PhD position at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona funded by the PHYNEST project

Organisation/Company noma de Barcelona Department Department of Physics Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 28 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – COFUND Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101216811 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? NoDesplácese hacia abajo para encontrar los detalles completos de la oferta de trabajo, incluyendo la experiencia requerida y las funciones y tareas asociadas.Offer DescriptionArtificial Intelligence-Driven Design of Ternary Alloy Electrodeposits: Deciphering the Interplay Between Plating Mechanisms, Process Parameters, and Coating PropertiesA PhD position is available in the Department of Physics at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), under the supervision of Jordina Torrents (AI Lab, HP) and Eva Pellicer ( Gnm3 , UAB) . The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Physics or Materials Science doctoral programme at the UAB in the framework of the PHYNEST project. PHYNEST is a prestigious new MSCA-COFUND doctoral programme coordinated by the UAB, designed to recruit and train25 doctoral candidates . The programme focuses onadvanced materials, innovative methodologies, and transformative solutionsthat address today’s most pressing challenges in the fields ofenergy transition and environmental sustainability .Research projectIn binary alloy electrodeposition from aqueous solutions, three fundamental deposition modes are universally recognized: normal, anomalous, and induced regimes. These describe how the relative deposition rates of two metals (A and B) compare with their relative concentrations and inherent nobility (standard reduction potentials). In anomalous co‑deposition, the less noble metal deposits preferentially, contrary to what reduction potentials predict. In induced co‑deposition, one metal cannot deposit at all under the given conditions unless the other metal is present. Atypical co‑deposition regimes present a major obstacle to the synthesis of multicomponent alloys with tailored properties, as current data and tools are insufficient for precise composition design. Electrodeposition mechanisms are rather complex, and the effect of each process parameter on the final composition depends on how it interacts with the others. This interdependence highlights the need for design strategies that explicitly account for these correlations to avoid the so‑called trial‑and‑error in the lab, hence saving time and resources. Industrially relevant ternary alloy candidates will be selected for study from both experimental and computational perspectives. Additionally, the feasibility of predicting the phase diagram for previously unreported ternary alloys will be investigated.Research groupsThe AI Lab, part of HP’s renowned Technology and Innovation Office, leads strategic research and development in Generative AI to bring state‑of‑the‑art capabilities into HP’s new form‑factors portfolio. With teams located in Barcelona (Spain), Palo Alto (USA), and Bangalore (India), the Barcelona group focuses on operationalising the full lifecycle of Generative AI models and developing energy‑efficient on‑device solutions that address top user needs while enabling new, transformative user experiences. Our research spans natural language processing, computer vision, and voice‑based AI systems, with a strong emphasis on model fine‑tuning, quantization (compression / distillation), and evaluation of large language, vision, and audio models.The Gnm3 group focuses part of its research on the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced materials with tailored properties for cutting‑edge engineering applications. We use electrochemical methods to produce advanced material architectures with high surface‑area‑to‑volume ratios and compositions with reduced amounts of noble metals. These materials are tested as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and, more recently, implemented in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Sustainability and energy efficiency are guiding principles of our work, shaping both the development of materials and their envisioned applications. More info can be found at the research group website: offerA full‑time, 4‑year contract (37.5 hours per week), starting at the end of 2026A gross annual salary of €30,900Full coverage of tuition fees by the projectEligibility criteria (EC rules)Mobility rule:Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the programme call deadline (February 28th, 2026).Experience rule:Candidates must be doctoral candidates at the date of recruitment, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the degree are not considered eligible. Candidates must hold a degree that qualifies them for admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB.Academic background and skillsBachelor / Master in Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Physics or related fields; extra coursework in data science or artificial intelligence is a plus.Analytical thinking & problem‑solving, ability to interpret experimental data critically.Scientific writing and communication skills in English.Teamwork and interdisciplinary mindset (materials science, physical chemistry, energy research).Knowledge of Physical Chemistry is desirable.Knowledge in Python programming language or PyTorch / Tensorflow certification.Preliminary exposure to machine/deep learning, statistical modelling or generative AI.Application processInterested candidates are invited to apply via thePHYNEST online platformby submitting a full CV, a motivation letter, two letters of recommendation and academic and English level certificates. xsgfvud The call will be open from 1 January to 28 February 2026. Further details about the PHYNEST project, the recruitment process, and the application platform can be found on the PHYNEST website.#J-18808-Ljbffr