Engineered Living Materials Interfaces – post-doc position available
The InnoRenew CoE is seeking a well-qualified and highly motivated individual to support research within the Materials department in the Engineered Living Materials (ELM) laboratory. In the ELM laboratory, we work at the intersection of microbiology and advanced materials. Our research focuses on designing, developing, and testing a new generation of functional living materials with enhanced properties and extended service life for the built environment. The candidate will implement the biomimetic principles and materiomics approach for the development and characterization of engineered living materials. The researcher will be employed at the InnoRenew CoE under the supervision of Assoc Prof. Anna Sandak. It is expected that the researcher will contribute to the ongoing projects (ERC ARCHI-SKIN, GA #101044468, EIC REMEDY GA #101185862) as well as prepare project proposal applications.
Goals and Tasks
Recent progress in biomimetics allows the fabrication of man-made surfaces with similar properties to biological ones. Such an approach also opens new fields for materials development and offers significant commercial potential for the creation of surfaces with remarkable properties that are impossible to achieve with a traditional approach, e.g., smart materials reacting in response to external stimuli, innovative surface modifications, and novel materials’ shape and structural arrangement. The research will be related to the characterization of interfaces between living coatings and living inks and various building materials. Previous experience in multi-scale and multi-sensor characterization of materials, microscopy, spectroscopy, chemometrics, statistics, and data mining is favourable. Understanding of materials – microbial interactions – adhesion, biofilm formation, and signalling at interfaces is an extra asset.
Preferred qualifications
The ideal candidate should possess a Ph.D. degree in materials science, wood technology, biology, biotechnology, bioproducts, chemical engineering, chemistry, environmental engineering, or related fields. Further requirements include:
- Proven experience with morphological, physicochemical and rheological materials characterization, including soft and hybrid (living) systems;
- Proficiency with characterization of hygroscopic properties, contact angle, surface tension, chemical composition (via spectroscopy), thermal stability, and roughness of diverse substrates;
- Excellent communication skills in English;
- Strong problem-solving attitude;
- Preparation of high-quality scientific articles;
- Ability to interact with the industry and other researchers;
- Ability to co-supervise masters and Ph.D. students;
- And the ability to formulate and communicate new research ideas (research proposal preparation).
The candidate is expected to have an interest in interdisciplinary work and the capacity to work in an international environment. An innovative, out-of-the-box, and cross-disciplinary approach will be highly valued.
What we offer
This position will be within the newly established InnoRenew CoE, which is focused on renewable materials use in sustainable built environments. The InnoRenew CoE was established as a flagship project funded by the European Commission and the Republic of Slovenia.
- 2-year contract with a probation period of 3 months and option for renewal;
- Competitive salary with possible performance-based raises;
- Opportunity to work on prestigious ERC and EIC projects;
- Relocation assistance with administrative tasks, including guidance on finding accommodation and local registrations;
- Flexible working hours;
- Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and training.
Employment opportunities, admissions policies, activities, services, and the facilities of the InnoRenew CoE do not exclude any person based on race, color, age, sex, gender, religion, national origin, or disability. In processing your application, the GDPR will be respected, and your information will not be shared outside of the relevant staff at the InnoRenew CoE. By submitting your application, you agree that the data you provide will be reviewed by this organization.
How to apply
Interested applicants should send:
- Curriculum vitae
- Motivation letter for this post-doctoral position (maximum one A4 page)
- Summary (track record) of previous research experience (Ph.D. thesis, published journal papers, conference contributions)
- Certified copy of Ph.D. degree certificate and official transcript of records, and their translations, if the originals are not in English. In case the candidate has not yet graduated, the expected defense date should be provided in the motivation letter
- Names and contacts of 2 referees
All materials should be in English and submitted in PDF format no later than 15 May 2025. Please insert “Post-doc interfaces” in the subject line of your email and submit your application to coe@innorenew.eu.
For any additional information, you can contact us by email: coe@innorenew.eu.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For further information about the research topic, please contact Associate Professor Anna Sandak (anna.sandak@innorenew.eu)
Preferred Start Date: autumn 2025 (flexible)
The InnoRenew CoE reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, extend the application period, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.
Open PhD position: Applying Social Science Approaches to Sustainable Building Research
Application deadline: 26th of May 2025
Expected start date: Between 1st of July and 1st of October 2025.
The University of Primorska and InnoRenew CoE are seeking a dynamic and motivated candidate to work on the institute’s social science projects. The researcher will be employed at the InnoRenew CoE in the Information Processing Group and become a doctoral candidate at the University of Primorska – PhD study program Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments.
Goals and Tasks
The PhD research will aim to address the use of social science approaches to explore the psychological and social factors influencing the adoption of sustainable building practices among different groups of building owners and other stakeholders. The Research Assistant will primarily support a project focused on developing a conceptual model of long-term decision-making and analyzing decisions that enhance the climate change mitigation and adaptation potential of the private forest and home construction sector. Additionally, the candidate will contribute to other projects at the research institute based on their skills and interests.
The candidate will be responsible for:
- Conducting literature reviews and analysing secondary data to understand existing methodologies and challenges.
- Assisting in qualitative research (interviews, focus groups) and quantitative research (surveys), including some involving citizen science approaches.
- Supporting project management, communication, and data collection and sharing activities to ensure effective project implementation.
- Disseminating research findings through scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
Essential requirements/skills
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Psychology, Sociology, or other Social Science field; Statistics or Data Science; or a related discipline.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary international research environment,
- Ability to formulate and communicate new research ideas (e.g., research proposal preparation),
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Proven competence with at least one statistical software package (e.g. R, SPSS, or similar).
- Fulfill the requirements for doctoral students at the University of Primorska. For more details, see:
https://www.famnit.upr.si/en/education/doctoral/renew-mat
https://www.famnit.upr.si/en/education/enrolment.
Desirable (but not mandatory) requirements/skills
- Advanced skills in data processing, analysis and visualization,
- Prior experience with qualitative and quantitative social science research methods,
- Prior experience with citizen science projects,
- Background in environmental topics or related research.
What we offer:
- Competitive salary with possible performance-based raises,
- No Ph.D. tuition fee,
- Opportunity to participate in other ongoing projects of the institute.
Employment opportunities, admissions policies, activities, services, and the facilities of the InnoRenew CoE do not exclude any person based on race, color, age, sex, gender, religion, national origin, or disability. In processing your application, the GDPR will be respected and your information will not be shared outside of the relevant staff at the InnoRenew CoE and the University of Primorska. By submitting your application, you agree that the data you provide be reviewed by these organizations.
How to apply
The applicants should send:
- Curriculum vitae (including short descriptions of all prior educations, qualifications, and research or work experiences)
- Motivation letter for this doctoral position (maximum one A4 page)
- List of publications (if applicable)
to this email address: coe@innorenew.eu. In the title (subject) of your email please write: PhD position Social Science. All materials should be in English and submitted in PDF format no later than 26th of May 2025.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For further information about the research topic, please contact Assist. Prof. Dr. Ana Slavec (ana.slavec@innorenew.eu).
The InnoRenew CoE reserves the right for justified reasons to leave the position open, extend the application period, and consider candidates who have not submitted applications during the application period.
Learn how to apply at http://innorenew.eu/jobs.
Learn more about the InnoRenew CoE at http://innorenew.eu or by e-mailing: coe@innorenew.eu.
Fungal biomineralisation – MSc thesis project available
The InnoRenew CoE is seeking a motivated student to pursue her/his final project in the field of fungal biomineralisation, within the scope of the MSCA project “Microbially Induced Mineralisation of Wood for Improved Fire Resistance” (MICRO-INSERT), GA #101105772, funded by the European Commission. https://innorenew.eu/project/microbially-induced-mineralisation-wood-improved-fire-resistance-micro-insert/. The project is led by Karen Butina Ogorelec, PhD.
The overall objective of MICRO-INSERT is to investigate the feasibility of using fungal biomineralisation to develop a novel bioinspired organic-inorganic hybrid materials (more information can be found at https://microinsert.eu/). At the current stage of the project, we are optimising fungal biomineralisation but encourage students with deeper knowledge and/or interest in wood and/or materials science to reach out as well.
The work will be conducted in the Engineered Living Materials laboratory, at InnoRenew CoE in Izola, Slovenia (https://innorenew.eu/laboratory/engineered-living-materials-laboratory/), in the Materials Department, under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Anna Sandak and co-supervision of Karen Butina Ogorelec, PhD.
Goals and Tasks
The student will develop and optimise an assay for fungal biomineralisation of calcium carbonate. The work will involve microbiological culture techniques, microscopy and infrared spectroscopy with the possibility to include other material characterisation techniques such as hyperspectral imaging, thermogravimetry and Raman microscopy.
Desired qualifications
- Education in the field of microbiology, biotechnology, wood science or other natural sciences
- Good communication skills in English
- Experience with aseptic work is highly valuable
- Experience with microbiology is highly valuable
- Experience with infrared spectroscopy and microscopy are highly valuable
The candidate is expected to have an interest in interdisciplinary work and the capacity to work in an international environment.
What we offer
The team in the Materials department is very diverse in our backgrounds, projects and ethnicities, offering a dynamic and stimulating environment for the student. The laboratories are very well equipped, the student will be able to experience a broad range of different techniques and learn how to utilise various equipment. The aim is for the thesis to be finished within six months and authorship on publications resulting from the student’s work is guaranteed.
How to apply
Interested applicants should send:
- Curriculum vitae
- Short description/ motivation why would you like to work with us
Please note that despite the advertisement being for a thesis project we are open for other forms of collaboration as well! Reach out and we will do our best to work something out together.
All materials should be in English and submitted in PDF format.
There is no deadline, we will close the call when we find a suitable candidate.
For any additional information, you can contact Karen by email: karen.butina@innorenew.eu.
Learn more about the InnoRenew CoE at http://innorenew.eu or by e-mailing: coe@innorenew.eu.
Working with us
Research at the InnoRenew CoE is focused on supporting restorative solutions for the built environment through renewable materials research and sustainable building research that creates positive impacts for the environment, building users, and society. While working with us, you will conduct cutting edge research with researchers from around the globe, collaborate with industry members, interact with the public, and support policy development for a sustainable future.
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Working in Slovenia
Slovenia is a beautiful country to live and work in with easy access to the rest of Europe. The InnoRenew CoE is located on Slovenia’s welcoming coast that is dotted with historic cities, wineries, olive groves, and stunning vistas. The food is great, the people are open and welcoming, and the lifestyle is as active or relaxed as you want it to be, with many outdoor activities to take part in or cafés to relax in.