University of Silesia in Katowice

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
FOR POSITION OF SCHOOLARSHIP GRANTEE | STUDENT/PHD STUDENT
IN NCN SONATA 21 RESEARCH PROJECT

Project implementation unit: Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Silesia in Katowice
Position title: Schoolarship grantee/Student/PhD student
Project title: „Graphitization of bio-based carbon precursors using low-temperature hybrid catalysts”
Project number: UMO-2025/59/D/ST11/02247
Project manager: PhD, DSc. Eng. Karolina Jurkiewicz

Description of tasks:

• Preparing and conducting catalytic graphitization processes of carbon materials.
• Conducting research and analyzing the structural characteristics of the produced materials using X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, Raman spectroscopy, gas adsorption isotherm measurements, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, helium pycnometry, and elemental analysis.
• Analyzing and processing the obtained measurement results and regularly preparing progress reports.
• Preparing scientific publications.
• Presenting research results at scientific conferences.
• Organizing, documenting, and securely storing data generated during the research,
  in accordance with the data management plan.

Requirements:

• Status as a PhD student, a second-cycle (Master’s) student, or a student of a uniform Master’s degree program (preferred fields of study: Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related disciplines).
• Knowledge of synthesis methods and the atomic structure of carbon materials.
• Practical laboratory skills in handling chemical reagents, processing raw materials
  and samples for analysis, and operating laboratory equipment such as stirrers, mills, and furnaces.
• Experience in structural characterization using techniques such as X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, Raman spectroscopy, adsorption isotherm measurements, and/or electron microscopy would be an additional asset.
• Proficiency in English sufficient to work with specialized literature and research equipment, as well as to contribute to the writing of scientific texts.
• Ability to work independently, systematically, and reliably in maintaining research documentation, along with strong motivation for collaborative scientific work
  and conducting research in the field of advanced materials.

Terms of employment:

• Schoolarship type: NCN research scholarship
• Schoolarship amount: 2 180.00 PLN
• Schoolarship duration: 22 monts
• Starting date: December 1, 2026
• Place of work: Chorzów, Institute of Physics, Unversity of Silesia in Katowice

Required documents:

1. Academic CV.
2. Document confirming PhD student or student status.
3. Brief description of academic achievements and experience to date (e.g., awards, conferences, publications, internships).
4. Signed statement regarding the processing of personal data.

Application deadline: November 2, 2026

Submission method: Documents should be sent electronically to the project manager’s email address: karolina.jurkiewicz@us.edu.pl

Selected candidates will be invited by the recruitment committee for an interview (in person or online). Selected candidates will be notified individually via email regarding the date and the location or form of the interview

More about the project (polish language):

• projekt dr hab. inż. Karoliny Jurkiewicz, prof. UŚ z niemal 2 mln zł finansowania w konkursie SONATA 21 NCN | Instytut Fizyki im. Augusta Chełkowskiego
• streszczenie.pdf