Special recruitment for a PhD student – scholarship holder (M/F) in the research project: "Smart multicomponent catalysts for CO₂ valorization"

16 Mar 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research Polish Academy of Sciences

Department

Division of Biomedical Physicochemistry

Research Field

Chemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Application Deadline

7 Apr 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw)

Country

Poland

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 May 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Doctoral School of Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (DS of ILT&SR PAS) announces a special recruitment for a PhD student– scholarship holder (M/F) in the research project: "Smart multicomponent catalysts for CO₂ valorization", carried out on behalf of the National Science Center (grant no. 2023/51/D/ST4/00339) in the Division of Nanomaterials Chemistry and Catalysis of the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of Polish Academy of Sciences in Wroclaw. 

Recruitment is conducted in accordance with the Rules of Recruitment to the Doctoral School of ILT&SR PAS 

https://phd.intibs.pl/files/dokumenty_EN/25-04-29-Zasady_rekrutacji_SD_INTiBS_PAN_en.pdf  

Description of the research project and the PhD thesis

The proposed doctoral project addresses the pressing global issue of mitigating atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, focusing on its thermochemical conversion to valuable chemicals such as alcohols or hydrocarbons. Given the inherent thermodynamic stability of CO₂ and the persistent limitations of current catalytic systems (including poor selectivity and rapid deactivation) the development of efficient, selective, and stable catalysts remains a major scientific and technological challenge.

The central aim of the project is to design and synthesize a new generation of nanostructured heterogeneous catalysts featuring a hierarchical architecture, tailored explicitly for CO₂ hydrogenation. These catalysts will be based on alumina supports with controlled morphology, grafted with ceria nanoparticles doped with catalytically active metals. The chemical composition, size, and distribution of the active phase particles on the support will be meticulously engineered to optimize the catalysts’ activity, selectivity, and long-term stability. A key innovation lies in the incorporation of self-regenerative functionalities within the active phase, which are expected to enhance catalyst durability under reaction conditions.

To elucidate structure–activity relationships, the obtained materials will be in-depth characterized using advanced techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and gas adsorption-based methods. Particular emphasis will be placed on the use of in situ/operando techniques (e.g., in situ DRIFTS, in situ TEM), which enable the monitoring of the structural and chemical evolution of catalysts under real reaction conditions.

Doctoral Student Responsibilities

Implementation of an individual research plan, consistent with the research project;

Synthesis of hierarchical catalysts with designed morphology and structure;

Comprehensive characterization of synthesized materials using ex situ and in situ/operando methods;

Analysis and interpretation of obtained data;

Preparing reports and publications in collaboration with other members of the research team;

Presenting the results at scientific conferences.

Keywords: heterogeneous catalysis, hierarchical catalysts, carbon dioxide hydrogenation, smart nanomaterials, thermally programmed methods, electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), in situ/operando methods

Where to apply

E-mail

phd@intibs.pl

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Specific Requirements

The application should include a filled application form at the link  https://phd.intibs.pl/files/dokumenty_EN/application_form_eng.docx  and presented in Polish or English:

• diplomas: secondary school leaving certificate or upper secondary school leaving certificate; bachelor's (engineering) and master's degree, or a diploma of completion of integrated master's studies certifying the acquisition of a master's degree in chemistry, materials engineering, or related fields. The original document of the diploma (paper version) must be submitted before taking the oath (this is a prerequisite for starting the program),

[in the case of candidates with exceptional academic achievements who do not meet this requirement: (1) a copy of the first-cycle degree or third-year of uniform master's degree diploma and (2) an application to the School Council for admission to the recruitment process, including a description of documented academic achievements of the highest quality],         
Important: If you obtained your master's degree outside the European Union, you must additionally provide an apostille or authentication (legalization) of the originals of both your master's degree diploma and its supplement with grades by the diplomatic representation of the Republic of Poland (in the country where it was obtained). Documents submitted without the appropriate authentication will be considered as not meeting the formal requirements. 

• a duplicate (certified copy) of the entire grade book/Transcript of Records of the first- and second-cycle program (or full-cycle Master’s degree program), or a supplement to the degree with grades from the entire course of study, or a student’s (M/F) grading report from all years of their studies confirmed by the Dean’s Office, together with the calculated average grade from their studies;
• a certificate of English-language skills at B2 level or higher or information in the diploma supplement that the candidate completed an English course at the required level as part of the university program (if the supplement does not describe the level of the course, a certificate from the Dean’s Office is required;
• a cover letter with an indication of the research topics within the framework of the research project;
• additional documents proving the candidate's suitability for scientific work (list of publications and conference presentations, list of completed courses and postgraduate studies, obtained language certificates, activity in scientific circles, etc.).

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Selection process

Joining the competition

Candidates wishing to enter the competition should submit all documents specified in the Rules of Recruitment to the Doctoral School of Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

https://phd.intibs.pl/files/dokumenty_EN/25-04-29-Zasady_rekrutacji_SD_INTiBS_PAN_en.pdf  

Candidates' applications for admission to the School must be submitted by 7th April 2026.

a) by email to the address phd@intibs.pl (preferred method of application); however, the original documents should be delivered before the studies start (a failure to meet this requirement will result in the candidate’s name being removed from the list of doctoral students),

b) in person at the School’s Secretariat Office at the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 2 Okólna St. in Wrocław, from 9 am to 3 pm

Additional comments

Scholarship

The doctoral scholarship will be paid a maximum of 4 years in the monthly amount of:

• 5000 PLN (the amount will be reduced by the cost of mandatory social security contributions, etc., about 24%) until the month in which the doctoral student's mid-term evaluation at the doctoral school was conducted
• 6500 PLN (the amount will be reduced by the cost of mandatory social security contributions, etc., about 24%) after the month in which the student's mid-term evaluation at doctoral school was conducted with positive result. 

The scholarship amount will not be lower than specified in the Law on Higher Education and Science and applicable executive regulations.

The scholarship will be paid after deduction of all components, in accordance with the applicable regulations and in accordance with the Act of 20 July 2018 Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2024.10.24; 1571).

Additional information

For additional information, please contact the project manager Dr. Karolina Ledwa (e-mail: k.ledwa@intibs.pl ).

Personal information

Candidates' personal data are collected and processed by the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research of Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław in accordance with the information on personal data processing available at https://bip.intibs.pl/artykuly/rodo-1

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, PAS

Country

Poland

State/Province

Dolnośląskie

City

Wrocław

Postal Code

50-422

Street

ul. Okólna 2

Geofield

Contact

City

Wrocław

Website

https://www.intibs.pl/en/

Street

ul. Okólna 2

Postal Code

50-422

STATUS: EXPIRED

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