Postdoc Research Group Ibáñez

A postdoctoral position is available in the research group of Professor Maria Ibáñez at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).

Advanced electron microscopy studies of nanocrystal assembly and super crystal formation. The project aims to understand how individual nanocrystals organize, interact, and transform during the formation of ordered superstructures, combining high-resolution structural characterization with three-dimensional and, where possible, in situ electron microscopy.

Your profile

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD in Materials Science, Nanoscience, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Strong hands-on experience in advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM/STEM).
• Experience with high-resolution TEM/STEM imaging and structural analysis of nanoscale materials.
• Ability to independently design, perform, analyze, and interpret electron microscopy experiments.
• Experience in image processing and quantitative analysis of TEM/STEM data.
• Strong interest in understanding nanocrystal organization, interfaces, crystallographic orientation, and structure at the nanoscale.
• Ability to work independently while interacting closely with researchers working on nanocrystal synthesis and assembly.
• High motivation, scientific curiosity, and strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Highly desirable experience

• Electron tomography and three-dimensional reconstruction of nanostructures or nanoparticle assemblies.
• Construction and interpretation of 3D structural models from electron microscopy data.
• In situ or liquid-cell TEM, particularly for studying dynamic processes, self-assembly, or structural transformations.
• Low-dose electron microscopy and imaging of beam-sensitive materials.
• Automated or advanced image analysis, particle tracking, orientation analysis, or computational treatment of large microscopy datasets.
• Experience studying nanocrystals, colloidal nanoparticles, superlattices/supercrystals, or other self-assembled nanoscale systems.
• Experience with semiconductor nanocrystals, particularly metal chalcogenides, is an advantage.

Application documents: Please email a motivation letter and CV to Prof. Ibáñez mibanez@ista.ac.at