IMDEA Energy is opening a Research Assistant position for the Photoactivated Processes Unit, looking for talented and motivated candidates to work on the Synthesis and characterization of organic and hybrid photoelectrodes for solar-driven production of high-value chemicals”, within the framework of the 2025 Call for Grants for «Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento» and actions for the training of predoctoral research personnel associated with these projects, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.

The selected candidate will actively contribute to the development of advanced hybrid photoanodes and CPP-functionalized Cu cathodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications.

The requirements are as follows:

Tasks Description:

• Synthesis of Conjugated Porous Polymers (CPPs) via electropolymerization and mini-emulsion/microfluidic techniques, using monomers such as BODIPY, BOPHY, phenanthrenequinone, and triphenylamine derivatives.
• Preparation of inorganic photoelectrodes based on hematite (α-Fe2O3), maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), and other metal oxides via solvothermal synthesis, electrodeposition, and colloidal synthesis.
• Fabrication of CPP-inorganic hybrid photoanodes and CPP-functionalized Cu cathodes through spin-coating, drop-casting, and electrodeposition techniques.
• Characterization of structural, optical, morphological, and optoelectronic properties of synthesized materials using techniques such as XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, UV-Vis, and Raman spectroscopy.
• Photoelectrochemical evaluation of electrodes in half-cell configurations under simulated solar illumination, including LSV, chronoamperometry, and EIS measurements.

Compulsory Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field.

Other merits to value:

• Experience in synthesis of organic polymers (e.g., conjugated polymers, porous polymers) and/or inorganic nanomaterials (metal oxides).
• Knowledge of thin-film deposition techniques (spin-coating, electrodeposition, etc.).
• Experience in general characterization techniques (XRD, SEM, UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, etc.).
• Knowledge of electrochemical and photoelectrochemical measurements.
• Oral and written communication skills in English.
• Teamwork skills and motivation for high-quality research.

• 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 19.000€ – 21.000€ per year, depending upon qualification and expertise.

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

• Contract: 1 year

IMDEA Energía, Móstoles, Madrid