Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia
Doctoral Student - Inorganic Nanoparticles
Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, Villa Espana Colonia, Texas, United States
Organisation/Company Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia Research Field Chemistry Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 18 Jan 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 19 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description Description of Group/Project:
The Inorganic Nanoparticles Group at ICN2, led by Dr. Neus G. Bastús, focuses on the rational design and synthesis of advanced inorganic nanomaterials through wet-chemistry colloidal routes, enabling precise control over size, morphology, composition, and structural complexity. The group systematically integrates Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) and green chemistry principles from the earliest stages of materials development, ensuring responsible innovation across the entire materials life cycle.
Within the framework of the MAIAMI project (Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Platform for Accelerated Materials Innovation), the PhD researcher will work on the controlled wet-chemistry synthesis of advanced inorganic nanoparticles, with a particular focus on high-entropy alloy (HEA) and multimetallic systems for energy-related applications. The work will combine scalable and environmentally benign synthetic routes with advanced structural and compositional characterisation to establish clear links between synthesis parameters, nanostructure, and functional performance.
A key aspect of the PhD will be the systematic documentation and curation of experimental data in a FAIR-compliant materials database, including synthesis protocols, characterisation results, and SSbD indicators. These high-quality datasets will directly feed AI-driven optimisation workflows, enabling predictive, reproducible, and sustainable materials discovery within MAIAMI’s closed-loop experimental platform.
The position offers a highly interdisciplinary and dynamic research environment, with strong experimental training in nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation, exposure to data-driven and AI-assisted research methodologies, and access to state-of-the-art facilities at ICN2. The PhD researcher will collaborate closely with internal and external experts in materials chemistry, data science, and energy applications, benefiting from an international and collaborative research ecosystem.
Main Tasks and responsibilities The PhD student will carry out experimental research on the wet-chemistry synthesis of HEA and multimetallic nanoparticles within the MAIAMI project. The position is strongly laboratory-focused, while offering exposure to AI-driven and data-centric materials research. The main activities of the PhD will include:
Developing and optimising wet-chemistry synthesis protocols to produce nanoparticles with controlled composition, size, morphology, and structural complexity.
Performing structural, compositional, and surface characterisation using UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, XPS, and electron microscopy, with training and support from ICN2 core facilities.
Analysing how synthetic parameters affect material properties and functional performance, and interacting with machine-learning and modelling teams to translate experimental results into predictive datasets.
Preparing reproducible nanoparticle libraries for functional testing by MAIAMI partners, ensuring sample traceability, consistency, and quality control.
Recording synthesis procedures and characterisation results in a FAIR-compliant materials database for AI-assisted optimisation workflows.
Participating in the preparation of scientific publications, reports, and conference presentations, project meetings and dissemination activities.
Engaging in regular group meetings, training activities, and interdisciplinary seminars at ICN2 as part of the PhD training programme.
Education: Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Nanoscience, or a closely related discipline.
Knowledge: Solid background in inorganic chemistry and colloidal synthesis. Knowledge of spectroscopic and structural characterization techniques (e.g., XPS, TEM) will be a plus.
Professional Experience: Prior experience in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanoparticles—particularly metals—is desirable. Experience with aqueous-phase synthesis, surface functionalization, or integration of experimental data with machine learning models will be considered advantageous.
Specific Requirements
Personal Competences: Strong scientific motivation, attention to detail, and ability to work independently. Demonstrated capacity to meet deadlines and contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary, collaborative research environment. Ability to communicate and coordinate efficiently with partners from complementary fields (e.g., catalysis, spectroscopy, data science).
Salary will depend on qualifications and demonstrated experience.
Support to the relocation issues.
Life Insurance.
Work-Life Balance and Flexibility with flexible work schedules
28 holidays per year
Flexible compensation plan: tax advantagescontracting some products (health insurance, childcare, training, among others.)
2 Reference letters or referee contacts.
Applications will be reviewed continuously.
Additional comments Equal opportunities:
At ICN2 we foster an inclusive and safe work environment, free from any form of discrimination—whether based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, origin, culture, religion, disability, or any other personal or social condition. We are committed to ensuring equal treatment and opportunities in all our processes, especially in recruitment, which is based solely on talent, experience, and ability. We implement proactive policies for inclusion and harassment prevention that reinforce our commitment to respect and fairness. If you share these values and are looking to grow in an open and diverse environment, ICN2 is ready to welcome you.
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Offer Description Description of Group/Project:
The Inorganic Nanoparticles Group at ICN2, led by Dr. Neus G. Bastús, focuses on the rational design and synthesis of advanced inorganic nanomaterials through wet-chemistry colloidal routes, enabling precise control over size, morphology, composition, and structural complexity. The group systematically integrates Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) and green chemistry principles from the earliest stages of materials development, ensuring responsible innovation across the entire materials life cycle.
Within the framework of the MAIAMI project (Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Platform for Accelerated Materials Innovation), the PhD researcher will work on the controlled wet-chemistry synthesis of advanced inorganic nanoparticles, with a particular focus on high-entropy alloy (HEA) and multimetallic systems for energy-related applications. The work will combine scalable and environmentally benign synthetic routes with advanced structural and compositional characterisation to establish clear links between synthesis parameters, nanostructure, and functional performance.
A key aspect of the PhD will be the systematic documentation and curation of experimental data in a FAIR-compliant materials database, including synthesis protocols, characterisation results, and SSbD indicators. These high-quality datasets will directly feed AI-driven optimisation workflows, enabling predictive, reproducible, and sustainable materials discovery within MAIAMI’s closed-loop experimental platform.
The position offers a highly interdisciplinary and dynamic research environment, with strong experimental training in nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation, exposure to data-driven and AI-assisted research methodologies, and access to state-of-the-art facilities at ICN2. The PhD researcher will collaborate closely with internal and external experts in materials chemistry, data science, and energy applications, benefiting from an international and collaborative research ecosystem.
Main Tasks and responsibilities The PhD student will carry out experimental research on the wet-chemistry synthesis of HEA and multimetallic nanoparticles within the MAIAMI project. The position is strongly laboratory-focused, while offering exposure to AI-driven and data-centric materials research. The main activities of the PhD will include:
Developing and optimising wet-chemistry synthesis protocols to produce nanoparticles with controlled composition, size, morphology, and structural complexity.
Performing structural, compositional, and surface characterisation using UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, XPS, and electron microscopy, with training and support from ICN2 core facilities.
Analysing how synthetic parameters affect material properties and functional performance, and interacting with machine-learning and modelling teams to translate experimental results into predictive datasets.
Preparing reproducible nanoparticle libraries for functional testing by MAIAMI partners, ensuring sample traceability, consistency, and quality control.
Recording synthesis procedures and characterisation results in a FAIR-compliant materials database for AI-assisted optimisation workflows.
Participating in the preparation of scientific publications, reports, and conference presentations, project meetings and dissemination activities.
Engaging in regular group meetings, training activities, and interdisciplinary seminars at ICN2 as part of the PhD training programme.
Education: Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Nanoscience, or a closely related discipline.
Knowledge: Solid background in inorganic chemistry and colloidal synthesis. Knowledge of spectroscopic and structural characterization techniques (e.g., XPS, TEM) will be a plus.
Professional Experience: Prior experience in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanoparticles—particularly metals—is desirable. Experience with aqueous-phase synthesis, surface functionalization, or integration of experimental data with machine learning models will be considered advantageous.
Specific Requirements
Personal Competences: Strong scientific motivation, attention to detail, and ability to work independently. Demonstrated capacity to meet deadlines and contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary, collaborative research environment. Ability to communicate and coordinate efficiently with partners from complementary fields (e.g., catalysis, spectroscopy, data science).
Salary will depend on qualifications and demonstrated experience.
Support to the relocation issues.
Life Insurance.
Work-Life Balance and Flexibility with flexible work schedules
28 holidays per year
Flexible compensation plan: tax advantagescontracting some products (health insurance, childcare, training, among others.)
2 Reference letters or referee contacts.
Applications will be reviewed continuously.
Additional comments Equal opportunities:
At ICN2 we foster an inclusive and safe work environment, free from any form of discrimination—whether based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, origin, culture, religion, disability, or any other personal or social condition. We are committed to ensuring equal treatment and opportunities in all our processes, especially in recruitment, which is based solely on talent, experience, and ability. We implement proactive policies for inclusion and harassment prevention that reinforce our commitment to respect and fairness. If you share these values and are looking to grow in an open and diverse environment, ICN2 is ready to welcome you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr