PRR Project

Summary

Position: Principal Researcher on Mechanical Energy Harvesting Materials and SystemsWe are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Researcher in the field of energy harvesting, namely mechanical energy harvesting, to join our dynamic team at NOVA FCT / CENIMAT|i3N (i3N). The researcher will be responsible for leading cutting-edge research aimed at advancing energy harvesting, including exploiting new material design approaches, innovative device architectures and integration in systems, making use of sustainable nanomaterials and green processing techniques with upscaling potential. Responsibilities:1.Lead and manage research projects focused on the design, fabrication, and optimization of energy harvesting materials, devices and applications, exploring piezoelectric, triboelectric or combined effects.2.Develop novel concepts and methodologies for improving the efficiency and stability of energy harvesters such as nanogenerators, through innovative device architectures, materials, and manufacturing techniques.3.Design and conduct experiments to characterize the electromechanical properties of harvesters and materials, as well as charge transport in those materials and systems, using advanced characterization techniques and simulation tools.4.Collaborate with i3N team members to synergistically spread knowledge to and from energy harvester development for the global benefit of the sustainable advanced materials strategy of the research center.5.Tailor harvesters´ performance to the needs of flexible electronic and bioelectronic applications under development in the research group and collaborate on the integration of (bio)electronics and energy harvesters for self-sustainable platforms.6.Interact with multiple players relevant to energy harvesting, including industry partners, government agencies, and academic institutions to establish further collaborative research initiatives and secure additional funding to develop the area at i3N.7.Lead the publication of research findings in reputable scientific journals and interact with the innovation office to analyze intellectual property valorization arising from the developed work.8.Mentor junior researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students working on energy harvesting-related research projects. Scientific Profile: The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and attributes:9.PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related fields, with a focus on energy harvesting.10.Extensive experience in the design, synthesis, and characterization of materials for energy harvesting, including ceramics, polymers, and nanocomposites, in nanostructure or thin film form.11.Experience in the integration of such materials into nanogenerators for wearable applications, using substrates such as paper or textiles.12.Knowledge of numerical simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL) is highly desirable.13.Proven leadership ability, with a track record of successfully leading research teams and collaborative projects.14.Strong publication record in reputable scientific journals, demonstrating the ability to lead the development of novel insights into the field.15.Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary teams. Rationale: The deployment of electronic and bioelectronic devices in an increasing diversity of scenarios brings concerns about how to power such devices. Applications where battery replacement/ recharging is impractical, such as IoT sensor nodes in remote locations or wearable/implantable electronics, show that the possibility of harvesting energy from the environment or body motion is highly desirable. Within its commitment to applied science to benefit all the society, i3N is setting up a research program on energy harvesting from environmentally clean and cost-effective sources. i3N has a consolidated tradition of photovoltaics, but mechanical energy harvesting is far more recent. While impressive progress has been made over the last five years, with innovative smart paper and textile devices, an experienced principal researcher is needed to lead research in this area.This position is integrated within the Materials for Electronics, Optoelectronics, and Processes (MEON) group at i3N, organized in three research areas (RA): 1-Flexible and sustainable electronics; 2-Energy harvesting, conversion, and storage;3- Bioelectronic and biomedical devices. These are transversally supported by three Satellite RA (SRA):1- Nanomaterials synthesis and deposition;2– Micro and nanopatterning;3– Advanced characterization. This position thus fits clearly into RA#2 but impacts all remaining RA and SRA, by i) tailoring nanogenerator performance to power electronic and bioelectronic devices and build self-powered systems and ii) feeding transversal SRAs with novel materials and processing technologies, as well as enlarging the advanced characterization techniques portfolio of the i3N.