Organisation/Company Universitat de Barcelona Department Organisation profile Research Field Chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 6 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number PID NB-C22 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The importance of oxide nanoparticles spans from fundamental astronomy (e.g. nanosilicate dust particles) to applied catalysis (e.g. photoactive TiO2 and electroactive IrO2 nanoparticles). Across these fields understanding the detailed structure and chemistry of these nanospecies is paramount for determining their properties and how they interact with their environment.The project will aim to simulate a range of realistic oxide nanoparticles with sizes from a few 10s of atoms to several 1000s of atoms. In each case, machine learned interatomic potentials (MLIPs) will be developed to describe their structure and chemical interactions. Of particular interest will be to develop accurate MLIPs that can describe the finite temperature dynamics of the particles and their vibrational spectral response, to better correlate the project results with experimental/observational results (e.g. infrared spectra).

Experience in general optimization and machine learning interatomic potentials would be highly valued for this project.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages CATALAN Level Excellent

Languages SPANISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

A full-time work contract (37.5 hrs/week). The researcher will have the possibility to participate in teaching activities for professional development (not obligatory, though).

Eligibility criteria





A specific committee will evaluate the applications using the following criteria:

- Grade point average of the academic transcripts from the applicant's bachelor's or master's degree studies (or 1st and 2nd cycle): up to 5 points out of a total of 10.
- Curricular merits: up to 1 point out of a total of 10 in accordance with the specific criteria listed in Annex 1.
- Suitability for the tasks to be performed within the framework of the research project or research support position to which the successful candidate will be attached: up to 4 points out of a total of 10.

Selection process

The specific committee will agree upon an award proposal and draw up a prioritized shortlist of candidates who have achieved a minimum of five pointsor declare the call for applications null and void if none of the applicants reach the minimum score.

The award proposal will be published in the UB's electronic office and must include the total scores of the candidates that have received a total of at least five points.

Application Process

According to the specific requirements and selection criteria, the candidates are expected to provide at least the following documents:

- Full CV
- BSc and MSc academic transcripts

Additional comments

The candidate proposed for hiring must accept the job offer within 5 working days from the date of notification of the selection.

Be aware that the starting date sets in this offer is an estimate date. The official starting date will depend on the time necessary for administration to prepare the labour contract and present the necessary documents for the selected candidate to be hired.

Priority will be given to people with disabilities (Law 89/2015 of June 2, reserve of quota 2% in favour of people with disabilities in companies of 50 or more people).

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry Country Spain State/Province Barcelona City Barcelona Postal Code 08028 Street Carrer Martí i Franqués, 1-11 Geofield

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📌 PhD candidate in modelling realistic oxide nanoparticles using machine learning based simulations_31082026_31) (España)
🏢 Universitat De Barcelona
📍 España