Postdoc position: Chemist for selective ion scavenging in batteries — Empa

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Geographic detail

This page corresponds to the job slug postdoc-position-chemist-for-selective-ion-scavenging-in-batteries-empa-st-gallen (trailing token: Empa St Gallen).

The reference location stated in the job ad is St. Gallen, Canton of Ticino. Remote-tagged roles still retain the city reference for tax, contract and G Permit enrolment purposes.

Original description

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. Postdoc position: Chemist for selective ion scavenging in batteries Our Laboratory for Advanced Fibers in St. Gallen develops functional polymer fibers with applications in energy storage, health and environmental technologies. We are pioneering a new class of melt-spun liquid-core fibers that selectively scavenge transition metal ions and other degradation products in lithium-ion batteries, mitigating cell damage and prolonging battery life. Your tasks • Develop melt-spun liquid/gel-core fibers with polyolefin sheaths and functionalized, hydrophobic cores • Explore selective scavenger systems for transition metal (TM) ions and HF, including chelating ligands, reactive nanoparticles and additives • Optimize melt-spinning, uniaxial stretching, and post-treatment steps to control sheath porosity and ion diffusion • Acquisition of research grants and writing of scientific publications • Supervision of students and interns • Collaborate closely with chemists, materials scientists, and electrochemists. Your profile • PhD in chemistry (or a closely related field such as polymer science or materials science) • Experience with polymer–ion interactions, chelation chemistry, or battery materials is an advantage • You enjoy interdisciplinary teamwork and are motivated to publish high-impact results • Fluency in English; German is an asset. Our offer We offer an international, highly stimulating research environment with excellent infrastructure for fiber processing, polymer analysis, and electrochemical testing. You will be working at Empa in St. Gallen. The starting date is as soon as possible or upon mutual agreement, and the employment contract is limited to two years. We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all peop

Job details

  • Company: Empa
  • Position: Postdoc position: Chemist for selective ion scavenging in batteries
  • Location: St. Gallen, Ticino
  • Sector: Università / Ricerca
  • Expired on: 2026-09-22

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Information for cross-border workers

Empa is located in St. Gallen in the Canton of Ticino. Cross-border workers need a G Permit, renewable annually, to work in Switzerland. The Canton of Ticino applies withholding tax at variable rates on gross income. Since 2024, the New Tax Agreement introduces concurrent taxation between Italy and Switzerland.

Swiss social contributions include AVS (5.3%), unemployment insurance (1.1%) and LPP (occupational pension). Use our free tax simulator to calculate your net salary and compare the cost of living between Switzerland and Italy.

G permit and residence. To apply for this position as a cross-border worker you must reside in an Italian municipality within the 20 km border zone (Lombardy or Piedmont) and return home at least once a week. The employer files the G permit at the cantonal migration office after the contract is signed: first issuance takes 2-6 weeks and is then renewed yearly. Full-time remote work from Italy is not compatible with cross-border status; extended absences from the Italian home (more than a working week without returning) jeopardise the fiscal regime.

Net salary and the 2024 fiscal agreement. The gross salary advertised here is withheld at source by the Swiss employer at effective rates between 5 % and 19 % in the Canton of Ticino depending on income, marital status and dependants. Cross-border workers hired on or after 1 January 2024 fall under the new Italy-Switzerland concurrent regime: Italy taxes foreign employment income while granting a tax credit on Swiss withholding up to 80 %, declared in section RW of the Italian tax return. Together with social charges the typical gross-to-net gap is 18-28 %. For a personalised calculation on the gross offered by Empa open the salary simulator.

Commute and quality of life. Working in St. Gallen means a daily commute that depends on which crossing you use: Brogeda (A2 motorway) and Chiasso-strada cover the Mendrisiotto and Luganese areas; Stabio and Gaggiolo serve commuters from the Varese province; Ponte Tresa is the historic gateway for Luino and the Verbano lake region. At peak times a Como-Lugano leg runs 25-50 minutes; Varese-Lugano typically takes 35-60. For those considering relocation to Ticino, average rent for a 3.5-room flat in Lugano is CHF 1,500-2,200/month, against EUR 600-900 for an equivalent unit in the province of Como. The Swiss healthcare network (LAMal) offers shorter access times than the Italian SSN but at a monthly premium of CHF 350-500 per adult — a substantial line item in any net-vs-net comparison.

Frequently asked questions

What is the net salary for a cross-border worker in Ticino?
Net salary depends on gross income, marital status and number of children. In the Canton of Ticino, withholding tax ranges from about 2% to 15%. Together with AVS-AI-IPG (5.3%), unemployment insurance (1.1% up to CHF 148,200/year) and LPP (7-18% by age), the typical gross-to-net gap is 18-28%. Use our simulator for a personalised calculation against this listing.
Do cross-border workers need Swiss LAMal health insurance?
New cross-border workers since 2024 must enrol in Swiss LAMal within 3 months of starting work, unless they exercise the right of option to stay in the Italian SSN. Premiums vary by canton, insurance model (standard, family doctor, telmed, HMO) and deductible (CHF 300 minimum up to 2,500 maximum): compare LAMal premiums.
How do I get a G permit to work in the Canton of Ticino?
The G permit is filed by the employer at the cantonal migration office after the contract is signed. First issuance takes 2-6 weeks; the permit is renewed yearly up to the contractual limit. You must reside in an Italian municipality within the 20 km border zone (Lombardy or Piedmont) and return home at least once a week. Full-time remote work from Italy is not compatible with the status.
13th-month salary, vacation and overtime: what does Swiss law say?
The 13th salary is not statutory but is standard practice in Ticino and almost always specified in the contract: paid in December or split into two tranches (June + November). Minimum statutory holiday is 4 weeks (5 weeks for under-20s and over-50s with seniority). Overtime above 40-45 weekly hours, under the Labour Act (LL), is compensated with a 25% premium or equivalent time off within 14 weeks.
What documents do I need to apply for a Swiss job?
For the initial application: CV (European or Swiss format, in a cantonal language), cover letter, and a recent work certificate. After the contract is signed: valid ID card (passport recommended), Italian residence certificate, birth certificate for the G-permit filing, and — for regulated sectors (healthcare, schools, security) — recognition of the Italian degree by SBFI/SEFRI or the relevant cantonal authority, a process that takes 3-6 months.

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