MSCA Postdoctoral fellowships in 2D materials at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague

What we offer

Successful candidates will:

• conduct their research under the supervision of the internationaly recognised group leader, prof. Zdeněk Sofer, experienced supervisor of postdocs and doctoral candidates, incl. MSCA fellows;
• be employed full-time under a standard employment contract, incl. 40-hour working week, flexible working hours, 6 weeks of vacation, meals allowance, access to in-house language courses and to institutional childcare;
• be granted a fixed budget per month covering salary (living, mobility and family allowance), health insurance and social security as well as research, training and networking cost;
• be provided qualified assistance with relocation and other formalities by experienced staff of the Welcome Office (including assistance to the family members);
• be supported in the grant administration by the Project Centre;
• work at facilities located in the city of Prague, with excellent transport connection to the city centre (3 metro stations off the Old Town) and the airport.

The fellowship lasts up to 24 months and may involve a secondment in another academic or non-academic institution. More information may be found at our website.

Who can apply

Researchers of any nationality, provided they meet the following eligibility criteria:

• (first) PhD degree obtained by 10/9/2024 (PhD thesis defended);
• maximum 8 years of full-time equivalent experience in research since the date of PhD award, not counting career breaks such as maternity/paternity leave, compulsory national service, long term sickness or years of experience outside research;
• mobility rule – the researcher must have not resided or carried out his/her main activity in the Czech Republic for more than 12 months in the period 11/9/2021 – 11/9/2024.

Any doubts regarding eligibility may be consulted via anna.konecka@vscht.cz.

How to apply

Researchers interested to prepare the MSCA PF project proposal are invited to provide the following to anna.konecka@vscht.cz, zdenek.sofer@vscht.cz and research.sofergroup@gmail.com, by 30 April 2024:

1. detailed structured CV, preferably in the MSCA PF format (download template here)
2. scan of PhD diploma or details regarding the expected date of thesis defence (in English);
3. outline of the research going beyond state-of-the-art, max. 500 words, focusing on one of the topics below and describing your motivation to work with the host supervisor in Prague:

2D materials for application in energy storage and electrocatalysis: Exploration of novel 2D materials and composites for batteries and supercapacitor applications.

2D materials for functional electronics and optoelectronics: Exploration of various 2D materials for development of novel devices including photodetectors, transistors, memristor and other electronic and optoelectronic devices including printed electronic. Fundamental physics of 2D materials.

2D materials in catalysis and electrocatalysis: Development of novel 2D materials for application in chemical catalysis and electrocatalysis/photoelectrocatalysis, including water splitting, nitrogen reduction, carbon dioxide reduction and other important catalytic and electrocatalytic processes.

Candidates accepted by the supervisor will be invited to start the proposal preparation in view of the submission by the 11 September deadline and will benefit from:

• consultation of the research topic and methodology with the supervisor;
• guidance through call rules and proposal instructions
• online sessions on the proposal drafting (May – July)
• proof-reading and feedback to draft proposal (Part B)
• administrative check of the proposal (Part A)
• assistance with the proposal creation and submission via the Funding Portal.

About UCT Prague

The University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (UCT) is one of the largest Central European educational and research centres performing cutting-edge research in chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food science, environmental studies, and related disciplines. Remarkably, of the more than 4,000 students, ca. 750 are enrolled in doctoral programs. UCT collaborates with more than 100 academic institutions worldwide, is active in industrial R&D and technology transfer.