Engineer - Chemical Engineer – Experimental Chemistry (Mineral self-assembly) and Reactor Design (Open)

We are seeking a Scientist Engineer with strong laboratory and analytical skills to join our research team. The successful candidate will work on the design, execution, and monitoring of laboratory experiments involving mineral self-assembly systems and contribute to the development of prototype reactors. The role requires a solid background in chemical processes, hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and the ability to document and analyse experimental results.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare and carry out laboratory experiments involving inorganic and mineral-based systems.
• Design and optimise experimental setups, including bench-scale reactors and monitoring devices.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment (e.g., pH meters, ion-selective probes, reactors, optical microscope tools, glove-box, fume cabinets, gases set-up,…).
• Collect experimental data and preparation of samples to international collaborators for analysis.
• Collaborate with postdoctoral researchers, senior scientists and external partners.
• Ensure laboratory safety standards are met, especially when handling gases, chemicals and pressurised systems.
• Contribute to technical reports, protocols and experimental documentation.

Candidate Profile:

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field; postgraduate training or experience in the research and/or industry field is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental laboratory work, particularly with inorganic or materials chemistry.
• Skills in reactor design, process monitoring and instrumentation.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and capacity to work independently while integrating within a multidisciplinary and international team.
• Good communication and documentation skills in English.

What We Offer:

• A dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment within a leading international institute and distinguished international collaborators
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and external collaborations.
• The opportunity to contribute to innovative experimental research at the frontier of chemistry and materials science.
• Duration: 12 months with the possibility to extend the contract for at least 12 months more.
• Aproximmate gross anual salary: 34,000 €

• Contract duration: 1 year (possibility to extend up to 2 years)
• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales
• Target start date: 2025/11/10

We provide a highly stimulating research environment, and unique professional career development opportunities.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The selected candidate will join Prof. García-Ruiz’s Laboratory of Mineral Self-organization and Origin of Life at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC): https://garciaruizdipc.org/. The laboratory is engaged in several cutting-edge projects that apply the scientific method to illuminate topics as diverse as the origin of life, the search for life on Mars, the interplay between science and art and the relationship between crystals and the human mind, from hominids to the present day. The aim of these research is to explore frontiers, not only the frontiers of science itself but also those that connect different scientific disciplines and bridge science, art and the mind.

The selected candidate will work in close connection with research carried out under the ERC-funded project GA-101118811, “The role of silica in the dawn of life on our planet” (PROTOS): https://protos-erc.eu/. However, the core of the work to be carried out will be devoted to developing tasks linked to a new and pioneering research undertaken by Prof. García-Ruiz.

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV and a brief statement of interest to the following application email below. 

Reference letters are welcome but not indispensable.

The reference of the specific opening to which the candidate is applying should be stated in the subject line, and the application must be received before the application deadline.

Although candidates are welcome to contact the project supervisors to know further details about the proposed research activity, please be aware that the application will be evaluated only if it is submitted directly to the email address listed below as application email.

• Reference: 2025/64
• Application deadline: 2025/11/06
• Application email: jobs.research@dipc.org

Applications received by the deadline will be evaluated by a Committee designed by the DIPC board on the basis of the following criteria:

• CV of the candidate (40%)
• Adequacy of the candidate’s scientific background to the project (40%)
• Reference letters (10%)
• Other: Diversity in gender, race, nationality, etc. (10%)

Evaluation results will be communicated to the candidates soon after. Positions will only be filled if qualified candidates are found.

The DIPC may revoke its decision if the candidate fails to join by the appointed time, in which case the position will be awarded to the candidate with the next highest score, provided it is above 50 (out of 100).

However, the selected candidate may keep the position if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, the candidate duly justifies the reasons why he or she cannot join before the specified deadline, and as long as the project allows it.

This project has been supported by ERC-2023-SyG grant PROTOS, under GA-101118811 funded from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme