Job details

Place of work

INSITUTE OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY PAS, Team 02, Living Materials group

Funding institution

NATIONAL SCIENCE CENTRE

Project description

Project title, type and project number

OPUS 28, 2024/55/B/ST5/02500, Controlling Reaction-Diffusion Mechanisms for Advanced SelfAssembled Architectures: Periodic Precipitation and Chemical Gardens, 52/2026

Project leader

Dr hab. Jan Paczesny

Description

The project explores innovative reaction-diffusion (RD) systems as a platform for the self-assembly of advanced materials, including hierarchical patterns and tubular architectures. It focuses on two bioinspired strategies: periodic precipitation (PP) and chemobrionic systems, which enable the construction of functional architectures from nanoparticles and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). By harnessing non-equilibrium dynamics, similar to those found in natural processes, the research addresses key scientific questions about RD-driven self-assembly while also seeking methods with practical relevance.

The first line of investigation is periodic precipitation, where controlled diffusion and reaction kinetics give rise to regularly spaced bands of precipitate, known as Liesegang rings, within porous matrices. These systems will be exploited to assemble hierarchical structures, with morphology and band spacing precisely tuned through variations in reactant concentration, matrix porosity, ionic strength, and temperature. The second direction, chemobrionic systems, focuses on the emergence of hollow tubular structures in diffusion-controlled settings. By employing nanoparticles and MOFs as the fundamental building blocks, the study aims to achieve fine control over geometry, dimensions, and material properties of the resulting architectures.

This interdisciplinary project combines expertise in materials science, chemistry, and nanotechnology. It will provide significant insights into RD systems and their potential to simplify the synthesis of complex materials, laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs in nanotechnology and materials design.

Job description

Number of vacancies

1

Key responsibilities include

• Sample preparation and tasks related to the studies on the reaction-diffusion processes in nanotechnology

• Carrying out experimental work, maintaining regular research notes.

• Taking part in and presenting at group meetings and conferences

Offer

Position in the project

Student – scholarship position

Job type

• Type of contract: temporary • Status: Other • Hours Per Week: 20

Salary

1 500PLN per month

Planned start of work in the project

1.10.2026

Planned period of contract/stipend agreement

12 months with possible extensions based on the performance

We offer

We offer a scholarship position in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a monthly stipend of 1 500PLN per monthfinanced from the OPUS 28, Project no. OPUS 28, 2024/55/B/ST5/02500. The stipend is for Błąd! Nie można odnaleźć źródła odwołania.

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 material sciences, physic and chemistry, so a broad range of candidates will find 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. Institute provides an opportunity to participate in ERASMUS+ programme.

Requirements

Scientific discipline

Material sciences, chemistry, physics

Scientific profile of a candidate

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Requirements

1. At the starting date of the work within the project, the applicant should be a student of a full-time first or second-cycle degree programme or uniform Master’s studies at a university in Poland or a participant in a doctoral programme (within the meaning of the Act on Higher Education of 27 July 2005) or a doctoral candidate at a doctoral school (within the meaning of the Act on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018) (i.e., studying, chemistry, physics or a related field).

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

3. Background in chemistry , physic , material engineering or a related field

4. Excellent in English speaking and writing.

Key assessment criteria

The recruitment committee shall evaluate the candidates’ research achievements, their researchrelated achievements and competencies as regards specific tasks in the research project, expressed as a point score:

• the candidate’s research achievements, including publications in prestigious academic press /journals (50% of the final score)

• research-related achievements, scholarships, awards and research experience gained in Poland or abroad, research workshops and training courses, participation in research projects (20% of the final score)

• the candidate’s competence to carry out specific tasks in the research project (30% of the final score)

Required documents

Complete application should include the following items:

• application letter,

• professional curriculum vitae,

• list of scientific achievements (publications, patents, conference presentations, etc.)

Recruitment procedure

• The application deadline is on the 18.09.2026 , 12:00 CEST (UTC +2:00).

Applications should be sent to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl. IMPORTANT! email subject: “Recruitment 52/2026" (emails without this number will not be considered)

• The scholarship will be awarded in accordance with the rules defined by National Science Center’s document REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING NCN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NCN-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwalyrady/2024/uchwala25_2024-zal1_ang.pdf

• Top candidates can be invited for an online or inperson interview ( 22th of September 2026). We reserve the right to contact and reply to only selected candidates.

• The incomplete applications will not be considered.

• The scholarship will be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.

• The results of the competition are made public

• The results of the recruitment are planned to be announced on the 24.09.2026.

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.

Additional information

Document confirming the status of a student or doctoral student (in accordance with the rules defined by National Science Center’s document REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING NCN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NCN-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS will be required before concluding the scholarship agreement.

For more details about the position please visit:

https://www.livingmaterials.org/

Contact person: Jan Paczesny, jpaczesny@ichf.edu.pl

Phone: +48223432071

Name of the post and its definition in the meaning of the grant documentation:

NCN scholarships may be awarded to a person who meets any of the following criteria: a) is a student of a full-time first or second-cycle degree programme or uniform Master’s studies at a university in Poland; b) is a participant in a doctoral programme (Within the meaning of the Act on Higher Education of 27 July 2005); c) is a doctoral candidate at a doctoral school (Within the meaning of the Act on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018) According to REGULATIONS FOR AWARDING NCN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NCN-FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS: https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwalyrady/2024/uchwala25_2024-zal1_ang.pdf

Deadlines

Application deadline

18.09.2026 12:00

Planned date of settlement of the competition

24.09.2026

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

Date of announcement: 9.09.2026

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