Postdoctoral Researcher – Advanced Materials and Thin-Film Technologies

INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory; Braga; On-site; EUR 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Private health insurance

30 working days annual leave

Paid sick leave

Family allowance

Child allowance

Nursery on-site

Education fees support

Fitness expenses

Job summary

INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga, Portugal, seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance materials science within the MI3S project. You will design and validate advanced thin-film fabrication processes and analyse structure-property relationships to drive demonstrators and prototypes.

You will publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, collaborate with international teams, and mentor junior researchers.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field.
• Experience in materials science and nanotechnology.
• Strong experimental design and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent scientific research within the MI3S project.
• Develop, optimise and validate advanced materials and thin-film fabrication processes.
• Perform experimental investigations and characterisation of materials.
• Design and implement experimental methodologies and process optimisation.
• Contribute to integration of materials into demonstrators and devices.
• Prepare scientific publications and present results at conferences.
• Contribute to technical reports and project milestones.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Support supervision and training of junior researchers.
• Identify opportunities for new research proposals and applications.

Skills

Postdoctoral research

Materials science

Thin-film technologies

Characterisation techniques

Scientific writing

English proficiency

Education

PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Engineering Physics, Materials Engineering, or related field

Tools

Thin-film deposition

Physical vapour deposition

Sputtering

Atomic layer deposition

Job description

Contract Duration: 24 months

Expected Starting Date: December 2026

Salary Range: 37k – 40k annual gross

Group/Unit: Salomé Research Group

Supervisor: Pedro Salomé

Employment Type: Full time

Number of Vacancies: 1

Location: Braga, Portugal

Job Reference: Ref.31.26.436

Open Date for Applications: October 13th, 2026

Close Date for Applications: November 2nd, 2026, 23h59m (Lisbon Time)

Profile

We are looking for Postdoctoral Researcher to work under the project MI3S. The project’s aim is to advance research and technological development in innovative materials, functional thin films and their integration into advanced devices and systems. The project combines materials engineering, experimental characterisation and process optimisation to develop innovative technological solutions with potential industrial applications.

Job Duties

The main responsibilities will include:

• Conduct independent scientific research within the scope of the MI3S project, contributing to its scientific and technological objectives.
• Develop, optimise and validate advanced materials and thin-film fabrication processes for functional devices and applications.
• Perform experimental investigations, materials characterisation and quantitative analysis of process–structure–property relationships.
• Design and implement experimental methodologies, including process optimisation, reproducibility assessment and performance evaluation.
• Contribute to the integration of developed materials and processes into functional demonstrators and prototype devices.
• Prepare scientific publications for submission to international peer-reviewed journals and present research results at scientific conferences.
• Contribute to technical reports, project deliverables, milestones and other scientific documentation required by the project.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams and external project partners, supporting knowledge transfer and dissemination activities.
• Support the scientific supervision and training of junior researchers and students involved in related research activities.
• Identify opportunities for further scientific development, including new research proposals and potential industrial applications.

Academic Qualifications

Mandatory:

• PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Engineering Physics, Materials Engineering, or a closely related scientific or engineering field.

Key Experience and Technical Skills

• Demonstrated research experience in materials science, nanotechnology, thin-film technologies or related fields.
• Practical experience in experimental research, including the development, optimisation and validation of materials or fabrication processes.
• Knowledge of physical thin-film deposition techniques, materials processing or semiconductor-related fabrication technologies.
• Experience in materials and device characterisation, including the interpretation of experimental results.
• Ability to independently design experiments, critically analyse scientific data and troubleshoot experimental processes.
• Demonstrated scientific research capabilities, supported by peer-reviewed publications, conference contributions or equivalent scientific achievements.
• Good scientific writing and communication skills in English.

Other Valued Skills/Experience

• Experience with sputtering of CIGS solar cells is a plus.
• Previous experience working in cleanroom or advanced nanofabrication environments.
• Experience with physical vapour deposition, sputtering, atomic layer deposition or other advanced materials processing techniques.
• Familiarity with structural, morphological, optical or electrical characterisation of thin films and functional materials.
• Experience in technology development, prototype fabrication or the integration of advanced materials into devices.
• Participation in National or European collaborative research projects.
• Experience in scientific reporting, project deliverables and dissemination activities.
• Previous collaboration with industrial partners or participation in applied research and technology transfer activities.
• Experience mentoring MSc candidates and supporting junior researchers.

Personal Skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary research environments.
• Excellence
• Inclusion and Diversity
• Sustainability and Social Responsibility
• Accountability
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Innovation
• Growth Mindset

Our Benefits

• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges[1]
• Relocation support (travel expenses included)
• Guest House on-site included for the 1st month
• Private health insurance
• 30 working days of annual leave, plus 13 official holidays
• 9 days of paid sick leave per year
• Family allowance (160€/month according to family situation)
• Child allowance (200€/month for each dependent child)
• Nursery service onsite (subject to availability)
• Support for education fees of dependent children
• Support for fitness and sport expenses
• And more.

Additional Information

Application Feedback

It is important for INL to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Background Check Disclaimer

The selected candidate may be required to complete background checks as part of our R&S process. This may include criminal, educational, employment history, and other background information relevant to the employment qualifications.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics.

About INL’s Diplomatic and Legal Status

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) is an Intergovernmental Organisation established by its Member States, Portugal and Spain, under international law. As such, INL enjoys a privileged diplomatic and legal status, comparable to that of other international organisations.

This unique status is governed by the INL Statute and the Headquarters Agreement with the Portuguese Republic, which provide both INL and its employees with specific rights and obligations, including:

• Exemption from certain national laws and taxes, as outlined in the Headquarters Agreement, specifically in relation to work-related matters
• Eligibility for a diplomatic ID card issued by the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which serves as the only residency document required in Portugal for the duration of the employment contract
• Protocol obligations, including the duty to respect local regulations while exercising privileges with responsibility and discretion
• Non-application of national labour laws, as INL operates under its own legal framework and Staff Rules, approved by INL Council

INL’s legal framework is designed to support a diverse and international workforce, enabling the organisation to operate independently from its Member States, drive cutting-edge research, and foster international scientific cooperation.