KSN 2/2026
Assistant (postdoc)
Application deadlineMarch 23, 2026 15:00 GMT+1
Announcement overview
The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow announces a competition for the position of Assistant (postdoc) in the group Soft Matter Nanostructures for the implementation of the project OPUS 23 P.WARSZYŃSKI (UMO-2022/45/B/ST4/01184).
The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions set out in the Act on the Polish Academy of Sciences of 30 April 2010 (Journal of Laws 2020, item 1796, as amended), Article 89, Section 4.
The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions set out in the Act on the Polish Academy of Sciences of 30 April 2010 (Journal of Laws 2020, item 1796, as amended), Article 89, Section 4.
Responsibilities
The candidate will participate in the research conducted in the Soft Matter Nanostructures group on multifunctional surfactants within the OPUS 23 research project "New generation of multi-charge surfactants with dedicated functionality". The project concerns the development of the scientific basis for a novel strategy for the design and manufacture of new multi-charge surfactants with dedicated functionality and the evaluation of their suitability. Particular emphasis is placed on the research hypothesis that it is necessary to establish a link between the molecular architecture of the surfactant and the resulting structures, since the structural parameters and interfacial behavior of multi-charge surfactants, are essential for understanding their adsorption and aggregation properties and a variety of potential applications. The use of molecular dynamics methods combined with an approach based on thermodynamic models of the adsorption of multi-molecular surfactants will allow the interpretation of some experimentally observed phenomena and provide a basis for the development of new materials for selected applications.
In particular, the responsibilities of the applicant(s) will include:
- determination of adsorption properties of multi-loading surfactants;
- determination of physicochemical properties of polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes;
- synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles using multi-charge surfactants;
- analysis of properties of magnetic surfactants;
- preparation of scientific publications.
In particular, the responsibilities of the applicant(s) will include:
- determination of adsorption properties of multi-loading surfactants;
- determination of physicochemical properties of polyelectrolyte/surfactant complexes;
- synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles using multi-charge surfactants;
- analysis of properties of magnetic surfactants;
- preparation of scientific publications.
Education level
The candidate(s) should have a doctoral degree in the discipline of chemistry, chemical engineering or related disciplines.
Skills
- Ph.D. degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or related field;
- Knowledge of surfactant characterization methods;
- Knowledge of methods for characterization of surfactant adsorption;
- Knowledge of methods of synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles;
- knowledge of the English language;
- ability to work independently in research;
- the candidate must meet the requirements specified in the NCN regulations governing the post-doc position in the OPUS competition (edition 22)*.
*The post-doc contract is reserved for a person who obtained his/her doctoral degree in the year of employment in the project or within 7 years before the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended by documented breaks related to, for example, maternity, parental periods or long-term illness - in accordance with the rules set forth in the NCN regulations.
A person may not be employed as a post-doc in the same entity where he/she obtained his/her doctoral degree, unless he/she meets the additional condition of a continuous and documented post-doctoral internship (min. 10 months) in another entity and another country.
In addition, during the period of drawing a salary, a person employed as a post-doc may not draw other remuneration from funds granted as direct costs from research projects financed under NCN competitions, nor will he or she draw remuneration from another employer under an employment contract, including an employer based outside Poland.
- Knowledge of surfactant characterization methods;
- Knowledge of methods for characterization of surfactant adsorption;
- Knowledge of methods of synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles;
- knowledge of the English language;
- ability to work independently in research;
- the candidate must meet the requirements specified in the NCN regulations governing the post-doc position in the OPUS competition (edition 22)*.
*The post-doc contract is reserved for a person who obtained his/her doctoral degree in the year of employment in the project or within 7 years before the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended by documented breaks related to, for example, maternity, parental periods or long-term illness - in accordance with the rules set forth in the NCN regulations.
A person may not be employed as a post-doc in the same entity where he/she obtained his/her doctoral degree, unless he/she meets the additional condition of a continuous and documented post-doctoral internship (min. 10 months) in another entity and another country.
In addition, during the period of drawing a salary, a person employed as a post-doc may not draw other remuneration from funds granted as direct costs from research projects financed under NCN competitions, nor will he or she draw remuneration from another employer under an employment contract, including an employer based outside Poland.
Keywords
Multifunctional surfactants, adsorption, aggregation, nanostructures, polyelectrolyte complexes
Required languages
- English (B2)
Research scope
- Chemistry>Surface Chemistry
Qualification criteria
| Criterion | Points from | Points to | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Having the status of a first or second degree student/student ( | 0.00 | 10.00 | 5.00 |
| Knowledge of methods of surfactant characterization and how to describe surfactant adsorption | 0.00 | 5.00 | 2.00 |
| Knowledge of methods of synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles | 0.00 | 5.00 | 3.00 |
Required documents
- employment application
- copy of the diploma conferring the doctoral degree
- full curriculum vitae
- at least one reference letter for the candidate
- list of scientific achievements
- self-report
Additional information
The Institute is adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. The Institute does not provide accommodation.
The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, honored by the European Commission with the HR Excellence in Research Award in recognition of its ongoing commitment to implementing the principles of the European Charter for Researchers (ECR) and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (CCER), fully supports and applies a policy of open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R). The Institute fully supports and applies the principles of the OTM-R policy as one of the pillars of ECR ​ ​and CCER and one of the key elements of the HR Strategy (HRS4R).
The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, honored by the European Commission with the HR Excellence in Research Award in recognition of its ongoing commitment to implementing the principles of the European Charter for Researchers (ECR) and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (CCER), fully supports and applies a policy of open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R). The Institute fully supports and applies the principles of the OTM-R policy as one of the pillars of ECR ​ ​and CCER and one of the key elements of the HR Strategy (HRS4R).
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