Academic Researcher II in the Field of Plasma Physics, Plasma-chemistry and Nanotechnologies

Department: Department of Physical Electronics  – Faculty of Science
Deadline: 22 Apr 2022
Start date: by agreement
Job type: full-time
Job field: Science and research

Dean of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University announces an open competition for the position Academic Researcher II in the field of Plasma physics, Plasma-chemistry and Nanotechnologies

Workplace: Department of Physical Electronics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic
Type of Contract: temporary position with contract till 30 09 2023 (with possible extension), academic position
Working Hours: full-time employment of 40 hours per week
Expected Start Date: negotiable with respect to immigration timelines for non EU candidates
Number of Open Positions: 1
Application Deadline: 22 04 2022
EU Researcher Profile : R2

About the Workplace

Masaryk University  is the second-largest university in the Czech Republic with ten faculties, more than 5000 staff, and more than 30 000 students.

Faculty of Science  MU, a proud holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award  by the European Commission, is a research-oriented faculty, offering university education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs) closely linked to both primary and applied research and high school teaching of the following sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth sciences. We are the most productive scientific unit of the Masaryk University generating around 40 % of MU research results.

Department of Physical Electronics  at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University provides courses and guarantees fundamental and applied research in the fields on plasma physics, plasma applications, and nanotechnology. It has a tradition of more than 50 years. The R&D Centre for Low-cost Plasma and Nanotechnology Surface Modifications CEPLANT  was established in 2010 as part of the Department of Physical Electronics and was funded by the European Structural Funds and has been recognized by the European Union as a Key Enabling Technologies (KET's) centre.

Job Description

The researcher will work within the research group Plasma Nanotechnology and Bioapplications (PNB; https://plasma.sci.muni.cz/en), which is part of ÚFE. The main activities of the group are the development of plasma sources operating at atmospheric pressure, their optimization, diagnostics of generated plasma, innovation and customization for surface treatment of materials such as nonwovens, nanofibers prepared by electrospinning, rigid and flexible polymers, wood, metals, semiconductors, glass, etc. used in a wide range of industries. Recently, PNB began research into the plasma modification of highly porous materials and aerogel oxide (GO) nanocomposites. The group also operates in the field of plasma agriculture and plasma biodecontamination.

The researcher will be engaged in the plasma treatments of a wide range of materials at atmospheric pressure and the reduction of graphene oxide nanocomposites using various tools for surface diagnostics. The research work will also focus on the functionalization of materials, thin films, and particular GO and plasma/reduced GO composites and their complex analyses and testing for prospective applications. In the case of the transfer of knowledge into practice, it is possible to assume the cooperation of the researcher with industrial partners in the form of contract research.

Key Duties:

• Planning and realization of experiments aimed at optimizing, understanding, and explaining plasma-chemical processes during the interaction of atmospheric plasma with the surface of the exposed material, leading to the required surface changes
• Participation in the research projects of the PNB group or involvement in the solution of interdisciplinary projects of other research groups at the DPE
• Preparation of new project applications following the research direction of the PNB group on current scientific topics
• Involvement in contract research carried out within the PNB group
• Publication of results in current scientific journals
• Presentation of research results at international conferences, symposia and workshops
• Leading the students and supervision their final theses

Skills and Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Plasma Physics
• Experience with the design and realization of experiments according to the research plan
• Experience in leading research projects and contract research
• Experience with various atmospheric plasma sources, development, and optimization (dielectric barrier discharges an advantage)
• Experience with plasma surface functionalization of materials
• Experience with deposition of thin and ultra-thin layers and their modification and functionalization by physical, chemical and plasma-chemical methods (plasma curing, hardening, Atomic Layer Deposition advantage)
• Experience with methods for the analysis of surface properties of materials
• Good knowledge of English (verbal and written)
• Experience and working contacts gained during foreign research internships are welcome
• Publishing activities in international journals with an impact factor
• The candidate must be able to work independently on the assigned tasks and formulate their solutions, cooperate with other members of the PNB group and members of other research groups at ÚFE and assist students in their research work
• Active and positive approach to work
• Good knowledge of MS Office tools
• Knowledge of software tools for processing and analysis of measured data
• Independence, reliability, flexibility, communicativeness, pleasant attitude

Informal inquiries about the position can be sent to Assoc. Prof. Dusan Kovacik, PhD., email: [email protected], phone +420 549 49 3787.

We Offer

• An interesting job in a dynamically-expanding university area
• Flexible working hours and occasional home office to support personal needs in family and career compatibility
• Employee benefits such as 8 weeks of paid vacation per year, pension insurance contribution, a financial meal allowance, lunches in canteens of MU, Multisport card, vaccinations free of charge, discounted language courses, university cinema discount, exclusive mobile tariff offer by Vodafone, childcare group-Campus
• Opportunity to work and live in a modern and dynamic city  (for more information on costs of living, you can refer to Numbeo )
• International Staff Office  provides support with your relocation to Brno

Application Process

The application shall be submitted online by 22 April 2022 via an e-application, please find the reference to the e-application in the beginning and end of the advertisement.

The candidate shall provide following:

• CV
• Cover letter describing candidate's research interest and experience
• Summary of research outputs and publications
• Names and contact details of at least 2 references

After submitting your application successfully, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from jobs.muni.cz .

Selection Process

Received applications will be considered carefully in line with principles of the EU Charter and Code for Researchers . Selection criteria: (i) meeting qualification requirements described above, (ii) all required documents provided.

If we do not contact you within 10 working days after the application deadline at the latest, it means that we have shortlisted other candidates meeting the position requirements.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a personal or online interview.

The Faculty Recruitment Policy (OTM-R) can be seen here .

Faculty of Science, Masaryk University is an equal opportunity employer. We support diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Visit our Career page .

We are looking forward to hearing from you!