Postdoctoral Associate

Contact Information

Organisation / Company Type: Higher Education Institution

Website: https://www.yildiz.edu.tr

Email: ersundu@yildiz.edu.tr

Postal Code: 34220

Street: Davutpaşa Mah. Davutpaşa Caddesi Esenler

Description

Keywords:

Luminescence, Glasses, Glass nanocomposites, Phosphors, Rare-earth ions, Quantum dots, Solid state lighting, Photovoltaics, Solar concentrators, Anticounterfeiting, Optical sensors

Research field:

Engineering › Materials engineering
Physics

Context:

The Glass Research Group in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul (Türkiye) is seeking a highly motivated and competitive Postdoctoral Associate under the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship program. The successful candidate will join our research team to work on projects involving luminescent materials, particularly lanthanide- and quantum dot-doped glasses. The research aims to develop novel luminescent materials for applications in optoelectronics—including LEDs, optical temperature sensors, anti-counterfeiting technologies and detectors—as well as in emerging technologies such as 3D displays and solar energy solutions, including Agri-PV, luminescent solar concentrators, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The Postdoctoral Associate is expected to conduct high-quality research and mentoring activities, including:

• Developing new ideas for adapting novel luminescent materials to emerging applications
• Synthesizing materials and performing spectroscopic characterizations
• Providing guidance and mentorship to graduate students
• Participating in other cutting-edge research projects related to optoelectronic and photonic applications

Our work spans both fundamental and applied research on a wide range of glass materials. We investigate various glass-forming systems, including silicate, borosilicate, phosphate, and phospho-silicate compositions, as well as specialized heavy metal oxide glasses such as tellurite and antimonite. These materials serve as the foundation for advancements in energy, environmental sustainability, and modern communication technologies. Our expertise lies in luminescent materials, particularly lanthanide- and quantum dot-doped glasses and glass nanocomposites. These materials have applications in optoelectronics, including LEDs, optical temperature sensors, anti-counterfeiting and detector technologies. We also explore emerging technologies such as 3D displays, solar energy solutions—including Agri-PV, luminescent solar concentrators, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Additionally, our research extends to heavy metal oxide glasses, evaluating their potential as transparent, large-bandgap semiconductors, and the development of functional thin films via sol-gel processes with thermochromic, anti-reflective, and self-cleaning properties. We also investigate radiation-shielding glasses and ultra-thin chemically strengthened glass for enhanced durability and performance. At YTU Glass Research Group, we foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where every member plays a vital role in pushing the boundaries of glass science. Our goal is to develop groundbreaking glass materials and nanocomposites with unique functionalities that address real-world challenges. Further details about the group and its research activities can be found from www.glass.yildiz.edu.tr

YTU welcomes expressions of interest from experienced Postdoc candidates to apply jointly to the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2026. YTU is one of the best research universities in Türkiye and was ranked 3 in the engineering field and has more than 300 research laboratories. YTU enjoys a well-connected international community with 400+ higher education institutions from 50+ countries all over the world, participating in 800+ international agreements offering exchange programs, academic activities, joint projects, and such. 2000+ international students, graduate, and undergraduate altogether, from 100+ countries, make YTU classrooms and laboratories a breeding ground for innovation and creativity.

Requirements

We expect the candidate to have the following requirements:

• A Ph.D. degree in Materials Science, Glass Science, Physics, or a related field
• A strong background and hands on experience in luminescent materials and glasses
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent publication record demonstrating the ability of independent research
• Advanced knowledge of scientific research methodology
• Fluency in both spoken and written English.
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Ability to work within a team context and collaborate with other lab personnel.
• Eligible for MSCA- PF funding

Eligibility criteria:

• The postdoctoral fellows must hold a doctoral degree (no longer than 8 years prior to the call deadline).
• Periods of inactivity in research (e.g., unemployment, periods of employment outside research, parental or sick leave) do not count towards the time of research experience.
• The postdoctoral fellow may be of any nationality. No age restrictions apply.
• The postdoctoral fellow cannot have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Turkey for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the call.

Pre-application procedure:

Interested applicants are invited to send the expression of interest consisting of:

• One-page Statement of Purpose (SOP) letter outlining the research area, project idea, and how he/she could contribute to the research profile of YTU Glass Research group
• An academic CV (including a publication list and all academic activities)
• Names and contact information of three references who can provide a letter of recommendation

Please send the expression of interest by August 1st, 2026 to Prof. Dr. Ali Erçin ERSUNDU (ersundu@yildiz.edu.tr).