Position: Technologist – µ-valves
Application deadline: May 28, 2026, 16:00 (Central European Time)
Applications with required documents (CV, scientific output, copies of documents confirming academic degrees) should be sent by email to: Katarzyna.Potera@pw.edu.pl

Responsibilities:
• Participation in the development of piezoelectric µ-energy generator (Energy Harvester), especially in terms of filling with working fluid and sealing of µ- generators;
• Selection of materials for µ-valves enabling filling of µ-generators with working fluid and ensuring hermetic sealing after valve closure;
• Design of µ-valve topologies enabling filling of µ-generators with working fluid;
• The µ-valve should allow filling the µ-generator chamber with working fluid and subsequently enable releasing the fluid (or its vapor) in a way that prevents other gases (or air) from entering the chamber from the outside;
• Mechanical processing of materials and integration of µ-valves – fabrication of designed µ-valve structures;
• Optimization of µ-valve structures to achieve mechanical resistance to operating pressures in the µ-generator chamber and chemical inertness with respect to the working fluid;
• Determination of µ-valve opening times to achieve the desired filling level of µ-generators;
• Analysis of fabricated µ-valves in terms of tightness and proper operation during repeated opening/closing cycles;
• Development of procedures for integration of µ-valves with other parts of µ-generators, including integration with silicon-based structures or hermetic sealing layers;
• Optimization of the µ-valve manufacturing process enabling medium- and large-scale production.

Requirements:
1) PhD degree or equivalent in materials engineering or a related field connected with nano-engineering;
2) Very good command of English (spoken and written), enabling active participation in international scientific conferences, work with English-language literature, and preparation of grant applications, including international collaboration;
3) Proficiency in Polish (spoken and written), enabling effective application for grants in Polish funding institutions and conducting projects with Polish partners;
4) Scientific output including co-authorship of at least 15 scientific publications (journals, book chapters or books, conference papers) and co-authorship of at least 10 patents;
5) Scientific profile related to micro- and nanotechnology, confirmed by publications, participation in scientific projects, and professional experience;
6) Practical knowledge of analytical techniques: optical microscopy;
7) Practical knowledge of manufacturing technologies (especially laser processing, micro-milling) and materials used in microfluidic device construction;
8) Knowledge of chemical durability of materials;
9) Experience in laboratory organization, preparation of laboratory protocols and procedures, scientific publications (in English and Polish), and research reports;
10) Experience in 3D design and programming of machining processes using CAD/CAM software;
11) Experience in automation of manufacturing and operation of microfluidic systems;
12) Experience in conducting research, confirmed by publications and participation in scientific projects;

What we offer:
1. Fixed-term employment (12 months), 20% FTE;
2. Start date: June 15, 2026;
3. Work on the SFINKS project funded by the European Research Council (Advanced Grant);
4. Employment at a leading technical university in Poland;
5. Opportunity for scientific career development in a dynamic team conducting innovative research in a strategically important field;
6. Possibility of hybrid work;
7. Numerous training courses and professional development opportunities;
8. Access to group insurance and employee benefits (holiday subsidies, sports activities, language courses);

Candidates are requested to send their CV along with a list of scientific output (publications ordered chronologically from newest to oldest) and copies of documents confirming academic degrees to: Katarzyna.Potera@pw.edu.pl
Application deadline: May 28, 2026, 16:00 (Central European Time)
Only selected candidates will be contacted. Submitted documents will not be returned