José J. Baldoví, a researcher at the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) of the University of Valencia, has won the Algemesí Scientific-Technical Research Award for his work on intelligent materials for quantum technologies, within the field of theoretical and computational chemistry. This is the 17th edition of this competition aimed at young researchers.

The winning work, worth 5,000 euros, focuses on the development of single-molecule magnets that can be used as basic units of information in quantum computation.

José J. Baldoví is a distinguished researcher of the GVA Gen-T Plan at the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) of the University of Valencia, where he works on the design and modelling of hybrid heterostructures based on magnetic molecules and two-dimensional materials. In January of the same year, Baldoví received a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) worth 1.5 million euros to develop his research project based on smart materials.

A chemist by training from the University of Valencia, with a master's degree and doctorate from ICMol in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, he was a Marie-Sklodowska Curie researcher for the European Commission at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of the Structure and Dynamics of Matter in Hamburg (Germany). This postdoctoral experience allowed him to expand his research interests into the field of theoretical modelling of two-dimensional materials and their heterostructures, enabling him to design new multifunctional materials. In January 2020 he returned to ICMol after obtaining a CDEIGENT excellence contract as part of the Gen-T talent attraction plan of the Generalitat Valenciana.

Since 2012, he has co-authored more than 50 scientific articles in international impact journals and a book chapter. His papers have received more than 2,250 citations so far. He is currently co-director of three doctoral theses. He also holds a master's degree in Journalism and Communication of science, technology and the environment.

This award is a special recognition of his scientific career and the results achieved over the last few years. "I am very pleased to be part of the history of this prestigious award, which recognises the work and scientific quality of research by young people in the Valencian Community," said the scientist.