International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Careers

Research Assistant – Phonons in Ultrathin Membranes, Condensed Matter Physics and Engineering

Job Reference: Ref.19.26.448

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Sotomayor

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 36 months

Open Date for Applications: July 3rd, 2026

Closing Date for Applications: July 23rd, 2026, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #phonontransport #2Dmaterials #phononiccrystals #opticalspectroscopy

Overview

The Sotomayor Research Group carries out research in nanophononics, including nanoscale thermal transport, phononic crystals, opto-mechanics, thermoelectricity, acoustic-metamaterials, topological bosonics and NOEMS.

The group, led by Professor Sotomayor Torres is currently partner in the projects MUSICIAN (CHIST-ERA), LEIT (ERC), MAGNIFIC, NEUROPIC (EU EIC pathfinder), SPARK-e (EU EIC PAthfinder) and Champ-ION.

We are currently looking for a Research Assistant to help the group complete the three projects in the area of nanophonics. The selected candidate will also enrol in a PhD at University of Minho with two other co-supervisors at INL.

The proposal for the PhD programme will be prepared separately and shared with the selected candidate.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Carry out high-level research in the area of experimental nanoscale heat transport in 2D materials and phononic crystals, leading to publishable results.
• Implement, develop and document experimental protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Actively contribute to the group meetings and liaise with related research groups in INL.
• Contribute to meet related project reporting timelines and deliverables.
• Document experimental design and procedures in accordance with the laboratory notebook recording standards and requirements.
• Liaise with the Laboratory Responsible Person in all matters of laboratory upkeeping, compliance with health, environmental and safety HE&S regulations.
• Ensure compliance with institutional standards, including HE&S, research ethics, quality management requirements, data protection and cybersecurity.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• Master degree in Condensed Matter Physics or Nanoelectronics.

Experience and Technical Skills

• Experimental condensed matter physics methods.
• 2D materials physics and applications (e.g., transition metal dichalcogenides and gapped bilayer graphene).
• Low-temperature transport measurement techniques.
• Optical spectroscopy techniques.
• Device-relevant physics and laboratory-scale characterisation.
• Sample fabrication from thin films lab-scale device using spin-coating, electron-beam lithography, dry etching, atomic layer etching, among others.
• Implementation of polarization-resolved photoluminescence and readiness to learn inelastic light scattering and time-resolved spectroscopic methods.

Other Valued Skills

• Simulations methods.
• Advanced data analysis.
• Particle-matter interaction.
• Strong background solid-state physics, especially in semiconductors.

Personal Skills

• Strong motivation to carry out research experimental research leading to high level publications.
• Planning and resilience.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Attention to detail in ensuring accuracy, convergence, and reproducibility of experiments and/or simulations.
• Interest in cutting-edge research in nanoelectronics.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication of scientific data and research findings.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges.
• Private health insurance.
• Family allowances (according to family situation).
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability).
• Support for education fees of dependent children.
• Relocation support.
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter

b)     Curriculum Vitae

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas

d)     At least 1 reference letter

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works
 

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.