Postdoctoral Researcher

Reference Number: PN-IV-P6-6.1-CoEx-2024-0056

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

Position description

The successful candidate will join the research team of the project “Centre of Excellence in Water Management and the Valorization of Materials, By-products and Waste for the Implementation of the Circular Bioeconomy (CERSUS)”, funded by UEFISCDI and coordinated by “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in polymer science, biomaterials, materials engineering, environmental engineering, or a closely related field. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to the project activities in line with their scientific expertise and the project implementation plan.

The research will focus on the design, synthesis, chemical modification, processing, and physicochemical characterization of advanced polymeric materials derived from natural and synthetic polymers, as well as hybrid organic–inorganic systems. Emphasis will be placed on the valorization of natural resources through the development of functional polymeric materials for environmental and biomedical applications. A range of material architectures—including beads, micro- and nanoparticles, films, hydrogels, and fibrous materials—will be developed using sustainable processing strategies.

The researcher will contribute to material synthesis, the development and optimization of processing protocols, advanced physicochemical characterization, experimental design, data analysis, and the interpretation of results. Depending on the specific project objectives, the work may include the development and evaluation of adsorbent and other functional polymeric materials for water treatment, resource recovery and related environmental applications, as well as polymer-based systems for biomedical applications.

The position offers the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from different scientific disciplines and to engage in both fundamental and applied research. The successful candidate will also contribute to the dissemination of results through articles in peer-reviewed international journals, presentations at scientific conferences, and participation in national and international research collaborations.

The position is offered on a full-time basis for the period from October 1, 2026, to December 31, 2030.

Research fields: Materials Engineering; Polymer Science; Environmental Engineering

Where to apply

E-mail: daniela.fighir@academic.tuiasi.ro

Requirements

Research Field: Environmental science » Other

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Good written and spoken Romanian;
• Good written and spoken English;
• A PhD in Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related discipline, awarded within the eight years preceding the application deadline;
• A publication record comprising at least 8 articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, published in journals ranked in the first or second quartile (Q1 or Q2) according to the Journal Citation Reports (JCR)
• Demonstrated research experience in the synthesis, modification, processing, and physicochemical characterization of polymeric materials;
• Hands-on experience with analytical and characterization techniques relevant to polymer science, such as FTIR, NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, GPC, DSC, TGA, SEM;
• Experience in designing and conducting laboratory experiments and interpreting the resulting data;
• Ability to analyze experimental data and prepare scientific reports;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team.

Specific Requirements

The following qualifications will be considered an advantage:

• Experience in developing functional polymers, hydrogels, micro- or nanofibrous as adsorbent materials or biomaterials;
• Experience with electrospinning, freeze-drying, UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, or other relevant processing and characterization techniques;
• Knowledge of ACD/Labs software or comparable tools for data processing and interpretation;
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments (DoE);
• Experience in preparing scientific publications and research proposals;
• Previous participation in national or international research projects;
• International research experience, such as research internships, visiting fellowships, or collaborative research placements;
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
• Postdoctoral research experience and/or additional research internships.

Languages: ENGLISH Level: Good

Languages: ROMANIAN Level: Good

Research Field: Environmental science » Other

Additional Information

Selection process

Selection procedure

Stage 1 – Eligibility check and assessment of applications

Applications will first be reviewed to verify eligibility and compliance with the requirements set out in this announcement. Eligible applicants will then be assessed based on their academic background, research experience, scientific achievements, technical expertise, and the relevance of their previous work to the project objectives.

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Professional Activity Report;
• Curriculum Vitae (Europass format or equivalent)
• A complete list of publications, research projects, research mobility activities and other relevant academic achievements;
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation;
• Copy of passport or national identity card;
• Copies of Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD diplomas, together with any other relevant certificates;
• Any additional documents considered relevant to the assessment of the application.

Stage 2 – Interview

Applicants shortlisted following the assessment of applications will be invited to an interview on 7 September 2026 at 2:00 p.m., hosted by the “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection.

The interview may be conducted in person, depending on the applicant’s location. The final ranking will be based on the overall assessment of the application and the applicant’s performance at interview.

The interview will assess:

• the applicant’s scientific background and research achievements;
• technical expertise relevant to the project;
• motivation and ability to conduct independent research;
• communication skills and ability to work within an interdisciplinary research team.

Additional comments

Before appointment, the selected candidate will be required to provide all documents requested by the University in accordance with the Romanian legislation, including a medical certificate and a criminal record certificate.

Applications must be submitted by email no later than 26 August 2026 to the Project Manager Assistant, Dr Daniela Fighir, at daniela.fighir@academic.tuiasi.ro.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The results of the selection process will be officially announced on 21 September 2026 at 12:00 noon.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, “Cristofor Simionescu” Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection

Country: Romania

State/Province: Iasi

City: Iasi

Postal Code: 700050

Street: 73rd, Prof.dr.doc. Dimitrie Mangeron

Geofield

Contact

State/Province: Iasi

City: Iasi

Website: http://www.tuiasi.ro

Street: Dimitrie Mangeron 67

Postal Code: 700050

E-Mail: ionut-ovidiu.toma@academic.tuiasi.ro

ionut.ovidiu.toma@tuiasi.ro