Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences
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Assistant (post-doc) in the group Soft Matter Nanostructures Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poland
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
Available
Deadline
Dec 3, 2026
Country
Poland
University
Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences
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About this position
The Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for the Soft Matter Nanostructures group to work on the OPUS 30 project “Nanoengineered multilayer polyelectrolyte coatings for targeted and programmable local delivery of therapeutics”.
The project sits at the interface of microbiology, biotechnology, biomaterials, and nanomaterials. The successful candidate will investigate how functional surface coatings and nanocarriers interact with microorganisms, with a particular focus on antibacterial and antibiofilm performance. The research will combine cultivation of microorganisms, evaluation of bacterial adhesion and viability, and analysis of biofilm formation on biomaterial surfaces.
The postdoc will use microbiological and microscopic approaches to assess the efficacy of developed materials, including colony-forming unit assays, viability tests, fluorescence microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. A further part of the work is to study relationships between coating structure and physicochemical properties and their biological activity, and to contribute to the design and optimization of polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings incorporating functional nanocarriers.
The role is embedded in a collaborative project environment in which the Soft Matter Nanostructures group works alongside researchers responsible for synthesis and physicochemical characterization of the materials. The postdoctoral researcher will also evaluate the biological activity of therapeutic agents released from nanocarriers and multilayer coatings, and will help prepare reports, publications, and conference presentations.
The position is based in Krakow at the Polish Academy of Sciences institute, with a research program centered on functional materials for local therapeutic delivery and antibacterial surface technologies.
Funding details
Available
What's required
PhD or equivalent in Chemistry, Biological sciences/Biology, or Technology/Biotechnology. Required experience includes documented research experience in microbiology, biotechnology, biomaterials or related fields; practical laboratory work with microorganisms and bacterial cultivation; experience studying bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation and antibiofilm properties; knowledge of bacterial viability assays, CFU determination, antibacterial testing and biofilm analysis; basic knowledge of nanomaterials, nanoparticles and polymeric nanocapsules for drug delivery; ability to design experiments independently, perform statistical analysis and interpret results; publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations; very good written and spoken English. Preferred qualifications include at least four years of relevant research experience, experience with antibacterial/antibiofilm biomaterials or coatings, cytocompatibility and mammalian cell culture, synthesis/functionalization/characterization of nanomaterials, familiarity with Layer-by-Layer (LbL) methods and techniques such as DLS, QCM-D, SEM, AFM and UV-Vis, at least two JCR papers as first or corresponding author, and experience in research projects and/or a research internship abroad. NCN eligibility requires the PhD to have been awarded in the year of employment or within the previous 12 years (subject to allowed breaks), and mobility criteria plus restrictions on other remuneration and pension benefits.
How to apply
Submit the application electronically via https://praca.ikifp.edu.pl. Include the cover letter, PhD diploma, full CV, supervisor opinion, list of achievements, self-report, and language certificate. Applications must be submitted by 2026-12-03 03:00 pm GMT+1.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.