Job Information
- Organisation/Company: CIC energiGUNE
- Department: Modelling and Computational Simulation
- Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 20 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
- Country: Spain
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Full-time
- Offer Starting Date: 1 Nov 2026
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Horizon Europe - MSCA
Offer Description
Objective
The objective of the project is to understand how solid–solid interfaces in next-generation batteries evolve under operating conditions, and how this evolution affects ion transport, degradation, and safety. The doctoral candidate will use quantum-mechanical simulations, complemented by advanced machine-learned potentials, to model how charge, atoms, ions, and defects move across buried electrode–electrolyte interfaces that are difficult to access experimentally. The work will be carried out in close interaction with other partners, ensuring that experimental and theoretical results iteratively inform each other.
Expected results
(1) A microscopic picture of ion dynamics and interfacial reactions under operating conditions, including the formation and evolution of interphases.
(2) Identification of key reaction pathways, intermediates, and kinetic bottlenecks that limit interfacial stability and ionic conductivity.
(3) Design principles and computational tools to support the development of safer, longer-lasting solid-state batteries.
Where to apply
Website: https://cicenergigune.com/en/employment-opportunities
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Master's degree in physics, chemistry, materials science or similar.
- Excellent communication and writing skills, thorough command of the English language.
- High motivation to undertake a PhD in an interdisciplinary experimental research environment.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of an international, multi-disciplinary team.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
From atom to device
CIC energiGUNE lead research in materials and systems for thermal and electrochemical energy storage, applying the results in the market and contributing to the competitiveness of companies.
The selected candidate will be required to enroll in a PhD program at the University of the Basque Country.
Main supervisor: Prof. Javier Carrasco (CICE, https://cicenergigune.com/en/javier-carrasco-rodriguez)
Co-supervisor: Prof. Hegoi Manzano (UPV/EHU, https://ekoizpen-zientifikoa.ehu.eus/investigadores/129775/detalle)
Co-supervisors from secondments:
Prof. Elena Akhmatskaya (BCAM, https://www.bcamath.org/es/node/10512),
Prof. Nadja Tarakina (INM, https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/innovative-elektronenmikroskopie/).
The Doctoral Candidate will stay 3 months at BCAM (Prof. Elena Akhmatskaya), Bilbao, Spain and 3 months at INM (Prof. Nadja Tarakina), Saarbruecken, Germany.
The salary will comply with the rules of the 2025 MSCA Doctoral Network program under Horizon Europe and consists of:
- a living allowance (country correction coefficient applies),
- a mobility allowance (€710/month),
- and, if applicable, a family allowance (€660/month).
All amounts are subject to national taxation and social security regulations.
- Social Security coverage
- Training, Networking and secondment opportunities
- Career Development plan
The position is funded for 36 months under the MSCA Doctoral Network. The total contract duration is 36 months.
Start date: from 01.11.2026 but not later than 01.04.2027
Type of contract: Full-time employment contract in accordance with national regulations
Hours per week: Full time
The knowledge of Spanish is a plus but not a requirement as English is the official language at CIC energiGUNE.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment and must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
Eligibility will be verified at the time of recruitment.
Selection process
Applicants must submit
- CV (including a detailed description of residence and main activities over the last 3 years)
- Motivation letter
- Copies of academic degrees
- Contact details of 3 referees
Application deadline: 20.09.2026
Recruitment will follow the MSCA Doctoral Network principles of:
- Open, transparent and merit-based selection
- Equal opportunities and non-discrimination
- Evaluation by a qualified selection committee
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews. The selection process will be properly documented in accordance with MSCA requirements. The selection process ends once the candidate is selected.
More details about the position, application procedure and recruitment can be found on the e-ChemIn webpage (www.e-chemin-dn.eu).
CIC energiGUNE is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. Therefore, as part of our commitment to inclusion, we welcome applications regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age.
This will receive funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 101311389.
Additional comments
The e-ChemIn network brings 12 academic and 6 industrial partners from 9 countries formed an international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral team. 15 Doctoral candidates will enjoy a multi-disciplinary and international environment with plenty of training opportunities and exchange with all labs involved in the Network.
The doctoral candidates will be hired in one of the following institutions/organisations:
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (DC1);
- Leibniz Institute for New Materials (DC2, DC3, DC15);
- Stockholm University (DC4, DC13);
- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (DC5);
- CIC energiGUNE (DC6, DC7);
- VSB Technical University of Ostrava (DC8);
- Royal Institute of Technology (DC9);
- Leiden University (DC10);
- University of Liverpool (DC11);
- University of Trieste (DC12);
- MONOLITHOS Catalysts and Recycling Ltd. (DC14)
Scientific background
The climate targets set by the EU with the goal of climate neutrality by 2050 require a transformation of all sectors of the economy towards the use of renewables-based electricity, calling for joined forces between EU countries in order to achieve a more resilient energy system. In the e-ChemIn we are united by the idea of applying a new paradigm in designing energy devices, which shifts the current approach of creating individual materials towards engineering electrochemically ACTIVE MATERIALS INTERFACES.
Working together we will
1) design multiple sets of electrochemical interfaces using renewable, abundant, and circular materials and optimize them for new generations of energy conversion and storage devices. Created lab-scale prototypes which outperform characteristics of current benchmarks and will be ready for further developments at high TRLs (5-9);
2) develop multimodal approaches for the characterization of interfaces operando at the nanoscale, providing unprecedented insights into interfaces in action and making the characterization of active interfaces accessible to the broader scientific community;
3) successfully establish processes for the recovery of critical raw materials from end-of-life devices and apply them at the industrial scale.
JOIN OUR NETWORK!
Website for additional job details: https://cicenergigune.com/en/employment-opportunities
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: CIC energiGUNE
Country: Spain
State/Province: Álava
City: Vitoria-Gasteiz
Postal Code: 01510
Street: Albert Einstein Kalea 48
Contact
State/Province: Álava
City: Vitoria-Gasteiz
Website: https://cicenergigune.com/en
Street: Albert Einstein Kalea 48
Postal Code: 01510
E-Mail: jcarrasco@cicenergigune.com
Phone: +34945297108