Junior Fellow – Development of covalent organic framework composites…

Junior Fellow – Development of covalent organic framework composites for Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing application

Job Reference:Ref.11.22.52

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Water Quality

Number of Vacancies:1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration:16months

Open Date for Applications:November 28th, 2022

Closing Date for Applications:December 28th, 2022, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words:#covalent organic frameworks, #surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), #hybrid materials, #adsorption, #materials synthesis and #characterization

Overview

The Water Quality RG is dedicated toovercome some of the most challenging issues in water environment making responsible use of original applied research on environmental nanotechnologies. We are looking for a qualified junior fellow to join our team to develop high-performance covalent organic framework composites. The research will entail precise synthesis of highly crystalline covalent organic frameworks embedding plasmonic nanoparticles (such as gold nanoparticles) and their full characterization. The developed materials will be evaluated for the Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based sensing of biotoxins in water.The research will be developed under the project ATLANTICLAM – BRINGEURO-NATIVECLAMSPECIESFROM ‘FARM TO FORK’, funded by the EEA grants Blue Growth Programme. The successful candidate will work on the task 2.2 – Development of new portable biotoxins’ tests to use at open sea farm of the SR&TD project,

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Synthesis and characterization of plasmonic nanoparticles.

• Synthesis and characterization of covalent organic frameworks and building blocks thereof.

• Preparation and characterization of covalent organic framework-plasmonic nanoparticles composites.

• Evaluation of the efficiency of SERS detection of biotoxins using the developed composites and their performance in real matrix.

MandatoryQualifications

Education

• Master degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Materials Science or similar.

Experience and Technical Skills

• Expertise and/or knowledge in organic/nanomaterials chemistry or related.

• Experience in organic/nanomaterials synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials.

• Experience with materials characterization techniques (e.g. UV-VIS, DLS, zeta potential, XRD, FTIR, N2 physisorption, electron microscopies (TEM, SEM), Raman).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master degree in organic chemistry or nanotechnology

• Experience in surface-enhanced Raman scattering will be positively evaluated.
• Experience in microdroplets and microfluidics (fabrication) technologies will be positively evaluated.

Personal Skills

• “Hands-on” approach together with a high commitment in respecting working deadlines;

• Problem Solvingability;

• Customerorientation;

• Ability to work independently and as team player;

• Good communication skills.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;

• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;

• Private health insurance;

• Family allowances (according to family situation);

• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);

• Support for education fees of dependent children;

• Relocation support;

• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include thefollowingmandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas.

Online application instructions:

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works
 

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats:video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL ( http://www.inl.int ), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.