Research Proposal Chemist in Spain Barcelona – Free Word Template Download with AI

Submitted by: Institute of Advanced Materials Research, University of Barcelona
Date: October 26, 2023
Location: Barcelona, Spain

The city of Barcelona stands at the forefront of Europe's sustainable urban development initiatives within Spain, with its ambitious "Barcelona 2050" plan prioritizing environmental health and circular economy principles. As a global hub for scientific innovation in Catalonia, Barcelona hosts numerous research institutions driving chemistry-based solutions for urban challenges. This Research Proposal specifically addresses the critical need for advanced catalytic technologies to combat air pollution—a pressing concern affecting over 2 million residents in the metropolitan area. The proposed role of a Chemist as Principal Investigator is designed to leverage Barcelona's unique ecosystem of academic excellence, industry partnerships (including global firms like Solvay and local SMEs), and supportive policies under Spain's National Research Plan 2023-2030. This position directly aligns with Spain's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 while positioning Spain Barcelona as a leader in green chemistry innovation.

Urban air pollution in Barcelona remains dominated by nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from traffic emissions, contributing to respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation. Current catalytic converters used in vehicles and industrial systems face three critical limitations: high cost of platinum-group metals, inefficiency at low temperatures (especially problematic during Barcelona's frequent winter fog events), and non-biodegradable waste streams after catalyst deactivation. The absence of sustainable alternatives represents a significant gap in Spain's environmental strategy. A Chemist with expertise in heterogeneous catalysis and materials science is urgently needed to develop next-generation catalysts that address these constraints while adhering to Barcelona's zero-waste urban framework.

This Research Proposal outlines the following specific objectives for the Senior Chemist position:

1. Catalyst Design: Develop iron-based, biodegradable catalysts using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) synthesized from locally sourced biomaterials (e.g., lignin waste from Barcelona's paper industry).
2. Performance Optimization: Achieve 90% NOx conversion efficiency at temperatures below 150°C—surpassing current catalyst limitations—and ensure complete mineralization of VOCs into CO₂ and H₂O.
3. Sustainability Assessment: Create a closed-loop lifecycle model where spent catalysts can be composted or recycled via Barcelona's municipal waste system, eliminating hazardous waste streams.
4. Industrial Integration: Partner with 3 Barcelona-based automotive suppliers (e.g., ATE Automoció) to validate prototypes in real-world traffic conditions by Year 2.

The Senior Chemist will employ a multidisciplinary approach integrating synthetic chemistry, materials characterization, and urban environmental modeling. Phase 1 (Months 1-18) focuses on catalyst synthesis: utilizing Barcelona's advanced facilities at the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB) to engineer MOF structures doped with earth-abundant metals. Characterization will leverage synchrotron radiation at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), a strategic partnership accessible via Barcelona's research network. Phase 2 (Months 19-36) involves testing catalysts under simulated Barcelona traffic conditions using the city's urban air quality monitoring data and the IRTA Environmental Laboratory in Spain Barcelona. Crucially, the Chemist will collaborate with municipal environmental engineers to deploy field tests at high-pollution zones (e.g., Eixample district intersections). Phase 3 (Months 37-48) centers on scalability, working with Barcelona Tech Park startups to prototype manufacturing processes compatible with Spanish industrial standards.

This project will deliver three transformative outcomes: (1) A patent-pending catalyst platform reducing material costs by 70% versus platinum-based systems; (2) A validated model for urban air quality improvement applicable across Mediterranean cities; and (3) An established framework for sustainable catalyst lifecycle management adopted by Barcelona's Department of Environment. The significance extends beyond science: By embedding the Chemist's work within Barcelona's existing sustainability infrastructure, this initiative directly supports Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition goals while creating high-skilled jobs in Catalonia. Critically, the focus on biodegradability addresses a core gap in current European environmental regulations (EU Circular Economy Action Plan), positioning Spain Barcelona as an exemplar for green chemistry adoption.

The University of Barcelona provides exceptional infrastructure, including the Center for Advanced Materials (CMA) with €5M in catalysis equipment funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science. This role is strategically integrated into Barcelona's "Smart City" initiative, with direct access to city traffic and air quality datasets from the Metropolitan Transport Authority (TMB). The Senior Chemist will collaborate with key local entities: the Barcelona Supercomputing Center for computational modeling, the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) for material characterization, and the Barcelona City Council's Innovation Office. Importantly, this project receives endorsement from Spain's National Research Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigación), highlighting its alignment with national priorities in environmental chemistry.

A 48-month project timeline is proposed, with quarterly milestones linked to Barcelona's policy cycles. Key resources required include: (1) €350,000 for catalyst synthesis materials (sourced from sustainable suppliers in Catalonia); (2) Access to Barcelona's urban test zones; and (3) Dedicated laboratory space at the University of Barcelona’s Diagonal Campus. A detailed budget is available upon request, reflecting Spain's commitment to efficient public research funding. The Research Proposal emphasizes cost-effective methodologies leveraging existing Barcelona infrastructure, minimizing new capital expenditure.

This Research Proposal presents a strategically vital role for a Senior Chemist within the heart of Spain's scientific landscape—Barcelona. By targeting urban air quality through sustainable catalysis, the project bridges cutting-edge chemistry with Barcelona's urgent environmental needs, creating tangible benefits for citizens while advancing Spain's leadership in green innovation. The proposed work does not merely address a technical problem; it establishes a replicable model where scientific excellence directly serves city policy goals. As Barcelona accelerates its transition to a carbon-neutral metropolis, this Chemist position represents the critical nexus between laboratory discovery and urban transformation within Spain Barcelona. We urgently seek approval to initiate this project, confident it will yield both scientific breakthroughs and a blueprint for sustainable chemistry integration in Europe's most dynamic cities.

Barcelona City Council. (2021). *Barcelona 2050: Urban Sustainability Strategy*. Barcelona.
Spanish Ministry of Science. (2023). *National Research Plan 2030: Environmental Technologies Priority*. Madrid.
European Environment Agency. (2022). *Air Quality in European Cities Report*. Copenhagen.
University of Barcelona. (2023). *Institute for Advanced Materials Research Annual Report*. Barcelona.

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