Job Information
Organisation/Company: University of A Coruña Research Field: Physics Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Positions: Postdoc Positions Application Deadline: 18 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country: Spain Type of Contract: Permanent Job Status: Full-time Hours Per Week: 35 Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number: 2026/CP/218 Is the Job related to staff position…
within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
Research Area*: 029 (Determination of the solid-state microstructure in semiconductor polymers)
Grant Reference: 101086805 (ERC Consolidator Grant PARACRYST) - Martín Pérez, J.
Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
PERÍODO AYUDA: INICIO: 01/01/2024 FIN: 31/12/2028
Centre of Principal Researcher: CITENI
JOB LOCATION AND SCHEDULE: Center for Naval and Industrial Technologies Research (CITENI). Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
SCHEDULE OF FUNCTIONS FOR THE HIRING OF RESEARCH STAFF UNDER RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC LINES
ESTIMATED TIME FOR THE EXECUTION OF FUNCTIONS: 1 year
Experimental research and technical implementation of WP3: Leading the study of the degradation of Bulk Heterojunctions (BHJs) and evaluating the long-term stability of organic solar cells (OSCs) (Tasks 3.1 and 3.2 of the DoA).
01/10/2026 30/09/2027
Advanced microstructural characterization: Operation and analysis using advanced analytical techniques (GISAXS, GIWAXS, TEM, SCLC experiments) to correlate the evolution of semiparacrystalline (SPC) morphology with device aging.
01/10/2026 30/09/2027
Research data management (RRI and Open Science): Responsible for the generation, processing, and curation of WP3’s photovoltaic datasets, ensuring their indexing in the Zenodo repository in accordance with the project’s ERC Data Management Plan (DMP).
01/10/2026 30/09/2027
Scientific Dissemination and Exploitation: Preparation of scientific manuscripts for publication in high-impact, JCR-indexed journals and presentation of results at international conferences in the field of organic electronics.
01/10/2026 30/09/2027
Technical Mentoring and Scientific Support: Supporting the Principal Investigator (Dr. Jaime Martín) in mechanical characterization tasks.
01/10/2026 30/09/2027
JOB DUTIES:
The researcher hired will conduct postdoctoral research within the Polymers Group at the University of A Coruña (UDC), under the supervision of Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Jaime Martín. In particular, the researcher will carry out the experimental and analytical tasks outlined in Work Package 3 (WP3: Degradation of BHJs comprising the SPC microstructure) of the ERC-CoG PARACRYST project (Grant Agreement 101086805).
Specific tasks include:
- Study of the interrelationship between the semi-paracrystalline (SPC) microstructure and the nanomorphology of donor-acceptor (BHJ) blends using techniques such as GISAXS and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (Task 3.1).
- Evaluation of the degradation and aging of simple OSC devices, correlating the temporal evolution of SPC parameters with morphological changes and photovoltaic characteristics using accelerated lifetime testing (Task 3.2).
- Application of the acquired knowledge to develop manufacturing guidelines for organic solar cells with high long-term stability using high-performance polymers and non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) (Task 3.3).
JUSTIFICATION OF THE CONTRACT DURATION
The contract will be strictly tied to the performance of the scientific and technical tasks described in WP3 of the original ERC-CoG PARACRYST project proposal approved by the European Commission.
The estimated duration for completing these tasks is approximately 12 months, as stipulated in the resource allocation (staff effort) section of Annex 1 of the Grant Agreement.
Where to apply
Website: https://sede.udc.gal/services/electronic_board/EXP2026/008881
Requirements
Research Field: Physics
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
PhD
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
SELECTION CRITERIA
The qualifications claimed by applicants must be supported by documentation and must be met by the application deadline, in accordance with the principles of the European Commission’s Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
- Academic Record and Degrees (Up to 20 points) To obtain the maximum score in this section, excellence in the academic record for the Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and specializations within the Master’s and Doctoral degrees will be taken into account.
- A maximum of 5 points will be awarded based on the grade point average (GPA) of the Bachelor’s degree, weighted proportionally between 0 (0 points) and 10 (5 points).
- A maximum of 10 points will be awarded based on the grade point average of the Master’s degree transcript, weighted proportionally between 0 (0 points) and 10 (10 points).
- If the Master’s degree includes modules in Solar Cell Physics, Thin-Film Photovoltaic Technologies, and Industrial Photovoltaic Technologies, 2.5 points will be awarded.
- If the doctoral degree specializes in Chemical Sciences or Chemical Engineering, 2.5 points will be awarded.
- Specific research experience (Up to 25 points): Demonstrable experience in the fabrication and characterization of organic solar cells (OSCs) in line with the requirements of the PARACRYST project will be evaluated. To achieve the maximum score, applicants must demonstrate a research track record of at least 2.5 years (5 points for every 6 months) dedicated to studying the stability of these solar cells and the correlation between their morphological evolution and photovoltaic performance through accelerated life testing, in accordance with the PARACRYST project’s research objectives.
- Scientific Output (Up to 15 points) Articles published in JCR-indexed journals related to organic semiconductors and photovoltaic energy will be evaluated. Each article published as first or second author will contribute 5 points, up to a maximum of 10 points. An additional 5 points will be awarded if the selected publications demonstrate the optimization of organic solar cells using green solvents and/or other non-halogenated additives following pre-industrial-scale processes.
- Participation as a presenter at international conferences (Up to 5 points) Contributions as a presenter at international conferences will be evaluated. Oral presentations will be awarded 2 points each, and poster presentations will be awarded 0.5 points each (up to a maximum of 1 point).
- Advanced Technical Knowledge (Up to 10 points) Technical experience in solution-based thin-film fabrication methodologies using (pre-)industrial methods, as well as knowledge of certain techniques critical to the PARACRYST project, will be evaluated. Specifically, points will be awarded according to the scale detailed below to candidates who demonstrate advanced proficiency in:
- Doctor blading or blade coating under ambient conditions. (2 points)
- Inkjet printing (IJP) with validated results demonstrating the transfer of processes from the laboratory to pre-industrial scale. (2 points)
- Encapsulation of organic solar cells. (2 points)
- Accelerated stability/degradation testing. (1 point)
- Contact angle measurements. (1 point)
- Basic analysis of AFM images. (1 point)
- Basic analysis of GIWAXS diffractograms (linecuts). (1 point)
- Knowledge of English (Up to 5 points) The level of language proficiency will be evaluated. To receive the maximum score, a C1 level or higher must be demonstrated through official international certifications (IELTS Academic with a score of ≥ 7.0 or equivalent), given that English is the working language of the project.
- Personal interview (Up to 20 points) Conducted with candidates who exceed the 50-point threshold in the previous phases. Technical suitability to lead the WP3 tasks and alignment with the scientific objectives of the PARACRYST project will be evaluated.
Technical Note on the Procedure: The process will generate a reserve list of candidates who score at least 50 points on the pre-interview assessment. All claimed qualifications must be substantiated with reliable supporting documentation.
Selection process
APPLICATION PROCESS
WHERE TO APPLY: UDC online services site.
Applications should be addressed to the Office of the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Transference, and include the call reference.
DEADLINE: 5 working days from the day following the publication of the call on the official bulletin board of the UDC online services site
SELECTION COMMITTEE (minimum 3 members and 3 reserves): Presidente: Jaime Martín Pérez (Profesor-Oportunius), Secretario: María Belén Montero Rodríguez (TIT-UN), Vocal: MariaJosé Abad López (CAT-UN). Suplentes: Ana Isabel Ares Pernas (TIT-UN), Maite Rico Varela (TIT-UN), Rebeca Bouza Padín (TIT-UN).
PLACE OF PUBLICATION OF RESULTS: Official bulletin board of the UDC online services site
Additional comments
General required documentation:
- Copy of national identity document or passport
- Copy of degree certificate in Spanish or English. If obtained outside the European Union it must be apostilled or legalised by the Spanish Embassy.
- CV in English or Spanish/Galician
- Responsible declaration that the requirements of the call are fulfilled.
- Responsible declaration of the veracity of the data stated in the application
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Center for Naval and Industrial Technologies CITENI
Country: Spain
Contact
State/Province: A Coruña
City: A Coruña
Website: https://www.udc.es/
Street: A Maestranza 9
Postal Code: 15071
E-Mail: vit@udc.es