As a flagship research center in nanoscience and nanotechnology, our mission is to open and explore new frontiers of knowledge at the nanoscale, and bring value to society in the form of new understanding, capabilities and innovation, while inspiring and providing broad training to the next generations of researchers. Our values are Commitment, Collaboration and Transformation.

Our research lines focus on the newly-discovered physical and chemical properties that arise from the behaviour of matter at the nanoscale. ICN2 has been awarded with the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence distinction for three consecutive periods (2014-2018 and 2018-2022 and 2023-2026). ICN2 comprises 19 Research Groups, 7 Technical Development and Support Units and Facilities, and 2 Research Platforms, covering different areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Job Title: Lab Technician (FOODTRACK)

Research area or group: Nanostructured Functional Materials Group

Description of Group/Project:

This project belongs to the project call Colaboración Público-Privada (CPP), CPP2024-011402, funded by MICIU, AEI and FEDER funds. It wil be carried out through the collaboration between the Nanostructured Functional Materials (Nanosfun) Group (www.nanosfun.com) of the Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and the company ColorSensing SL.

It is a 3-year project, highly multi- and interdisciplinar and focuses on the development of  thermochromic inks for food packaging, to monitor the thermal history of the packaged food and prevent food spoilage (Title: Photoactivable irreversible thermochromic indicators for food cold chain tracking (FOODTRACK)). The project is facing one of the most important current society challenges, which is the prevention of food wasting.

The project has a highly applied focus and implies the collaboration with both academic and industrial partners.

Main Tasks and responsibilities:

The candidate research activity will be related to the FOODTRACK project, with full dedication. It is an applied research project, in collaboration with research institutes and  companies (ColorSensing). New scientific and technological knowledge will be produced, which should deliver new patents and/or scientific publications.

 The project involves:

- the organic synthesis and characterization of the chemical compounds required for the thermochromic materials.

- micro/nanostructuration of the thermochromic materials.

- Morphological and structural characterization of the micro/nanostructured materials.

- spectroscopic characterization of the thermochromic transition.

- Formulation of thermochromic inks

- Printing onto substrates with different techniques.

Besides the technical development, the project also involves:

- direct collaboration with private companies.

- preparation of samples for the delivery to partners.

- Formulations of prototypes of commercial products.

- Participation to meetings.

- Preparation of reports and protocols.

Most of work will be carried out in high confidential regime.

The hired person will be fully focused on this project, carrying on lab work, but also preparation of progress reports, protocols and presentations (internal, within the group, and external with the other partners) to share the latest results.

Requirements:

·             Education:

Degree in Chemistry, nanoscience and nanotechnology, Materials Science, and similar.

·             Knowledge and Professional Experience:

Some experience in lab work and research, especially in the synthesis and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles.

Expertise in organic synthesis.

Experience/Background in materials/polymers science.

Will to run an applied research project.

Will to work with both private and academic partners.

·             Personal Competences:     

Good spoken English.

Other skills that would be considered:

Capability to work autonomously.

Good attitude in working in a team,

Motivation and ability to overcome scientific challenges.

Used to pressure during peak activities.

Summary of conditions:

• Full time work (37,5h/week)
• Contract Length: Temporary, until the end of the project (3 years)
• Location: Bellaterra (Barcelona)
• Salary will depend on qualifications and demonstrated experience.
• Support to the relocation issues.
• Life Insurance.
• Work-Life Balance and Flexibility with flexible work schedules
• 28 holidays per year
• Flexible compensation plan: tax advantages contracting some products (health insurance, childcare, training, among others.)
• Training activities: languages, mentoring programme, wellbeing programme.
• International environment

Estimated Incorporation date: December 2025

How to apply:

All applications must be made via the ICN2 website and include the following:

1. A cover letter.
2. A full CV including contact details.
3. 2 Reference letters or referee contacts.

Applications will be reviewed continuously.

This contract is part of the project CPP2024-011402, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ FEDER, UE

Equal opportunities:

ICN2 is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities.

ICN2 is following the procedure for contract of people with disabilities according with article 59 of the Royal Decree 1/2015, of 30 of October.

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