About the Project
Location: ICIQ, Spain
Supervisor: Prof. Pablo Ballester
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) Acquisition of expertise in synthetic and characterization procedures of calix[4]pyrrole capsules based on dynamic imine
covalent bonds (WP1).
2) Evaluate and study the self-assembly of the capsules in the presence/absence of a templating guest and their self-assembly
reversibility.
3) Characterize the prepared dynamic covalent capsules and their encapsulation processes by different techniques (NMR, HRMS, X-ray diffraction).
3) Gain experience in mass spectrometry techniques for quantitative thermodynamic measurements of his/her already prepared molecular capsules (Academic Secondment) (WP4).
4) Discover the power of computational methods in supramolecular chemistry.
5) Find out the importance of the industrial sector in research development (Industrial Secondment)
Expected Results:
The ESR is expected to develop a series of molecular assemblies based on dynamic covalent bonds able to operate in water or in organic solvents recognizing revenant guest (either biologically relevant or catalysts and initiators for adhesive formulation). In addition, she/he will demonstrate the switchable ability of some of the molecular capsules by an external stimulus (i.e. moisture, light incidence). Moreover, a complete characterization of the assemblies is expected: solid-state structures, thermodynamic, kinetic and photophysical characterization in solution, and gas-phase characterization.
Planned secondment(s):
Academic secondment: During his/her 3 months of secondment at FUB ESR10 will investigate the potential of mass spectrometry techniques for quantitative thermodynamic measurements on systems that show the most promise or most difficulty using other techniques.
Industrial Secondment : Six-months secondment at Covestro facilities in ChemPark in order to gain experience in industrial applications of capsules in coating materials (stability studies of the capsules in polyurethane matrices, determination of the new coating properties such as transparency, scratch resistance, adhesion tests, curing…).
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 Spain 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] or [Email Address Removed]
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