Prof C Schalley
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Location: Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Christoph Schalley
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:
1) Gain expertise in modern mass spectrometric methods and gas-phase chemistry of noncovalent complexes (e.g. ionization and fragmentation methods, ion mobility MS etc.)
2) Learn about the types of non-covalent bonding depending on the environment under which they form (e.g. gas phase vs. solution).
3) Synthesis of capsules and cages based on calix[4]arene scaffolds as well as self-assembly (Academic Secondment).
4) Thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of capsule and complex formation.
5) Find out the importance of the industrial sector in research development (Industrial Secondment)
Expected Results:
The ESR will end the recruitment with having applied well-known gas-phase methods, but also with having developed new approaches to the gas-phase ion chemistry of non-covalent capsules and self-assembled cages. A thorough characterization of the capsules in solution and in the gas phase and in particular a comparison of both will add profound understanding of their behavior. Based thereon, capsule design and property prediction as well as the methodology for their characterization will advance significantly.
Planned secondment(s):
Academic secondment: Synthesis and characterization of calix[4]arene-based capsules in solution at ICHO PAN facilities (Poland).
Industrial Secondment: Six-month secondment at Mind the Byte facilities (Spain). ESR3 will acquire deep knowledge and know-how about computational simulations of the encapsulation systems in different situations to look for hypothetical applications.
Eligibility requirements
EU eligibility criteria for candidates: Candidates of any nationality, but in order to be eligible for the positions the following criteria applies to all applicants:
- The applicant shall at the time of recruitment be in the first four years of his/her research career and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
- The applicant must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in Germany for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment.
Candidates profile:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry with excellent academic transcripts. We are looking for highly motivated students with good communication skills
All candidates must prove full proficiency in spoken and written English (B2 certificate, TOEFL, or equivalent).
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].
Questions regarding the project can be sent to: [Email Address Removed]