Engineer - Chemical Engineering (Open)

We are seeking highly motivated candidates with a background in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and strong laboratory and analytical skills to join our research team.

The successful candidate will work on the design, performing and monitoring of laboratory experiments involving mineral reactor for hydrogen production and contribute to the development of prototype reactors with the objective to progress a new technology from TRL2 to TRL4. The role requires a solid background in chemical processes, hands-on experience with laboratory instrumentation and the ability to document and analyse experimental results.

The selected candidate will join the Laboratory of Mineral Self-organization and Origin of Life at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) led by Prof. Juan Manuel García-Ruiz (https://garciaruizdipc.org/) and will work in a Proof of Concept project associated to the European Research Council (ERC) Synergy project ‘PROTOS’ (101118811): "The role of silica in the dawn of life on our planet" (https://protos-erc.eu/).

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare and carry out laboratory experiments involving mineral reactants for H2 production.
• 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, chromatographs, TPO, TPR, TPD, chemisorption measurements,…).
• 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.

What we offer:

• A dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment within a leading international institute and distinguished international collaborators.
• Being involved in a Proof of Concept (PoC) project within the framework of an ERC Synergy project.
• 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.

• 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 chemical reactants leading to H2 production.
• Experience in chemical process scale-up, 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.

• Contract duration: 1 year (possibility of extension subject to proof of concept)
• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.
• Target start date: 2026/10/19

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 successful candidate will join the MIN-H2 Proof of Concept project (GA-101335507), coordinated by the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) and linked to the ERC Synergy Project PROTOS (GA-101118811): https://protos-erc.eu/. The position will be jointly hosted by DIPC and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), where the candidate will carry out research under the supervision of Prof. María Paulis Lumbreras and Prof. Oihane Sanz Iturralde.

Prof. García-Ruiz's Laboratory of Mineral Self-organization and Origin of Life at DIPC is also involved in the ExoMars mission (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars) through the ‘Patterns on the Rocks’ project (https://garciaruizdipc.org/our-science/exomars-patterns-on-the-rocks/). Led by the European Space Agency (ESA), the ExoMars mission will send the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars to search for signs of past or present life on the Red Planet. By investigating the planet's surface and subsurface, the mission aims to uncover evidence that could reveal whether Mars once harbored conditions suitable for life.

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: 2026/34
• Application deadline: 2026/09/06
• 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-2026-POC grant MIN-H2, under GA-101335507 funded from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme