Julio Lloret
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Postdoctoral Researcher in Self-Driving Laboratories for Sustainable Catalysis Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia in Spain
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
Available
Deadline
Sep 17, 2026
Country
Spain
University
Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia
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About this position
The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher to join Prof. Julio Lloret’s group in Tarragona, Spain. The position is funded through the project AIA2025-163492-C53 – Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Intensified Synthesis and Experimentation (RAISE) and focuses on Self-Driving Laboratories for Sustainable Catalysis.
The project combines sustainable catalysis, electrochemistry, laboratory automation, and artificial intelligence. The successful candidate will develop and deploy an adaptive self-driving laboratory for electrochemical, photoelectrochemical, and photochemical research, building on ICIQ’s AMPER platform. AMPER already integrates robotic handling, gas and liquid management, electrochemical flow cells, potentiostats, and a modular PLC/SCADA-based control layer.
The researcher will help connect agentic orchestration, automated experimentation, real-time analytics, and data-driven optimization. This includes translating experimental goals into executable protocols, managing traceable data workflows, and applying Bayesian optimization, active learning, or related machine-learning methods to select the next experiments. The platform will be validated in high-impact applications such as electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion, green hydrogen production, catalyst durability studies, and optimization of electrochemical devices.
The role is highly interdisciplinary and suits candidates with a background in chemistry, chemical engineering, electrochemistry, materials science, robotics, control engineering, automation, or data science. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to lead an independent research programme, design and run automated catalyst-discovery and optimization campaigns, improve AMPER hardware/software integration, develop instrument drivers and data pipelines, and contribute to reproducible and FAIR research practices.
Strong programming skills are important, with Python preferred. Experience with instrument communication, software engineering, PLC/SCADA, MODBUS, embedded control, or scientific data analysis will be an advantage. Applicants should also have a strong research record in electrocatalysis/electrochemistry, lab automation/robotics, or machine learning for experimental science.
ICIQ offers a full-time 3-year contract, an international and multidisciplinary working environment, flexible working hours, free parking, and a salary in the PIIP1–PIIP4 band (€28,560–€36,720) depending on qualifications and experience. The expected start date is 2 November 2026, subject to completion of the selection and administrative process.
Application deadline: 17 September 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Madrid).
How to apply: submit a CV, cover letter, research statement, and names/contact details of at least two referees via the ICIQ careers portal.
Funding details
Available
What's required
Applicants must hold a PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, Automation, Robotics, Control Engineering, Data Science or a closely related field by the contract start date. A strong research track record is required in at least one core area: electrocatalysis/electrochemistry; laboratory automation/robotics/instrument control; or machine learning for experimental science. Candidates should be able to design, execute and troubleshoot complex research workflows, have programming experience with Python strongly preferred, and ideally have experience with scientific data analysis, instrument communication or software engineering. Excellent written and spoken English is required, along with the ability to prepare publications and present research clearly. Independence, initiative, prioritization skills, and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team are expected.
How to apply
Prepare a full CV, a cover letter of up to two pages, a research statement of up to two pages, and contact details for at least two referees. Submit the application through the ICIQ careers website using the provided job link. Make sure your materials highlight relevant catalysis, automation, and AI experience.
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