Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa’s around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.

You will work on basic science topics as well as on applied research projects funded by InnoSuisse. Coating libraries will be synthesized using reactive and/or HiPIMS sputtering and microwave assisted deposition techniques. You will exploit various diagnosis tools that characterize the deposition environment, investigate their properties and microstructure of the deposited thin films by cutting edge analytical techniques, such as scanning/transmission electron microscopy, atom probe tomography or scanning probe microscopy.

The position is hosted within the Innovative Concrete Structures Research Group at Empa, an interdisciplinary team specializing in structural engineering, advanced materials, and innovative concrete strengthening solutions. Our work combines experimental investigations, analytical modelling, and numerical simulations to develop and validate novel reinforcement systems. This position is part of an Innosuisse-funded collaborative project with industry partners, focusing on the development and performance assessment of externally bonded CFRP reinforcements using flexible adhesives.

The focus of this postdoctoral position lies in demonstrating the real-time optimization of community PV systems, e-mobility, and edge data center integration at the Swiss pilot site hosted at Empa’s NEST demonstrator. The role involves coordinating the deployment and validation of advanced planning and energy management solutions that enhance self-consumption by intelligently controlling PV systems, batteries, electric vehicle charging, heat pumps, and thermal storage. Beyond the technical implementation, the candidate will contribute to the development of regulatory frameworks, business models, and social analyses that enable broader adoption of community PV. This interdisciplinary position bridges engineering, policy, and user-centric perspectives, and includes stakeholder engagement through workshops and training activities. The candidate is expected to translate research ideas into practical solutions in close collaboration with our interdisciplinary team and external academic and industry partners. Responsibilities also include supporting master’s and PhD students, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and participating in international conferences.

This interdisciplinary role combines artificial intelligence and machine learning with the physics of laser–matter interaction. Your developments will be directly validated through multiple experimental runs on state-of-the-art laser processing equipment. You will work closely with experts in material science, numerical modelling and laser physics, enabling you to integrate diverse expertise into robust control frameworks. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity to work with rich datasets, advanced analytical tools, high-performance computing infrastructure, cutting-edge photonic sources, and modern industrial machinery. In this position, you will contribute to ongoing research projects, publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present your work at national and international conferences.

Materialwissenschaft und Technologie sind unsere Leidenschaft. Mit unserer Spitzenforschung leisten die rund 1’100 Mitarbeitenden der Empa entscheidende Beiträge zum Wohle der Gesellschaft für eine lebenswerte Zukunft. Die Empa ist eine Forschungsinstitution des ETH-Bereichs.

In der Abteilung Chemische Energieträger und Fahrzeugsysteme erforschen wir, wie die Strassenmobilität und die Energieversorgung der Zukunft effizienter und mit geringerer Klima- und Umweltbelastung gestaltet werden kann. In engem Kontakt mit Wissenschaft, Industrie und Behörden untersuchen wir relevante Fragestellungen und entwickeln neue technische Lösungen.

You will conduct pioneering research on quantum coherent control of strongly correlated electron systems on surfaces. A particular focus is placed on molecular spin systems, where you can harness quantum correlations of many-body spin systems, enabled by atomically precise bottom-up synthesis. You will work in the laboratory for Quantum Magnetism fully equipped with low-temperature, high magnetic field scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and tuning fork atomic force microscopy (QPlus AFM), integrated with electron spin resonance (ESR) capabilities.