Summary
The Casadevall Lab at Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) is seeking a highly motivated and ambitious Postdoctoral Researcher to join the team under the prestigious ERC Starting Grant BIOPOLE (ERC-2025-STG): Bioinspired Photocatalytic Polymersomes for Photocatalytic Applications. The position is fully funded for two years and centers on pioneering advanced microfluidic platforms to fabricate and assemble functional polymeric vesicles (polymersomes) that mimic natural photosynthetic membranes for sustainable solar fuel production.
ERC-Funded Postdoctoral Researcher in Microfluidics for Artificial Photosynthesis
Position Overview
| Attribute | Details |
| Designation | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Funding Agency / Grant | European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant – BIOPOLE) |
| Institution | Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) |
| Department | Department of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry |
| Duration / Type | Full-time, 2-Year Fixed-Term (Fully Funded) |
| Location | Sescelades Campus (Buildings N4 & N5), Tarragona, Spain |
| Application Deadline | August 31, 2026 |
Designation
- Postdoctoral Researcher (ERC Starting Grant Project: BIOPOLE)
Research Area
- Interdisciplinary Sciences: Microfluidics, Soft Matter Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, Vesicle Engineering / Polymersomes, Molecular Catalysis, and Artificial Photosynthesis.
Location
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV)Department of Physical and Inorganic ChemistrySescelades Campus (Buildings N4 and N5)Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
Eligibility / Qualification
Required Qualifications:
- Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Nanoscience, Chemical Biology, Soft Matter, Nanotechnology, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Core Technical Expertise (Essential): Demonstrated hands-on expertise in microfluidic technologies for the production and assembly of polymersomes, liposomes, and soft vesicular systems.
- Device Fabrication: Proven experience in designing, fabricating, and operating microfluidic devices for the controlled generation of soft materials.
- Emulsion Systems: Extensive experience with double-emulsion droplet microfluidics (experience with automated systems is a strong asset).
- Vesicular Assembly: Solid understanding of polymersome self-assembly, vesicle engineering, and the physicochemical mechanisms behind compartmentalized architectures.
- Characterization Techniques: Hands-on experience with:
- Optical, fluorescence, and confocal laser scanning microscopy.
- Cryo-TEM, TEM, and/or SEM.
- Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), and Zeta potential.
- SAXS/SANS and fluorescence spectroscopy.
- Image analysis software (ImageJ/Fiji or equivalent).
Desirable Assets:
- Background in amphiphilic block copolymer synthesis and self-assembly.
- Experience embedding molecular catalysts, enzymes, or nanoparticles into vesicle membranes or lumens.
- Prior exposure to photochemistry, photocatalysis, or solar fuel conversion.
- Experience with molecular complex synthesis and spectroscopic analysis (NMR, UV–Vis, FT-IR).
- Minimum B2 level proficiency in English (written and oral).
Job Description & Responsibilities
- Microfluidic Platform Development: Design, optimize, and operate microfluidic platforms to reproducibly fabricate functional polymersomes with defined sizes, membrane compositions, and high encapsulation efficiencies.
- Artificial Photosynthesis Reactors: Assemble compartmentalized photocatalytic reactors that mimic biological photosynthetic membranes, linking structure and spatial organization to photocatalytic performance.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with synthetic and photochemistry teams developing molecular photocatalysts, photosensitizers, and electron-transfer relays.
- Mentorship & Lab Operations: Assist in the day-to-day supervision and mentoring of MSc and PhD students; establish standardized operating protocols for vesicle synthesis and characterization.
- Dissemination: Analyze data, draft high-impact peer-reviewed manuscripts, present findings at international conferences, and assist with research proposals.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application by email to:
- Dr. Carla Casadevall:
carla.casadevall@urv.cat - Cc:
marina.diazr@urv.cat
Application Package:
- Cover Letter (detailing research interests, relevant microfluidic experience, and motivation)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Full List of Publications
- Contact details of two academic referees
Please use the following email subject line: Postdoc_Microfluidics
Last Date for Apply
- August 31, 2026
