The role:

We are seeking highly motivated candidates with a background in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and strong laboratory and analytical skills to join our research team.

The successful candidate will work on the design, performing and monitoring of laboratory experiments involving mineral reactor for hydrogen production and contribute to the development of prototype reactors with the objective to progress a new technology from TRL2 to TRL4. The role requires a solid background in chemical processes, hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and the ability to document and analyse experimental results.

The selected candidate will join the Laboratory of Mineral Self-organization and Origin of Life at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) led by Prof. Juan Manuel García-Ruiz (https://garciaruizdipc.org/) and will work in a Proof of Concept project associated to the European Research Council (ERC) Synergy project ‘PROTOS’ (101118811): "The role of silica in the dawn of life on our planet" (https://protos-erc.eu/).

Key Responsibilities:

- Plan, prepare and carry out laboratory experiments involving mineral reactants for H2 production.
- Design and optimise experimental setups, including bench-scale reactors and monitoring devices.
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment (e.g., pH meters, ion-selective probes, reactors, optical microscope tools, glove-box, fume cabinets, gases set-up, chromatographs, TPO, TPR, TPD, chemisorption measurements,…).
- Collect experimental data and preparation of samples to international collaborators for analysis.
- Collaborate with postdoctoral researchers, senior scientists and external partners.
- Ensure laboratory safety standards are met, especially when handling gases, chemicals and pressurised systems.
- Contribute to technical reports, protocols and experimental documentation.

What we offer:

- A dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment within a leading international institute and distinguished international collaborators.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and external collaborations.
- The opportunity to contribute to innovative experimental research at the frontier of chemistry and materials science.

Desired background & competences

- Degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field; postgraduate training or experience in the research and/or industry field is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience in experimental laboratory work, particularly with chemical reactants leading to H2 production.
- Experience in chemical process scale-up, reactor design, process monitoring and instrumentation.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and capacity to work independently while integrating within a multidisciplinary and international team.
- Good communication and documentation skills in English.