PhD Position in Autonomous Nanoscience: AI, Robotics and Plasmonic Nanoparticles
Job Vacancy
Research Field: Other
Sub Research:
Job Summary
Are you excited about combining artificial intelligence, robotics, and nanotechnology to accelerate scientific discovery? We are offering a fully funded four-year PhD position to develop a self-driving lab dedicated to designing, synthesizing, and optimizing plasmonic nanoparticles for applications in catalysis and neurotechnology (Grant: PID2025-172468NB-I00, Title: ALGOrithm-driven Nanoparticle Engineering for Thermoplasmonic Applications).
Job Description & Benefits
Description:
Our vision. We believe the future of materials discovery lies in autonomous laboratories that can design, synthesize, and test new nanomaterials with minimal human intervention. This project aims to establish a closed-loop platform that combines computational inverse design, robotic synthesis,
online characterization, and machine learning-driven optimization of plasmonic nanoparticles. Join us to build an AI-powered autonomous laboratory capable of discovering the next generation of plasmonic nanomaterials for catalysis and neurotechnology.
What will you do? The selected researcher will develop AI algorithms that autonomously propose new nanoparticle designs, develop alternative routes for plasmonic nanomaterials for catalysis and neurotechnology, generate high-quality datasets for next-generation AI models, and co-author publications in leading journals and present work internationally. In addition to acquiring hard skills in the topic, the selected predoctoral researcher will benefit from numerous meta-skill-oriented activities, including the Software Carpentry Workshop, soft skills courses, and outreach.
What will you learn and gain? The researcher will have the opportunity to participate in research activities related to artificial Intelligence for scientific discovery, machine learning and Bayesian optimization, autonomous experimentation and self-driving laboratories, colloidal nanoparticle synthesis, scientific programming and workflow automation, and research entrepreneurship and innovation. Upon completion of the PhD, candidates will be uniquely positioned for careers in AI-driven materials discovery, autonomous labs, photonics industries for health, deep-tech startups, research institutes, or academic careers.
Requirements for the position. Experience in nanoscience, chemistry, materials science, physics, computer science, machine learning or scientific programming is advantageous but not mandatory.
We are primarily looking for highly motivated candidates with strong critical and first-principles thinking and analytical skills, as well as a passion for interdisciplinary research.
Host Group. The selected candidate will join an interdisciplinary research group, Nanomaterials and Spectroscopy / ColSysChem (https://colsyschem.github.io), and will enroll in the Doctoral Program in Physics of Nanostructures and Advanced Materials at the University of the Basque Country.
Interested candidates can apply for this position by sending an email to colsyschem@gmail.com with the following information, with the subject “PhD-ALGO”:
1- An updated Curriculum Vitae
2- A cover letter with a declaration of interest.
3- Academic transcripts of your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
After initial evaluation, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed onlin
Our vision. We believe the future of materials discovery lies in autonomous laboratories that can design, synthesize, and test new nanomaterials with minimal human intervention. This project aims to establish a closed-loop platform that combines computational inverse design, robotic synthesis,
online characterization, and machine learning-driven optimization of plasmonic nanoparticles. Join us to build an AI-powered autonomous laboratory capable of discovering the next generation of plasmonic nanomaterials for catalysis and neurotechnology.
What will you do? The selected researcher will develop AI algorithms that autonomously propose new nanoparticle designs, develop alternative routes for plasmonic nanomaterials for catalysis and neurotechnology, generate high-quality datasets for next-generation AI models, and co-author publications in leading journals and present work internationally. In addition to acquiring hard skills in the topic, the selected predoctoral researcher will benefit from numerous meta-skill-oriented activities, including the Software Carpentry Workshop, soft skills courses, and outreach.
What will you learn and gain? The researcher will have the opportunity to participate in research activities related to artificial Intelligence for scientific discovery, machine learning and Bayesian optimization, autonomous experimentation and self-driving laboratories, colloidal nanoparticle synthesis, scientific programming and workflow automation, and research entrepreneurship and innovation. Upon completion of the PhD, candidates will be uniquely positioned for careers in AI-driven materials discovery, autonomous labs, photonics industries for health, deep-tech startups, research institutes, or academic careers.
Requirements for the position. Experience in nanoscience, chemistry, materials science, physics, computer science, machine learning or scientific programming is advantageous but not mandatory.
We are primarily looking for highly motivated candidates with strong critical and first-principles thinking and analytical skills, as well as a passion for interdisciplinary research.
Host Group. The selected candidate will join an interdisciplinary research group, Nanomaterials and Spectroscopy / ColSysChem (https://colsyschem.github.io), and will enroll in the Doctoral Program in Physics of Nanostructures and Advanced Materials at the University of the Basque Country.
Interested candidates can apply for this position by sending an email to colsyschem@gmail.com with the following information, with the subject “PhD-ALGO”:
1- An updated Curriculum Vitae
2- A cover letter with a declaration of interest.
3- Academic transcripts of your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
After initial evaluation, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed onlin
Benefits:
Additional details:
Job Details
Program:
No
SESAM Number:
Type of Contract:
Temporary
Profile:
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Status:
Hours/Week:
35
Company:
Centro de Fisica de Materiales
Location:
SPAIN
Organization Contact
Name:
CFM-Centro de Física de Materiales/MPC-Materials Physics Center
Type:
Other
Dept/Lab:
Address:
Manuel Lardizabal Pasealekua, 5 20018 Donostia Gipuzkoa SPAIN
Email:
Website:
Phone/Fax:
Ph: 943 018 786
Application Details
Additional Requirements
Skills
https://cfm.ehu.es/about-cfm/job-offers/
