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The research goal of our Project is to devise and fabricate alternated donor-acceptor-donor type ambipolar polymer semiconductor-based electrodes, with different nanostructures, suitable for application as electroactive materials for electrodes of electrochemical capacitors, so-called supercapacitors. Ambipolarity means electroactivity at both negative and positive potentials. Within the preparation of structurally tuned ambipolar polymers, naphthalene bisimide (NBI) units (electroactive at negative potentials) will be symmetrically core functionalized with two different electron donor units (electroactive at positive potentials).

It is expected that rational design and tuning of ambipolar semiconductor polymers' structure and nanostructure will affect the long-lasting performance of these functional materials, as well as it will introduce the desired high operation voltage into the supercapacitor device. We hope that these materials will be promising in ensuring the high performance of the supercapacitor devices in terms of energy density and power density, as well as energy transport to the desired location with minimal loss for molecular electronics. Hence, studies of their spectroscopic properties in situ under the applied voltage conditions will be essential for understanding and improving their energy transport and stability properties.

By fabricating and then analyzing ambipolar polymer-based electrodes featuring different molecular structures, we will select those of electrodes characteristic of the highest stability and electroactivity range. The proposed research objective involves gaining control over the distinctly prepared molecular structures of ambipolar polymer semiconductors' properties by studying their properties by UV-vis-NIR and Raman spectroelectrochemistry, as well as electrochemistry.

A PhD student or student would be involved in the electrosynthesis of differently structured ambipolar polymers (electrodeposited under distinct conditions on different substrates), their spectroelectrochemical and electrochemical characterization, as well as SEM imaging.

With the emphasis on absorption and Raman spectroscopy coupled with in situ electrochemical measurements.

We offer a scholarship position in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a monthly stipend of 5.000,00 PLN financed from the NCN Sonata 17 Project No. 2021/43/D/ST5/01929, The offer is for 10  months (with a possible extension).

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

The successful candidate will be eligible for all programs at the IPC PAS, including the IPC PAS Young Scientists competition and the IPC PAS Young Scientists Mobility competition.

The institute provides an opportunity to participate in the ERASMUS+ program.

• Experience in spectroscopy (with the emphasis on Raman and  UV-vis-NIR), electrochemistry, and SEM microscopy.
• Not a PhD holder.
• Status of a PhD student in physics, chemistry or a similar field.

NCN scholarships may be awarded to individuals who are not PhD holders and meet any of the following criteria:

a) be students of full-time first or second-cycle degree programs or uniform Master’s studies at any university in Poland;

b) participate in doctoral programs (Pursuant to the Act on Higher Education of 27 July 2005);

c) are PhD students at a doctoral school (Pursuant to the Act on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018).

The scholarship committee evaluates the candidate's scientific achievements, their accomplishments resulting from conducting scientific research, and their competencies for carrying out specific tasks within the research project on a point-based scale:

• Scientific achievements of the candidate, including publications in renowned scientific journals/publishers
• Accomplishments resulting from conducting scientific research, scholarships, awards, and scientific experience gained domestically or abroad, scientific workshops and training, participation in research projects
• Competencies for carrying out specific tasks within the research project