Join the group!

If you are passionate about organic optoelectronics or quantum technologies, we would love to hear from you!

Open positions

Postdoc Position in Chiral Film and Device Engineering

Within the recently funded FIS Starting Grant SPIRO-χ, a 2-year postdoctoral position is available, starting in May 2026. The project focuses on the fabrication, morphological, and optoelectronic characterization of chiral thin films, with particular emphasis on evaporation techniques and the study of their spin-selective properties. The ultimate goal is to develop organic devices where spin management is combined with charge photogeneration, enabling more efficient solar cells and multifunctional spintronic functionalities.

We offer:

- A position within the Laboratory of Molecular Magnetism, bridging the Departments of Industrial Engineering and Chemistry of the University of Florence, with a strongly interdisciplinary and international team.

- Opportunities to develop scientific and management skills, with strong support for your future career.

- Access to fully-equipped laboratories, including evaporation and solution processing facilities, surface characterization techniques (SPM, XPS, UPS, IPES, etc.), variable temperature transport setups also under applied magnetic field and light illumination, CW and pulsed X-band and W-band EPR laboratories, magnetometers, and access to optical spectroscopy facilities.

Required skills and qualifications:

- PhD in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or related fields.

- Experience with thin film and device fabrication (preferably via thermal evaporation).

- Strong experience with charge transport measurements.

- Willingness to coordinate and assist doctoral and master students joining the group and contribute to the development of a growing laboratory.

Preferred:

- Experience with chirality and chiral thin films.

- Background in organic optoelectronic and/or spintronic applications.

Contact for further info: alberto.privitera@unifi.it

Opportunities in the Group

In addition to our advertised positions, we welcome motivated students and postdocs to apply at any time (contact: alberto.privitera@unifi.it). We are committed to supporting strong candidates in securing external funding and guiding them through the preparation of high-quality applications.

• Master’s thesis students

We invite applications from students in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or related disciplines (from UNIFI or worldwide). Motivated students interested in carrying out their final project in our lab are encouraged to contact Alberto. Please briefly describe your previous experience and indicate which techniques or topics you would like to explore in our group.

We are happy to host international Master’s students as well!

• PhD students 

We welcome PhD candidates in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or related disciplines (typical duration: 3 years). Our lab aims to address scientific and technological questions and to train PhD students to become well-rounded researchers - able to fabricate materials, perform characterization experiments (e.g. spectroscopy, transport, etc.), and communicate their work effectively.

Our favorite playground? Spins and light!

• Postdoctoral researchers 

We are looking for postdoctoral researchers with expertise in EPR and optical spectroscopy, as well as thin-film and device fabrication and characterization. The preferred way to join the group is through joint applications for external funding, such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Fellowships. These prestigious fellowships provide scientific independence and valuable transferable skills. Ideal candidates have a strong and complementary background to the group’s activities. The MSCA call typically closes in September, so please contact Alberto well in advance (ideally in spring) if you are interested in applying.

• Visiting Researchers

Florence is an exceptional place for research stays (e.g., Erasmus). A successful visit depends on shared research interests, and adequate planning regarding timing and laboratory resources. Before contacting us, please take a look at our research focus and recent publications on our webpage.