Protein-Based Nanotechnologies for Hydrovoltaic Energy Conversion

Organisation/Company CEA-GRENOBLE Department IRIG Research Field Technology » Energy technology Physics » Chemical physics Physics » Biophysics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 30 Sep 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join a two-year interdisciplinary project on protein-based nanotechnologies for energy harvesting , based in Grenoble (French Alps) . This position is part of the BioVolt project , a collaborative effort between the Chemistry and Biology of Metals Laboratory ( ) and the Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Physical-Chemistry of Materials and Interfaces ( ) .

Project Overview

Water, which covers 71% of the Earth's surface, is the largest energy reservoir on the planet and captures approximately 35% of the solar energy received by Earth.Hydrovoltaic energy —the conversion of water interaction into electricity—has recently emerged as a novel and promising field. While current efforts mainly focus on inorganic materials,we explore the potential of biological systems , specificallyamyloid protein nanofibrils , as active layers for ambient humidity-powered energy devices.

The project combines fundamental research with applied objectives:

• Investigate thephysicochemical mechanisms underlying energy generation from water interaction with protein nanofibrils.
• Design and fabricateenergy conversion devices to optimize performance.
• Developproof-of-concept demonstrators for targeted low-power applications.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Specialization

• PhD incondensed matter physics ,electrochemistry ,materials science , orbioelectronics .
• Specialization in one or more of the following areas:
  • Humidity-responsive materials (biological, organic, or hybrid).
  • Energy conversion mechanisms (hydrovoltaic, triboelectric, piezoelectric, etc.).
  • Low-power generation and storage systems.

Technical Skills

• Electrical characterization of materials (I–V, impedance spectroscopy, noise, low-frequency measurements).
• Experience with thin-film deposition techniques (spin coating, drop casting, screen printing).
• Simulation tools (COMSOL, SPICE) are a plus.
• Data analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent tools.

Research Experience

• At least 1–2 publications in related fields (e.g., hydrovoltaic systems, bio-sourced materials, self-powered sensors).
• Interdisciplinary background (physics/chemistry/biology/electronics) is highly valued.
• Experience with applied research projects (e.g., health, environment, IoT) is an asset.