Selection Procedures
Institute of Physics 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 Researcher in Next-Generation Aqueous Batteries.
We are currently seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to advance the fundamental understanding of charge storage, ion transport, and electrolyte-electrode interfacial processes in next-generation aqueous batteries.
Join the Nanoscale Materials and Systems (NMS) group at FZU and be at the forefront of cutting-edge battery technologies. You will be a key player in developing materials and electrolytes for sustainable and renewable aqueous batteries. The successful candidate (m/f) will engage in material synthesis, harnessing the unique physical and electrochemical properties of novel nanomaterials and electrolytes in advanced energy storage technologies. You will contribute to the development of innovative aqueous battery systems by advancing the understanding of fundamental electrochemical and interfacial processes that govern battery performance and durability.
What you will do
- Conduct experiments in the interdisciplinary area of battery research at the boundary of material science, electrochemistry, physics, and engineering
- Design, develop, and characterize next-generation aqueous electrochemical batteries
- Synthesize novel electrode materials (2D materials, transition metal oxides, and organic materials) and aqueous electrolytes
- Investigate the fundamental processes occurring at electrolyte-electrode interfaces in the battery systems, with the goal of understanding the mechanisms that control electrochemical performance, stability, and degradation
- Analyse data, maintain laboratory instruments, and implement new techniques/processes
- Foster collaboration and communication with other international partners, group members, students, and FZU staff
- Train/supervise students and other laboratory users
- Write research papers and present results at conferences
What we expect
- Ph.D. degree in physics, chemistry, or engineering
- Strong experimental background in electrochemistry and nanomaterials research
- Previous experience with electrochemical characterisation, nanomaterial fabrication, and electrochemical cell assembly
- Expertise in aqueous electrolyte formulation and characterization, including understanding of solvation chemistry, electrochemical stability, and electrode-electrolyte interactions, would be a strong advantage
- Experience with in-situ and/or ex-situ electrochemical characterization techniques for battery analysis and performance evaluation is highly beneficial
- At least 3 publications demonstrating research contributions
- Capacity to independently conduct research, develop innovative ideas, and drive projects forward
- Creative thinking and proactive problem solving
- Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse team of researchers and students
- Eager to learn and share knowledge
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent organization and time management skills
- Good knowledge of English (written and spoken)
Why join us
- Interesting work in cutting-edge research and development of new energy storage materials and devices
- Access to state-of-the-art research facilities (electrochemical characterization setups, battery testers, impedance spectroscopy, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, operando Raman spectroscopy, operando XRD, elemental analysis (XPS and EDS), advanced electron microscopy facilities (SEM and TEM), and surface analytical tools (AFM/SPM))
- A competitive salary
- Participation in multidisciplinary scientific projects
- Working in an international team and a stimulating environment
- After the first year of employment, contributions to pension and life insurance, contributions to recreation, culture, or sports
- Training and development (seminars, workshops, conferences, language courses (English, Czech, etc.) at the workplace, soft skills training)
- Support of your work-life balance – flexible work hours, work from home, extended vacations
- In-house tennis/volleyball courts, table tennis
- And many more benefits, such as a Multisport card, a meal allowance, and a kindergarten operated by the Czech Academy of Sciences
- Find out more about us - Why FZU?
It´s good to know
- Place of work: Cukrovarnická, Prague 6 – Střešovice
- Start of employment: 1st August 2026
- Full-time
- 1-year contract (possible extension up to 3 years upon mutual agreement)
- We expect applications by 30 th June 2026
Interested candidates are invited to apply by sending the following documents via the application form: A cover letter detailing career objectives and research interests, a curriculum vitae (CV) including a list of publications, two reference letters and transcripts of degrees/diplomas.
For information related to the research, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Head of the Working Group, Dr. Jiri Cervenka (cervenka@fzu.cz).
Application deadline: 06/30/2026