and test devices.
• Assemble and integrate fabricated devices and perform preliminary characterization.
• Prepare internal reports, publications, and conference presentations.

Skills

English proficiency

Nanofabrication

PVD processing

Device characterization

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

PVD

Lithography

Thin-film processing

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Warsaw Department Faculty of Physics Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Physics » Electronics Physics » Applied physics Physics » Chemical physics Physics » Optics Technology » Materials technology Physics » Electromagnetism Physics » Solid state physics Technology » Nanotechnology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number WF-1210-19/2026 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The researcher will participate in the NCN-funded OPUS 30 research project entitled “Optically and Electrically Driven Hybrid Memristive Synapses with Short- and Long-Term Plasticity for Next-Generation Neuromorphic Information Processing.” The project aims to develop a new generation of optoelectronic memristive synapses integrating information processing and memory functions within a single device architecture.

The researcher will be responsible for the fabrication and processing of thin-film and nanostructured materials using PVD and related techniques, as well as for the preparation and optimization of memristive structures and test devices. They will take part in the assembly and integration of the fabricated devices and in their preliminary electrical, optical, and electro-optical characterization, including analysis of the obtained results. 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, and to provide scientific and technical support to the PhD student involved in the project, particularly in sample preparation and device fabrication. They 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 » Electromagnetism Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Electronics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Optics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Solid state physics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Other 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 employed person must meet the following conditions jointly:

• the PhD degree must have been awarded by an institution other than the institution in which employment under the project is planned, unless the candidate has completed a continuous and documented research stay of at least 9 months, undertaken during doctoral school, doctoral studies, or after obtaining the PhD degree, at an institution other than the institution implementing the project and in a country other than the country in which the PhD degree was awarded;
• the candidate must have obtained the PhD degree in the year of employment in the project or within 12 years preceding 1 January of the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended by the duration of documented long-term sick leave or rehabilitation benefits exceeding 90 days due to incapacity for work. It may also be extended by the number of months of parental or childcare leave granted in accordance with the Labour Code. In the case of women, the period may alternatively be extended by 18 months for each child born or adopted, if this method of accounting for career breaks is more favourable;

during the period of receiving remuneration from the project, the person employed in the project may not receive any other remuneration from funds awarded as direct costs under research projects funded through NCN calls. The person may also not receive remuneration from another employer under an employment contract, including an employer based outside Poland, and may not receive pension benefits or equivalent benefits in Poland or abroad.

The candidate should have:

• a significant scientific track record, including publications and conference presentations, as well as international research experience, such as research stays or scientific collaboration;
• practical experience in nanofabrication, processing of thin-film structures, or fabrication of micro- or nanoscale devices, including the use of PVD, lithographic, or related techniques;
• experience in the electrical, optical, or electro-optical characterization of thin films, nanophotonic structures, or micro- and nanostructured devices;
• the ability to independently plan and carry out multi-stage experimental work related to the fabrication and characterization of structures;
• excellent command of written and spoken English, including the ability to prepare scientific publications.

Specific Requirements

• experience in research on micro- or nanoscale optoelectronic devices; experience with memristive structures or advanced nanoscale devices will be considered an additional asset;
• experience in supervising or mentoring PhD students or undergraduate/master’s students will be an advantage.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Physics » Applied physicsPhysics » ElectromagnetismPhysics » ElectronicsPhysics » OpticsPhysics » Solid state physicsPhysics » OtherTechnology » Materials technologyTechnology » Nanotechnology Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Research Field Physics » Applied physicsPhysics » ElectromagnetismPhysics » ElectronicsPhysics » OpticsPhysics » Solid state physicsPhysics » OtherTechnology » 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 Facult of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland for up to 36 months with an initial 18 months period followed by extension after positive evaluation. Basic remuneration 180 000 PLN gross gross/year (including the employer’s costs, additional annual remuneration, allowance for years of service, etc.).Beginning of employment on or after 01.12.2026, negotiable.

The person employed as a visiting researcher (post-doc) will have the opportunity to conduct independent experimental research in the areas of nanofabrication, optoelectronics, nanophotonics, and memristive neuromorphic systems. Work within the project will enable the development of expertise in the fabrication and processing of thin-film structures, PVD and lithographic techniques, nanostructuring, as well as the electrical and optical characterization of devices.

The postdoctoral researcher will have access to the advanced research infrastructure of the University of Warsaw and the opportunity to collaborate with specialists in nanofabrication, photonics, and advanced laser techniques. The project will also provide opportunities to develop skills in independent research planning, data analysis, preparation of scientific publications, coordination of experimental work, and supervision of junior researchers.

Participation in international conferences is envisaged, together with opportunities to develop scientific collaborations and establish new research directions at the intersection of nanotechnology, photonics, and neuromorphic information processing.

Eligibility criteria

Criteria for the assessment of candidates in a competition

1. Scientific achievements (publications, projects, presentations) – The number and quality of scientific publications (including those in JCR-listed journals), assessed in the context of the length of the candidate’s academic career – Participation in research projects (national and international) – Presentations at scientific conferences.

2. Research experience and competencies – Relevance of the candidate’s experience to the scope of the project – Knowledge of tools, methods, and techniques relevant to nanofabrication, thin-film processing, and the study of micro- and nanoscale optoelectronic devices – Experience in the electrical, optical, or materials characterization of memristive structures and advanced nanoscale devices.

3. Soft and organizational skills – Communication skills and ability to work in a team – Independence in planning and conducting research – Ability to present results (both orally and in writing).

• Copy of the diploma confirming the required 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);
• Two letters of recommendation from academic researchers.

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 30.11.2026.

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