Objective
The Postdoctoral Fellowship offers the applicant the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research at the University of Leeds, one of Europe’s leading centres for tribology and surface engineering. The fellowship will combine the applicant’s expertise in in-situ tribochemical analysis with the host’s strengths in predictive modelling to create an integrated framework for designing safer, high-performance sliding interfaces. Current reliance on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in tribological systems poses serious environmental and health concerns, yet effective PFAS-free alternatives remain limited. A key challenge lies in understanding and controlling tribochemical reactions at polymer/metal interfaces under realistic operating conditions. Without such knowledge, the replacement materials often underperform or fail prematurely. This project will address the challenge by integrating surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with 3D optical profilometry to monitor, in real time, the formation and evolution of tribofilms during sliding. These experimental insights will be coupled with data-driven predictive models to link molecular-scale processes to macroscopic friction and wear behaviour. The research will proceed in three stages: (1) developing and validating SERS-active coatings for in-situ analysis; (2) elucidating competitive tribochemical mechanisms in PFAS-free lubricated and unlubricated systems; and (3) building predictive models to guide material selection and design. By the end of the fellowship, the project will deliver new mechanistic understanding of tribofilm evolution, a transferable methodology for in-situ tribochemical characterisation, and practical guidelines for replacing PFAS in industrial tribosystems. These outcomes will advance sustainable engineering solutions and reduce the environmental footprint of future technologies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering tribology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
LS2 9JT Leeds
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.