We are delighted to announce that Adara Babuji, former PhD student of the PCSI group at ICMAB, has been awarded one of the PhD Extraordinary Awards granted by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). These awards distinguish outstanding doctoral theses defended within the last three academic years, with only five recognitions given per programme.
Adara’s thesis, Significance of molecular and crystal structure on organic semiconductor doping, defended on 26 July 2022, was selected by the Academic Committee of the PhD Programme in Materials Science as one of the five best theses of the 2021/2022 academic year. Her work was supervised by Esther Barrena and Carmen Ocal (ICMAB-CSIC).
The award ceremony took place on 7 November 2025.
This achievement highlights the excellent research carried out within the PCSI group and reflects Adara’s dedication and scientific talent. We are extremely proud of her success and of the impact her research continues to have in the field of organic semiconductor materials.
Join a cutting-edge research project focused on the exploration of new materials for the development of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) based on charge-transfer semiconductors for near-infrared (NIR) detection.
🎯 What You’ll Do
•Design and fabricate thin films based on novel organic materials as semiconductors
•Develop and characterize OFET devices
•Use nanoscale advanced characterization to study interfaces and morphology
•Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration within ICMAB’s e-MolMat and PCSI groups
•Participate in training activities, conferences, and scientific communication
🎓 Your Profile
•MSc in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanoscience or related fields
•High motivation
•Interest in interdisciplinary research and willingness to collaborate internationally
We are delighted to welcome Mercedes Linares Moreau as a new postdoctoral researcher in our group, supported by the prestigious Beatriu de Pinós fellowship.
Mercedes graduated with a Licentiate in Physics from the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina) in 2013 and earned her PhD in Physics from the University of San Martín (UNSAM) in 2018. During her PhD, she studied electrical transport in mesoporous oxide thin films and metal-oxide nanocomposites, specializing in multiple Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) techniques.
From 2018 to 2021, she joined Prof. Falcaro’s group as a postdoctoral researcher, working on MOF thin films and ceramic-to-MOF conversion as part of the ERC – POPCRYSTAL project. Since 2021, she has held a Senior Scientist position at the Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, also within Prof. Falcaro’s group.
Her research focuses on the heteroepitaxial growth of oriented MOF films and patterns for applications in optics, sensing, and microelectronic devices. Additionally, she explores in-situ characterization of MOFs and MOF-biocomposites, aiming to develop new materials with enhanced stability and functionality for environmental and industrial applications.
We warmly welcome Mercedes and look forward to her contributions to our team. Wishing her great success in this new chapter!
On February 14, a tribute to the recently retired scientist and founder of the PCSI group, Prof. Carmen Ocal, was held at the Institute of Materials Science in Madrid. Organized by the scientists Carmen Munuera (ICMM), Agustina Asenjo (ICMM), Juan de la Figuera (IQF Rocasolano) and Esther Barrena (ICMAB), the event counted with the contribution of her colleagues, students, friends and collaborators, who highlighted the important educational, research and social work of Carmen Ocal throughout her scientific career. For more information on the event: https://www.icmab.es/tribute-to-carmen-ocal-upon-her-retirement-organized-at-icmm-csic
On October 18, Shunya Yan defended her thesis entitled “Polymorphism in Organic Semiconductor Thin Films: A Nanoscale Investigation of Thermal and Interfacial Effects”. Her thesis work was supervised by Dr. Esther Barrena.
The members of the thesis committee were:
Dra. Carmen Munuera, ICMM, Spain
Dr. Cristian Rodríguez, ICN2, Spain
Dra. Mercedes Linares, Graz University of Technology, Austria
Shunya Yan got the highest score for her work. Congratulations!
The jury of the 2024 Awards of the Spanish Royal Society of Physics-BBVA Foundation has awarded physicist Daniel Martín Jiménez, from the PCSI group (ICMAB-CSIC), the prize in the category of Best Contribution to Dissemination in the publications of the Spanish Royal Society of Physics[1]. In this context, the specialist in Nanotechnology presented his work entitled “Molecular Chefs”. The jury unanimously highlighted “the originality of Daniel Martín’s article, published in the journal of the Spanish Royal Society of Physics, in presenting the fundamentals and practical application of nanotechnology. The parallelism established between nanotechnology and molecular cuisine, two fields in which Spain stands out internationally, allows the reader to become familiar with the basic procedures of these disciplines in a pleasant, close and rigorous way.
On 6th September, Prof. Camen Ocal retired. She has been a research professor at ICMAB-CSIC, leading the PCSI Group since 2007. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to science, exemplifying how to conduct excellent, rigorous and honest research. Equally dedicated to promoting gender equality in science and education, she has been an inspiring role model. She has directed the work of 12 PhD students who currently hold positions in scientific and technological centres or universities. The group is very grateful for her work during all this time, and we wish her all the best for the new path in her life!
September 1st, Daniel Martin-Jimenez starts his project TORNADE, one of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Awards for Postdoctoral Fellowships.
We wish Daniel GOOD LUCK, fruitful job and great results!!!
TORNADE has a double objective. On the one hand establishing novel uses of SPM techniques to characterize with high resolution anisotropic organic layers for the production of more efficient organic electronic devices. That will be a feedback for optimizing the preparation methods as to obtain organic thin films with a more controllable domain distribution and enhanced electronic properties.
You can have a look to the scientific background and production of Daniel here.
The group has recently acquired two Park FX40 multipurpose atomic force microscopes (mp-AFMs), which are part of a SPM platform to be installed in a dedicated laboratory at the ALBA facility. The objective of the SPM platform of InCAEM is to offer a wide range of correlative advanced characterization of materials by means of a variety of operation modes and under different operation environments. The high flexibility of the mp-AFM will permit correlative experiments with specific beamlines of the synchrotron ALBA.
Main Tasks and responsibilities:
– Participating in the installation of the mp-AFMs and supplies systems.
– Commissioning of the instruments, including one inside a GloveBox (MBraun).
– Testing the different operation modes under diverse environmental conditions to assure full functionality.
– Adapting and optimizing user-friendly operation protocols.
– Preliminary tests and correlative experiments with ALBA beamlines.
Opportunities:
The hired person will have the unique opportunity to carry out her/his job in the scientific active and lively environment of ICMAB and the synchrotron ALBA. During the first period, she/he will acquire the knowledge to master state-of-the-art techniques for organic thin films growth and novel characterization instruments with the purpose of performing SPM measurements correlated to experiments of diverse X-ray beamlines at ALBA. The collaborative activity at international level will be an unique chance for a professional career.
Application and requirements:
** As the position is intended to start in October 2024, possible international candidates are requested to take into account the fulfillment of requirements in due term through the CSIC job bank.
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Materials Science or Electrical Engineering or Physics.
Knowledge on Scanning Probe Microscopy, surface science and materials characterization.
Experience in synchrotron-based techniques will be considered an added value.
Good level of English.
We encourage interested candidates to send a CV and motivation letter to the following researchers:
Objectives: The DC will be trained in advanced methodologies of scanning probe microscopy and real-time x-ray diffraction studies for investigating the microstructure and nanomorphology of solution-processed non-fullerene acceptor active layers and monitor their stability under thermal annealing and moisture/oxygen exposure. The important role of the interface also will be addressed.
Expected Results: Understanding the evolution of the microstructure and nanomorphology of the films due to thermal annealing and aging effects, and the assessment of chemical degradation pathways will aid in finding mitigation strategies of degradation in NFA-based OSCs devices.
The work will be performed at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (www.icmab.es). The DC will enroll in a doctoral student program at Autonomous University of Barcelona.
Requirements of the candidates
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Materials Science or Electrical Engineering or Physics providing access to PhD programs and should have experience with experimental research.
Applicants must have a very good knowledge (written & spoken) of the English language.
Strong motivation and ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international team
For additional information, please contact the scientist-in-charge / supervisor: Dr. Esther Barrena (e.barrena@csic.es, https://surfaces.icmab.es/) or visit the site Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position) / DC7 | EURAXESS (europa.eu)
