Vacancy: Early Stage Researcher
Work Location: Poland › Warsaw
Organisation: Institute of Organic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences
Duration of Research Programme: 36 months
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Closing date: 17 December 2020 at 14:00
Level of education: Master degree
Starting date 05/01/2021

 

 

 

 

OFFER DESCRIPTION
Are you interested to tackle the challenges associated with photocatalysis in a coherent and comprehensive fashion? Are you curious to make important contributions to the applicability and scalability of photocatalytic processes through the design of novel photocatalysts, new photocatalytic methodologies, cutting-edge technological solutions to enable automation and scalability, and immediate industrial implementation?

The Gryko group at the Institute of Organic Chemistry PAS is seeking an excellent, highly motivated PhD candidate to carry out interdisciplinary research with the aim to developed chiral porphyrin-based catalysts for the photoactivation of diazo compounds within the PhotoReAct project.

PhotoReAct is an Innovative Training Network (ITN) and PhD students, which in this context are called Early Stage Researchers (ESRs), will participate in the research to tackle the challenges associated with photocatalysis in a coherent and comprehensive fashion. The use of visible light energy to induce chemical transformations constitutes a chemoselective and green activation mode of organic molecules. However, implementation of this energy source in organic synthetic methodologies and in the industrial production of fine chemicals has been challenging.

In total 15 Early Stage Researchers will be trained in 14 organizations from industry and academia within the PhotoReAct network. The network will provide them with opportunities to undertake research with the aim to overcome the current limitations towards the applicability and scalability of photochemical transformations. All ESRs will perform three secondments, of which at least one is intersectoral and carried out with an industrial partner and a second is international. EU funded (project no. 956324) and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action.

What are you going to do?
Project: Porphyrins as photosensitizers for the activation of diazo compounds

Objectives: Development of chiral, porphyrins and their application in photocatalytic processes

Expected results: Synthesis of new, chiral porphyrins bearing various chiral moieties will be developed. These compounds will be employed in enantioselective processes involving energy transfer including oxidations, activation of diazo reagents, etc. Comprehensive mechanistic studies on influence of porphyrin structure and state of metalation on photosensitization ability will be performed.

You will work in a team with one other PhD student under supervision of professor Dorota Gryko. The work will be executed within the European Innovative Training Network project PhotoReAct.

Questions?
Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation? Please contact: Prof. Dorota Gryko, dorota.gryko@icho.edu.pl

The mission of the Gryko group https://ww2.icho.edu.pl/gryko_group is to create greener methodologies for the production of valuable chemicals. To address current sustainability issues of the chemical industry, we need to develop alternative technologies to eliminate environmentally damaging chemicals and by-products. This can only be achieved by taking inspiration from the Nature as what works is based on its 3.8 billion years of evolution. Nature constructs and decomposes complex molecules with the help of enzymes as catalysts and light as the ultimate energy source. However, despite fundamental benefits of enzymes, their industrial application can be limited by their availability, instability towards certain conditions, cost etc. Our lab develops catalytic methods that mimic efficiency characteristic for enzymes by combining the robust nature of simple nature-derived catalysts with light as the source of energy.

Job application

The IOC PAN is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity. Following the 'Women and Science' movement, the PhotoReAct project encourages and promotes applications from excellent female candidates.

The IOC PAS is the party responsible for processing your personal data (the 'controller') within the meaning of the General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’).

The selection procedure includes interview and a reference check. The interview will be done by video calls and include a presentation of your master thesis, and questions from organic chemistry at the master level. Please read the Charter and Code for recruitment.

Benefits
- € 3068,85 (brutto brutto, ~7700 PLN netto) gross per month, EU funded (project no. 956324) project ‘Photocatalysis as a tool for synthetic organic chemistry" and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action,
- additional private insurance
- the position within the grant is for a period of 36 months.

Eligibility criteria
University graduate, within 4 years after receiving a MSc degree in chemistry;
Importantly, applicants must also meet the requirements of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Conditions of Mobility of Researchers. Researchers can be of any nationality and are required to undertake transnational mobility. This means that applicants cannot apply for a position in a country where they have lived more than 12 months in the last 3 years. To foster diversity in our research group, we will especially appreciate applications from the female candidates.

Selection process
Complete application in only one .pdf should include:
1) a one-page letter motivating a) why you want to be part of PhotoReAct; b) why are you applying for this specific position; c) why do you consider yourself a suitable candidate for this position;
2) a list of three achievements in your life that you are proud of;
3) a detailed CV listing education, work experience, publications, relevant other activities and coordinates of up to three referees;
4) an academic transcript of B.Sc. and M.Sc. education;
5) a copy of academic works such as papers or M.Sc. thesis;
6) a recommendation letter from your former supervisor

The Commission will take into account the following criteria:
a) competences of candidates for specific tasks in a research project,
b) previous scientific achievements of candidates,
c) awards and distinctions of the candidate resulting from the conducted research.
-The commission evaluates applications on a point scale.
- The fellowship will be awarded to the person who obtains the highest number of points.
- If the top candidate does not sign the contract, we reserve the right to choose the next candidate from the ranking list.

Additional comments
IMPORTANT!!! Please input your e-mail address as: "Recruitment - Dorota Gryko"

Web site for additional job details
https://ww2.icho.edu.pl/gryko_group/