Job details

Recruitment result
Place of work

Team 2 LIVING MATERIALS, INSITUTE OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY PAS

Funding institution

NATIONAL SCIENCE CENTRE, POLAND

Project description

Project title, type and project number

National Science Centre, Poland, OPUS Project No. 2019/35/B/ST5/03229 entitled “Dynamic and responsive Langmuir-Blodgett films”, 12/2023

Project leader

Dr hab. Jan Paczesny, prof. IChF

Description

The limitation of equilibrium self-assembly (ESA) is that for a given set of thermodynamic parameters, the system will evolve to the equilibrium state at which it will persist – that is, ESA evolves components into stable, ordered structures, of which crystals are perhaps most representative. On the other hand, thermodynamic equilibrium conditions preclude self-assembly at steady states, at which order is maintained at the cost of externally delivered energy (which is, in part, dissipated to produce entropy). All organisms consume and dissipate externally delivered energy (in food or radiation) to power their internal operation and maintain order. Moreover, depending on the incoming energy flux, these organisms can reconfigure to perform different functions. These properties illustrate the promise of self-assembly outside of equilibrium – the so-called dynamic self-assembly, DySA – to create life-like, reconfigurable, and “intelligent” materials and systems. The study of DySA is a relatively new area of research, with the name itself proposed only in the 2000 Nature paper by Grzybowski, Stone, and Whitesides. However, DySA in Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films remains an unexplored field having several publications on the topic. Dynamic changes within Langmuir films directly at the air/water interface are usually imposed only due to mechanical compression. Adding a new layer of complexity to the system might open new applications for these well-established methods.

The project concerns designing and synthesizing stimuli-responsive materials that can create the DySA system at the air-water interphase. Further, the physicochemical properties of such created films will be measured under various external stimuli such as electromagnetic field, temperature, light, etc.

Job description

Number of vacancies

1

Key responsibilities include

Post doc will be involved in the realization of synthesizing and characterizing organic molecules of desired properties and nanostructures with different morphologies and sizes. It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to perform experiments independently, plan the workflow and participate in the decision-making process. He/she will also be involved in the realization of experiments using Langmuir-Blodgett and complementary techniques. Primary responsibilities are as follow:

Responsibilities:

  • Designing, planning, and carrying out experimental work independently, maintaining regular research notes.
  • Scientific initiative and contribution through regular reporting and publishing, as well as presenting at group meetings, national and international conferences;
  • Providing help and supervision to junior members of the group;
  • Contribution to the efficient functioning of the lab, including necessary administrative and organizational tasks.
Offer

Position in the project

Postdoc

Job type

• Type of contract: temporary • Status: full-time employment • Hours Per Week: 40

Salary

Around 8000 PLN gross

Position starts on

1.06.2023

Maximum planned period of contract/stipend agreement

12 months with a possible extension to 18 months.

We offer

We offer a post-doctoral position (full-time employment) in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a gross salary of around 8000 PLN per month financed from the NCN OPUS Project No. 2019/35/B/ST5/03229. 100% of the work time of Postdoc will be devoted to the realization of the proposed project.

Career development prospects at IPC PAS

The successful candidate will benefit in the form of new knowledge and methods added to his/her toolbox. The project deals with nanotechnology, physics, material sciences, and physical chemistry, so a broad range of candidates will find new knowledge to be gained upon the realization of the project.

We plan to publish the results of the work in high-impact factor journals.

The successful candidate will be able to take advantage of all programs in the IPC PAS, including Young Scientists of IPC PAS competition and Mobility of Young Scientists of IPC PAS competition.

Institute provides an opportunity to participate in ERASMUS+ programme.

More details

see website
Requirements

Scientific discipline

Chemistry, physics, nanotechnology, material science, or similar fields.

Scientific profile of a candidate

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Requirements

1.  PhD degree in chemical or physical sciences, obtained no earlier than 7 years before the starting year of employment in the project (this period might be longer in the case of women due to family reasons (according to NCN rules)).

2.  Publication record and rich scientific experience.

3.  Ability to work independently as well as in a group.

4.  Knowledge of the synthesis and characterization of nanostructures.

5.  Ability to communicate fluently in English (written and spoken).

6.  Strong motivation to work and pursue scientific questions, creativity, and analytical thinking.

7.  Research experience in related fields will be advantageous.

Key assessment criteria

The Commission will take into account the following criteria:

a) competencies of candidates for specific tasks in a research project,

b) previous scientific achievements of candidates,

c) awards and distinctions of the candidate resulting from the conducted research.

The commission evaluates applications on a point scale.

Required documents
  • employment application,
  • professional curriculum vitae,
  • university degree diploma,
  • PhD certificate,
  • a list of scientific achievements (publications, patents, conference presentations, etc.),
  • at least one letter of recommendation written by academics.
Recruitment procedure

• Complete application should include the following items: employment application, professional curriculum vitae, university degree diploma, PhD certificate, a list of scientific achievements (publications, patents, conference presentations, etc.), and at least one letter of recommendation written by academics. The application deadline is on the 7th of April, 2023.

• Top candidates will be invited for an online or in-person interview (between the 11th and 14th of April 2023). Good command of English is required. We reserve the right to contact and reply to only selected candidates.

• A position will be offered to the person who obtains the highest number of points.

• The results of the recruitment will be announced on the 21st of April 2023.

• Employment will take place in accordance with the Employment policy of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS https://ichf.edu.pl/files/csr/ipc-procedures.pdf and the provisions of the competition documentation of the National Science Center (NSC) for the OPUS 18 https://www.ncn.gov.pl/ogloszenia/konkursy/opus18 .

• The incomplete applications will 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.

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

Additional information

Candidate needs to meet formal requirements:

a) at the time of employment, he/she do not receive any other remuneration from the NCN funds in any form;

b) the project manager was not a supervisor / auxiliary supervisor in his/her doctoral thesis;

c) during the period of employment, he/she does not receive any other remuneration based on an employment contract with any employer (also applies to an employer having its registered office outside the territory of the Republic of Poland)

How to Apply: Send application directly to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl;

IMPORTANT! email subject: “Recruitment no. 12/2023”

Deadlines

Application deadline

7.04.2023 23:00

Deadline for the settlement of the competition

21.04.2023

Archival announcement. We would like to thank all candidates for their submitted applications.

Date of announcement: 13.03.2023

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