4-Year PhD Scholarship (JAE-PRE) in New Materials – CSIC & University of Alcalá, Spain

Summary

The Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), CSIC–University of Oviedo–Principality of Asturias, in collaboration with the University of Alcalá (UAH), invites applications for a 4-year fully funded PhD Scholarship (JAE-PRE Programme) in the field of New Materials for Energy Applications.

The research will be jointly supervised by Pedro B. Coto and Luis Manuel Frutos Gaite. The selected candidate will contribute to cutting-edge computational and theoretical research involving electronic structure calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning for the design of advanced energy materials.

4-Year PhD Scholarship (JAE-PRE) in New Materials for Energy Applications – CSIC & University of Alcalá, Spain (2026)

Scholarship Summary

Designation

PhD Researcher (JAE-PRE Scholarship)

Research Area

• New Materials for Energy Applications
• Computational Materials Science
• Electronic Structure Theory
• Molecular Dynamics Simulations
• Machine Learning for Materials Discovery
• Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
• Energy Conversion Materials
• Nanomaterials

Location

• Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), CSIC–University of Oviedo–Principality of Asturias, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain
• University of Alcalá (UAH), Physical Chemistry Unit, Alcalá de Henares, Spain

Eligibility / Qualification

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Master’s (MSc) degree or equivalent in:
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated programming experience is required.
• Experience in computational materials modelling is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques for materials research will be considered an advantage.
• Strong motivation to pursue interdisciplinary research in computational materials and energy technologies.

Job Description

The successful PhD candidate will join an interdisciplinary research team working on the project:

“Mechanophotochemistry of Complex Systems: Theory, Computational Modeling, and Applications (PID2024-159750NB-100).”

Research responsibilities include:

• Designing novel materials for energy conversion applications.
• Performing electronic structure calculations.
• Conducting molecular dynamics simulations.
• Applying machine learning techniques for materials discovery.
• Collaborating with experimental researchers to validate computational methodologies and material performance.
• Publishing research findings in leading scientific journals and presenting results at conferences.

The selected candidate will be employed by CSIC and receive funding under the JAE-PRE Programme.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application via email with the subject line:

“PhD CSIC”

The application must include:

1. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) (75% evaluation weight).
2. Motivation/Presentation Letter describing research interests (maximum one page) (25% evaluation weight).

Applications should be sent to:

• pedro.brana@csic.es
• luisma.frutos@uah.es

Last Date to Apply

15 October 2026

Applications received after the deadline may not be considered. The selected candidate is expected to begin the PhD before 15 December 2026.