Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN Early Stage Researcher Position at NOAH, ESR9 (Covestro, Germany) - New ways to encapsulate reactive components in polyurethane systems

Location: Covestro, Germany

Supervisor: Dr. Thomas Goergen, Dr. Christoph Irle, Dr. Stefanie Eiden

NOAH Research Programme
NOAH (network of functional molecular containers with controlled switchable abilities) is a European training network that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie action (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017). The general scientific aims of the NOAH research program are the development, characterisation and transfer to applications of different types of molecular containers.

NOAH aims to bring in a great variety of scientific attributes to the selected Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs), ranging from the experimental organic and inorganic synthesis to computational chemistry. Photo- and electro-chemistry, MS/gas-phase chemistry, X-ray diffraction and optical spectroscopy techniques will be also included in the scientific formation and development of the recruited ESRs.

The trainees will also receive education in complementary and transferable skills through attendance at local and network-wide dedicated training activities (e.g. dissemination, communication, organization, governance, ethics…). The training program includes the exposure of the ESRs to chemical research carried out in the non-academic sector by means of full recruitment or short stage secondments (6 months) in one of the four chemical European companies acting as industrial partners.

This is one of 10 Early-Stage Researcher (ESRs) positions offered by NOAH. Each ESR will benefit from a 36-month contract and will have the possibility to defend a PhD thesis at the end of their individual projects. Each PhD student will be hosted in a beneficiary institution and will receive additional training by undergoing relevant secondments at the industrial and other academic partners’ facilities.

Objectives of the individual project:
 You will be one of a total of 10 PhD students working within the EU wide NOAH Innovative Training Network (H2020-MSCA-ITN) framework.
 Research within NOAH over a total of 36 months will be focused on encapsulation of functional molecules and oligomers, as well as triggered release.
 Covestro offers to host one PhD student in our Leverkusen (Germany) site.
 Accordingly, research will be embedded into the global product development landscape of Covestro CAS.
 Apart from your individual research project, you will also benefit from a complementary training program, which includes scientific skills courses, transferable soft-skills courses, as well as network-wide training activities such as participation in schools, workshops and conferences.

Planned secondment(s):
Academic Secondment: This position includes a 9-months secondment in the Research Centre ICIQ,Tarragona (Spain).

Eligibility requirements
 You will be available to start working in October 2018 and will have an MSc degree in Organic or Polymer Chemistry, preferred in March 2018 or latest in September 2018.
 You are interested in working towards your PhD in Chemistry in a combined industry/ research institute environment.
 The positions are open for scientists from all nationalities.
 Recommendation letters are highly recommended but not mandatory.
 Following the guidelines of the ITN, you have spent less than 12 months during the last 3 years in Germany (for the Leverkusen based position) and you not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of selection in the same international organization in any other country.
 You offer full proficiency in English (B2 certificate).
 The full list of requirements of suited candidates within NOAH ITN, as well as the benefits for participating students, are available from the NOAH website.

Job conditions
- Appointment under full-time employment contract for a period of 36 months
- Competitive remuneration (Living Allowance = €3110/month (correction factor to be applied per country) + mobility allowance = €600/month + family allowance if applicable = €500/month). Monthly salary for the fellow before any deductions.
- Additional funding for participation at courses, workshops, conferences, etc.
- Enrollment in a Doctorate program with the possibility to lead to a PhD dissertation.
- Starting date: ESRs are expected to start from October 2018 (estimated time).

Questions regarding the recruitment can be sent to: [Email Address Removed].

All applications must be made via NOAH application form that you will find at the NOAH website (www.noah-itn.eu). We encourage you, however, to also upload your documents to Covestro website.