IMDEA Energy is opening a Research Assistant position for the Advanced Porous Materials Unit, looking for talented and motivated candidates with strong background in Chemistry and Materials Science, for mainly the evaluation of different porous materials (e.g. metal organic frameworks, MOFs and covalent organic frameworks, COFs) for the wastewater decontamination.

Contract funded by “Comunidad de Madrid” in the framework of the CMOFs4water-CM project (TEC-2024/ECO-332), through the R&D activities programme “Tecnologías 2024” (Award Order 5696/2024 of 10 December).

The requirements are as follows:

Tasks Description:

• Synthesis of porous materials with sorption and catalytic properties (e.g. MOFs, COFs) and their composite materials. employing different routes (solvothermal, microwaves, etc.).
• Full structural, physicochemical, textural and optical characterization of the obtained materials using a large panel of techniques (XRD, IR, gas sorption, TGA, UV-Vis, electronic microscopy, DLS, etc.).
• Testing separation and photocatalytic degradation of emerging organic contaminants in waters (e.g. tap water, wastewater) using different techniques (e.g. HPLC, LC-MS, IC). 
• Preparation of lab-scale prototypes working under real flow conditions (e.g. columns, membranes).
• Critical analysis of the results, regular writing of reports and elaborating presentations for active discussion with academic and industrial partners.
• Dissemination and publication of research results in scientific journals.

Compulsory Requirements:

• Official MSc in Chemistry, Materials Science, or equivalent.

Other merits to value:

• Knowledge and experience on the characterization of porous materials (e.g. XRD, fluid sorption, spectroscopies, microscopies, TGA).
• Knowledge and experience on water decontamination (separation and photocatalytic degradation)
• Collaboration capacity in multidisciplinary environments.
• Knowledge and experience in materials synthesis
• Demonstrated experience and solid background in chromatographic techniques (e.g. HPLC, LC-MS, IC)  
• Oral and written communication skills in English.
• Motivation to pursue the goals of the project.

• Adequacy of the candidate's training to the requested profile.
• Work experience related to the profile of the job position.
• Knowledge of English.
• Motivation for accomplishing high-quality research.

• Remuneration:  Between 18.000 - 20.000 € gross salary per year, depending upon qualification and expertise.

*The contract includes all the benefits of the Spanish Public Health and Social Security System.

• Duration of the contract:  Un year, possibility of renewal depending on performance.

IMDEA Energía: Móstoles, Madrid.