Post-doc opening on sustainable organic artificial synapses

Organisation/Company Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Research Field Engineering Physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 30 Oct 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Italy Type of Contract Other Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description
Project: EIC Pathfinder Challenge Project "Green materials for neurOMorphic signal processing by organic synaptic" - GreenOMorph GA n. 101161637

Commitment & contract: Post-doc, 2 years contract

Location: Center for Nano Science and Technology of IIT, Milan, Italy

Step into a world of endless possibilities, together let's leave something for the future

At IIT, we are committed to advancing human-centered Science and Technology to address the most urgent societal challenges of our era. We foster excellence in both fundamental and applied research, spanning fields such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and material sciences, offering a truly interdisciplinary scientific experience. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and technology, empowering researchers to push the limits of knowledge and innovation. With us, your curiosity will know no bounds.

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering diversity in all its forms, creating an inclusive environment. We value the unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of our people. By embracing diversity, we believe science can achieve its fullest potential.

THE ROLE

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group, where materials scientists, electrical engineers, nanotechnologists and chemists collaborate, each with their expertise, to carry out a scientific activity with a shared research goal.

The research of the group focuses on printed organic electronics, bioelectronics and edible electronics, with a specific focus on sustainability. This includes the investigation of printed and sustainable neuromorphic devices, enabling next generation of energy-efficient and compliant computing hardware.

In particular, this postdoc position is part of an ambitious European research project "GreenOMorph", which aims at the radical reduction of the environmental impact of electronics manufacture, use and end-of-life as well as a total avoidance of critical raw materials in manufactured devices.

Such goal will be achieved, on the one hand, by choosing neuromorphic instead of common Von Neumann computing reducing the energy consumed by several orders of magnitude; on the other hand, by completely relying on organic electronics with innovative green materials and additive low-temperature coating and printing methods, in all parts of an organic artificial sensory neuron for recognition of tactile pressure patterns.

The project is coordinated by the Joanneum Research center in Austria, and sees the collaboration of 6 leading European partners. The post‐doc at IIT will specifically focus on inkjet printed organic artificial synapses based on organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) made with new green active materials.

Within the research team, your main responsibilities will be:

Design and fabricate inkjet printed neuromorphic electronic devices based on OECTs integrating newly developed and sustainable organic semiconductors

Focus on reproducibility of the printed devices, to enable transition to hardware fabrication in collaboration with electronic designers

Demonstrate that such sustainable neuromorphic devices provide plasticity to the afferent nerve

Coordinate with the project partners involved in the artificial synapse development

Communicate your results in oral and written form

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

A PhD in Electronics, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or Engineering (Energy, Physics, Chemistry, Materials, Electronics).

Solid knowledge of neuromorphic devices and their electrical characterization.

Solid knowledge in electrical characterization of transistors, in particular OECTs.

A strong publication record.

The ability to properly report, organize and publish research data.

Good command in spoken and written English.

Strong problem solving attitude.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Expertise in the use of inkjet printing.

Hands-on experience with printing tools optimization.

Solid Knowledge in Organic Electronic Devices Physics.

High motivation to learn.

Experience in international laboratories.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment.

Good in time and priority management.

Ability to work in a challenging and international environment.

COMPENSATION P