Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) is a private research institution devoted to excellence in research in numerous disciplines and designated to the role of keeping the Autonomous Province of Trento in the mainstream of European and international research. Each research area is assigned to a specific research center, for a total of twelve. Information regarding the research centers, their activities and production is available at http://www.fbk.eu/research-centers .

Workplace

The Centre on Sustainable Energy (SE) supports the development of efficient devices and methods for generating, storing, and distributing energy solutions with low environmental impact. This is achieved by taking an energy sustainability approach that respects the environment and quality of life, while minimising health and environmental pollution. The ground for the Centre on "Sustainable Energy" is based on the Decarbonization targets, which will require more flexibility in the energy system through new gas and power grids,using energy vectors and storage solutions to enable the broad penetration of renewable energy sources.

The HYdrogen Technologies and Resilient Energy Systems unit (HyRES) is a dedicated research and development unit at the forefront of advancing hydrogen technology and resilient energy systems. With a primary focus on hydrogen, the unit works diligently to innovate the future energy grid, making it more intelligent and capable of integrating renewable sources. A central goal is to ensure energy resilience and security, particularly in collaboration with industrial partners. The unit's research encompasses various aspects, including hydrogen production, storage and end uses, all with the overarching aim of reducing the carbon footprint of energy systems and positively impacting the energy market, making it more sustainable and secure for the future.
The HyRES unit is involved in several European projects, in collaboration with industrial partners, focusing on characterisation activities for low- and high-temperature fuel cells and electrolyser cells.

FBK actively seeks diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is also committed to promoting gender equality. To promote the inclusion of disabled staff as per law 68/99, the Foundation is available and interested in evaluating the applications received for technical-scientific domains that do not correspond exactly to this call.

Job Description

The HyRES Unit is looking for a technologist for the characterisation area of the study of materials and components for the H2 sector, covering morphology, elemental, and analytical analyses of gases and electrolytes.

The successful candidate will contribute to the following tasks:

• Perform morphological and chemical characterisation of samples for the H2 sector;
• Perform characterisation activities, especially on morphology by SEM, BET, etc.;
• Prepare specifications for the purchase of equipment and follow the related installation and commissioning;
• Supervise the characterisation area, monitoring tools and procedures;
• Propose novel solutions of analytical characterisation for H2, introducing novel and state-of-the-art technologies, or novel equipment, procedures and protocols;
• Manage and maintain operational equipment (e.g. BET and SEM);
• Elaborating experimental data and investigating trends/correlations between different material properties such as porosity, surface area, etc. and electrical conductivity, permeability, etc., in collaboration with the testing teams and simulation teams, for modelling development;
• Produce reports, deliverables, technical reviews and scientific publications;
• Participate in the preparation of the project’s proposals.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

• Master’s degree in chemistry, Material science, Physics or similar;
• Know-how in material characterisation techniques (i.e. SEM, AFM, XPS, contact angle measurements, gas physisorption and chemisorption);
• Experience in sample preparation and good practice in a chemical lab;
• Familiarity with heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, water splitting (H2 sector) and online gas analysis;
• Proven experience in material chemistry;
• Excellent English, written and spoken;
• Teamwork approach, good communication and relational skills;
• Strong orientation to results, determination, flexibility and aptitude for problem-solving.

Furthermore, the following elements will be positively evaluated:

• PhD (or equivalent 3 years’ experience) in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics or similar.
• Experience in analytical methods development and/or validation;
• Experience in data analysis;
• Experience in proposal drafting.

Working hours : Full time (38 h per week)
Start date : March 2026
Duration : 24 months with the possibility of extending the contract depending on funding
Workplace : Povo (Trento) and Rovereto
Gross annual salary: From €38.925,07 to €44.528,13 depending on background and expertise in the field, plus objectives achievements bonus
Benefits : flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities and for research in accommodation, accommodation etc., supplementary pension and health fund, social security (SANIFONDS), family-work balance, free training courses, support on bank account opening, discount on public transport, sport, language course fees, counseling and psychological support service. More info at https://www.fbk.eu/en/work-with-us/

Application

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by completing the online form ( https://jobs.fbk.eu/ ). Please make sure that your application contains the following attachments (in pdf format):

• Detailed CV including relevant past experiences (as an attached document in PDF format);
• Cover Letter (explaining your motivation for this specific position).

Application deadline: Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

Please read our Recruitment Regulations before completing your application.
For further information or technical issues regarding the application, please contact the People Innovation for Research Department at jobs@fbk.eu .