Post-doctoral position - Recruitment No 7/2024

16 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences

Department

Team 21 Spectroscopic and microscopic (STM/AFM) studies of intermolecular interactions

Research Field

Chemistry » Applied chemistry
Chemistry » Heterogeneous catalysis
Chemistry » Instrumental analysis
Chemistry » Instrumental techniques
Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Chemistry » Reaction mechanisms and dynamics
Chemistry » Structural chemistry
Engineering » Chemical engineering

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Poland

Application Deadline

10 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 May 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

Recruitment No 7/2024

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Post-doc position available in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS within National Science Center (NSC) Opus 24 Project No. 2022/47/B/ST5/03077 entitled “High-Performance Nano-Structural Electrode Materials for Li-S battery”

(leader Dr hab. Piotr Pieta, prof. IChF PAN)

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage systems due to their high theoretical energy density (2600 Wh kg-1), low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, the problems related to the electrode processes at the cathode of these batteries, namely the dissolution of the polysulfides (LiPSs) and the shuttle issues, cause a severe deterioration in efficiency, hindering their practical use. The present project aims to investigate multi-functional materials that can firmly trap LiPSs and accelerate the kinetics of the LiPSs redox reaction. Our strategy will be constructing an interconnected 3D network with high porosity built of a well-conducting skeleton with surface-immobilized active sites for effective trapping and converting LiPSs to Li2S.

The electrocatalytic properties of these nanostructured materials, tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), multi-cycling galvanostatic charging/discharging, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), will be correlated with (i) AFM imaging in PeakForceQNM and Kelvin probe mode, and (ii) microgravimetric measurements using electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). Additionally, DFT calculations will support the experimental studies explaining structure-reactivity correlation in Li-S batteries.

The post-doc is expected to independently design, plan, and conduct experiments. In addition, he/she will oversee the work of the PhD student.

Responsibilities:

- to prepare electrodes modified with a suitable catalyst and conduct electrochemical tests for a three- and two-electrode system.

- to analyze and explain the effect of redox processes on the morphology, mechanical properties, and stability of the catalysts studied.

- to fabricate a prototype Li-S battery.

- to manage the project's tasks for its successful completion

- to disseminate research results at project meetings, in peer-reviewed journals, and at international conferences.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry » Applied chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Heterogeneous catalysis

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Instrumental analysis

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Instrumental techniques

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Reaction mechanisms and dynamics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Structural chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Engineering » Chemical engineering

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Ph.D. degree in chemical or physical sciences, obtained in the year of employment in the project or within 7 years before 1 January of the year of employment in the project. For researchers with multiple PhDs, the date of the first PhD award is deemed the reference date. The extension might apply according to the National Science Centre, Poland, rules.

Specific Requirements

• Publication record and experience in research.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a group.
• Skills in fabricating electrodes for electrochemical study in three- and two-electrode system.
• Experience in electrochemical studies.
• Experience in EQCM and AFM study will be appreciated.
• The candidate should demonstrate good experimental skills in handling electrodes and a good understanding of electrode processes.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English (written and spoken).
• Strong motivation to work and solve scientific problems, creativity, and analytical thinking.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

ChemistryEngineering

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer a post-doctoral position (full-time employment) in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a gross salary of around 9650 PLN per month financed from the NCN OPUS 24 Project No. 2022/47/B/ST5/03077 . 100% of the work time of the Postdoc will be devoted to the realization of the proposed project. The offer is for 12 months with possible extensions.

The selected candidate will gain experience and knowledge in the preparation and testing of materials for Li-S battery electrodes. The project involves electrocatalysis, nanotechnology, material science, and physical chemistry.

The successful candidate will be eligible for all programs at the IPC PAS, including the IPC PAS Young Scientists competition and the IPC PAS Young Scientists Mobility competition.

The institute provides an opportunity to participate in the ERASMUS+ programme.

Eligibility criteria

Candidate needs to meet formal requirements:

 

their PhD degree has been awarded by another institution than the one planned to employ them at this post or they have completed a continuous and evidenced post-doctoral fellowship of at least 10 months in another institution than the host institution for the project and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred a PhD degree

when the remuneration is paid, they will be receiving no remuneration from the funds allocated as direct costs under research projects funded in NCN calls;

when the remuneration is paid, they will be receiving no remuneration from another employer pursuant to an employment contract, including an employer with registered office outside of Poland; and

when the remuneration is paid, they will be receiving no pension under the social insurance scheme

they did not have the principal investigator as their research supervisor or auxiliary supervisor of their PhD dissertation;

 

A post-doc type post is a full-time post, scheduled by the project’s principal investigator for a person who has been conferred a PhD degree in the year of employment in the project or within 7 years before 1 January of the year of employment in the project. For researchers with multiple PhDs, the date of the first PhD award is deemed the reference date. This period may be extended by a time of long-term (in excess of 90 days) documented sick leaves or rehabilitation leaves granted on account of being unfit to work. In addition, the period may be extended by the number of months of a child care leave granted pursuant to the Labour Code and in the case of women, by 18 months for every child born or adopted, whichever manner of accounting for career breaks is preferable

Selection process

The Recruitment Commission will take into account the following criteria:

competencies for specific tasks in the research project

knowledge of electrochemistry

previous scientific achievements

awards and distinctions resulting from the conducted research.

 

Complete application should include the following items:

• employment application;
• professional curriculum vitae;
• a list of scientific achievements (publications, patents, conference presentations and research projects);
• PhD certificate or other document confirming PhD degree;
• letter of intent;
• at least one letter of recommendation written by academics

 

The application deadline is on March 10, 2024, 23:00.

• Top candidates can be invited for an online or in-person interview. We reserve the right to contact and reply to only selected candidates.

• The position will be offered to the person with the highest evaluation by the Recruitment Committee.

• The results of the recruitment are planned to be announced on April 1, 2024.

 

• Employment will take place in accordance with the provisions of the competition documentation of the National Science Center (NSC) for the Opus 24

https://www.ncn.gov.pl/en/ogloszenia/konkursy/opus24  and Employment policy of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS https://ichf.edu.pl/files/csr/ipc-procedures.pdf

• The incomplete applications may not be considered.

• The results of the competition are made public.

• Candidates who have been issued a negative opinion by the Competition Committee or candidates not selected for employment have the right to appeal against the results of the evaluation. The appeal shall be lodged with the Director of the Institute within 7 days from the date of receipt of the appropriate information. The decision of the Director of the Institute shall be final.

• If the top candidate does not sign the contract due to the resignation, we reserve the right to choose the next candidate from the ranking list.

Additional comments

The complete application should be sent to [email protected] under the reference title “Recruitment no. 7/2024” (emails without this number will not be considered!).

Envisaged Job Starting Date: 01.05.2024 (can be negotiated and adjusted).

 

 

By submitting the application, you consent to the processing of your personal data in the recruitment process.

The controller of your personal data is the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Warsaw, NIP: 5250008755 (the "Institute"). The Institute will process your data for the purpose of carrying out scientific and research activities, providing services and contact with the Institute, on the basis of a contract (in connection with the performance of the contract or in order to take action on your request before the contract is concluded – Article 6, paragraph 1, letter b) of GDPR), the legitimate interest of the Institute (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f) of the GDPR) and legal provisions (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter c) of the GDPR) - depending on the circumstances.

You have the right to: request access to your data, receive a copy of it; rectify (correct) it; delete it; limit its processing; transfer it; lodge a complaint to the supervisory body; withdraw your consent for processing at any time (withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to its withdrawal) or to lodge an objection to data processing. More information is available on the Institute's website.

https://ichf.edu.pl/theme/ichf/pliki/RODO_klauzula_informacyjna.pdf

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institute of Physical Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences

Country

Poland

City

Warsaw

Postal Code

01-224

Street

Kasprzaka 44/52

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Warsaw

Website

https://ichf.edu.pl/en/job

Street

Warsaw, Kasprzaka 44/52

Postal Code

PL-01-224

E-Mail

[email protected]

Phone

+48 22 343 3217

STATUS: EXPIRED