PhD Position on Organic Energy Materials

The Position focuses on thermal transport in semiconducting polymers, and is funded through the Severo Ochoa Program awarded to our institution (Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona, ICMAB). This initiative promotes collaboration among researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds. The current project specifically addresses the investigation of the thermal conductivity tensor in organic thin films. The main objective of this proposal is to study the thermal properties of polymers used for optoelectronic and energy applications, such as for thermoelectrics. The candidate will perform systematic studies on the chemical structure, molecular weight, sidechains, orientation etc., in order to develop a general understanding of what governs the thermal properties of these systems. The measurement of the effect of heating in operando will also be studied for several devices. Furthermore, it aims to develop the Doctoral Candidate’s scientific expertise to produce excellent research, and interdisciplinary collaboration with scientists from different fields ranging from Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Data Science. 

Roles and Responsabilities 

The main part of your work will be carried out at Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) in Barcelona, Spain, in the group of Dr. Sebastian Reparaz co-supervised by Prof. Mariano Campoy-Quiles. The project will fund the PhD salary for three years (typically the length of a PhD in Spain) and would start no later than February 2027. The PhD degree will be awarded by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) on the basis of successful completion of the research work and PhD studies. The candidate will also be required to participate in the training activities and workshops throughout the project.

Topic:  Thermal Properties of Organic Materials

This PhD research will focus on:

i) Developing thermal high-throughput screening methods for organic thin film systems to study cross-plane and in-plane thermal transport.

ii) Correlation of thermal properties with structure and morphology.

iii) Study of large datasets that will be employed to feed statistical tools and artificial intelligence models to identify correlations between structural and thermal properties.

iv) Use advanced IR imaging to visualize heat maps in in-operando optoelectronic devices.

The ideal candidate

•    The applicant should have completed at least four- or five-years education with a Master’s degree or Diploma from a recognized university in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or in a related field and should be eligible as graduate student at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, see https://www.uab.cat/en/phds/materials-science#seccio-inici for further info).

•    The applicant should show interest in conducting a research project independently and should enjoy working in an international, interdisciplinary environment.

•    The applicant should demonstrate an excellent command of the English language at a proficient level (spoken and written).

•    Experience in solution-processed organic semiconductors and their applications will be valuable. In addition, experience with spectroscopic tools would also be favorably reviewed.  International experience during Master’s or research stage/visits will also be positively considered.

The Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) aims to increase the proportion of women and therefore qualified female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. ICMAB-CSIC actively promotes diversity and equal opportunities. Applicants are not to be discriminated against in personnel selection procedures on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion or ideology, age, sexual orientation (anti-discrimination). People with disabilities and who have the relevant qualifications are expressly invited to apply.