11/06/2026
Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS announces an open competition in accordance with the Act No. 283/1992 Coll. on the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the Statutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences for a position Postdoctoral position Controlled surface initiated polymerization and adaptive polymer brushes.

Postdoctoral position Controlled surface initiated polymerization and adaptive polymer brushes

Department of Chemistry and Physics of Surfaces and Biointerfaces

The Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 1888/2, 162 06 Prague 6, announces, in accordance with Act No. 283/1992 Coll. on the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, as amended by Act No. 420/2005 Coll. and the Statutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, a call for applications for the position of:

Postdoctoral position

Controlled surface initiated polymerization and adaptive polymer brushes

Department of Chemistry and Physics of Surfaces and Biointerfaces

 

We invite applications for a postdoctoral position focused on the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of functional polymer brushes. The aim is to establish how polymerization conditions, surface chemistry and brush architecture govern hydration, interfacial organization, wetting and adaptation to changes in the surrounding environment.

Job description and responsibilities:

The successful candidate will conduct independent, conceptually driven research on controlled surface-initiated polymerizations, with particular emphasis on SI-ATRP and the synthesis of binary mixed and copolymer brushes. The main activities will include:

• Developing and optimizing SI-ATRP of functional (meth)acrylate and (meth)acrylamide monomers; examining how the initiator, catalyst system and solvent affect growth kinetics and retention of chain-end functionality for subsequent chain extension.
• Preparing self-assembled initiator monolayers and functional substrates; synthesizing binary mixed brushes comprising separately tethered hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains, alongside block and statistical copolymer brushes.
• Establishing relationships between composition, grafting density, chain or block length and surface segregation, morphology, swelling and accessibility of functional groups.
• Investigating surface adaptation upon exposure to water, selective solvents and temperature changes; assessing dynamic wetting, contact-angle hysteresis, restructuring kinetics, reversibility and coating stability.
• Applying these insights to switchable surfaces and coatings resistant to nonspecific adsorption, nespecifické zanešení, „self-cleaning“ and „anti-iceing“ surfaces.

The role also includes experimental design, critical interpretation of data, preparation of research publications and presentations, participation in national and international projects, and contributions to student supervision.

Experimental methods:

The research will combine synthesis and surface modification with spectroscopic ellipsometry, XPS, FTIR, AFM and contact-angle measurements. QCM-D will be used to investigate hydration. Photoinduced and RAFT-polymerization based approaches may also be explored as the research develops.

Related departmental publications:

Dorado Daza et al. Polymer 323 (2025), 128175. “Grafting-from” synthesis of fluorinated acrylamide polymer brushes: From controlled polymerization to outstanding antifouling properties

Leibauer et al. Advanced Functional Materials (2025), 2419443. Wetting of Surface Grafted Hydrophilic-b-Hydrophobic Block Copolymer Brushes

Leibauer et al. Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024), 10073. How Surface and Substrate Chemistry Affect Slide Electrification.

Requirements:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent in polymer chemistry, organic or physical chemistry, materials science or a related discipline, obtained before the starting date.
• Demonstrable practical experience in controlled radical polymerization and chemical surface modification, preferably including polymer-brush synthesis by SI-ATRP.
• Experience investigating thin polymer films using at least some of the listed surface-sensitive techniques, with the ability to interpret structure–property relationships.
• A publication record appropriate to career stage and a demonstrable scientific contribution to published research.
• Very good spoken and written English (B2 or higher), an independent and creative approach, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a team.

Desirable experience:

Experience with binary mixed or block copolymer brushes, hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer systems, synthesis of monomers or surface initiators, or studies of wetting and surface adaptation. Familiarity with RAFT or photoinduced polymerizations and assessment of resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption would also be welcome.

We offer:

• Stimulating research in an interdisciplinary team, with access to facilities for polymer synthesis and advanced surface characterization.
• Participation in national and international research projects, professional training and career development.
• Flexible working hours, five weeks of annual leave and three sick days.
• A meal allowance and on-site cafeteria; contributions to pension insurance and long-term savings schemes or a leisure benefit card.
• Subsidized language courses organized by the Czech Academy of Sciences, access to training and recreational facilities, and additional employee benefits.

Additional information:

Application deadline: 5.12.2026

Expected start date: 1.1.2027

Workload and contract duration: 100%, 1 year

Place of work: Heyrovského nám. 2, 162 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic

Scientific enquiries: Ognen Pop-Georgievski, Ph.D., Head of Department;

E-mail: georgievski@imc.cas.cz

How to apply:

Please submit a CV, a list of publications and a motivation letter briefly describing your relevant experience and research interests to the Human Resources Department, email: personalni@umch.cz, email subject: Postdoctoral position – polymer brushes, phone: +420 296 809 385

Application deadline: 12/05/2026