PhD Positions Electro/Photo-Catalytic Strategies for Sustainable Selective Synthesis

Are you worried about climate change? Do you want to make a significant contribution to making our world more sustainable? Are you interested in developing new, clean and efficient methods for chemical synthesis using catalysis, photochemistry and electrochemistry?

In the Homkat group at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in we currently have two PhD positions available to explore research at the forefront of catalysis. The topic of both positions involves 'Electrochemical and Photo-Redox Functionalisation and Conversion'. The aim of these projects is to shift the paradigm of chemical synthesis by coupling redox catalysis to an additional, renewable energy source, thereby enhancing the sustainability, safety and energy-preservation of chemical synthesis. New chemistry will be developed for chemical applications of the future with improved redox economy, making use of green electrons/holes and novel direct functionalisation protocols, with the aim to align with the availability of cheap electrical energy sources.

The research projects are embedded within a multilateral project of the ARC CBBC, which has the ambition to establish The Netherlands as a world player in development of new and sustainable reactivity through redox catalysis.

What are you going to do

PhD position 1: You will develop sustainable electro- and photocatalytic methods for carbene- and nitrene-transfer catalysis from cheap and safe reagents (amines, malonic esters, aliphatic azides, ammonia) for synthetic applications in C‒H and C=C bond functionalisation reactions.

PhD position 2: You will develop sustainable supramolecular approaches in photoredox catalysis for sustainable functionalisation reactions, typically via C‒H activation and leading to C‒C, C‒N or C‒O coupling of two fragments.

Both projects have dual, applied and fundamental, character. You will explore various new concepts in electro- and photoredox catalysis. Besides that, you will explore mechanistic aspects of these reactions using spectroscopic studies (EPR, NMR, IR/Raman, etc.), kinetic studies and computational investigations, which is key importance to advance these new fields in catalysis.

What do we require of you

• a MSc. degree in chemistry with a substantial experimental synthetic chemistry;
• applicants with experience in or affinity with electrochemistry, photochemistry supramolecular chemistry and coordination chemistry/catalysis have a clear advantage;
• ability to collaborate and adapt in an international team;
• good communication skills in oral and written English.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of four years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of four years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. 

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,395 to €3,061gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here .

About us

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam. (UvA). HIMS performs internationally recognized research in molecular sciences, both curiosity as well as application driven. This is partly done in cooperation with the chemical, energy, flavour & food, medical and high-tech industries. The research groups of HIMS are organised into four themes: Synthesis and Catalysis, Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Photonics. Within the Synthesis and catalysis cluster, the Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis (HomKat ) group is looking for two talented PhD students. These students will perform their research in the laboratory of the HOMKAT group, also in collaboration as part of a bigger national team of researchers financed by the Advanced Research Center Chemical Building Blocks Consortium (ARC CBBC).

The HomKat group is part of the UvA’s Sustainable Chemistry Research Priority Area  (RPA SusChem). The general aim of the research performed within the HomKat group is the development of new catalysts for known and new important conversions, a challenge that we like to approach in a multidisciplinary fashion. Important issues that are involved in these catalytic conversions comprise of the atom-efficiency, the chemo-, regio-, and stereo-selectivity, and of course the activity and the stability of the catalyst. In addition to these aspects, we also investigate new solutions to the problem of homogeneous catalyst separation and recycling. New catalytic processes are being developed that connected to the challenges involved in the transition to a sustainable society based on a sustainable energy.

Questions

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation? Please contact:

• Prof. dr. J.N.H. Reek
• Prof. dr. B. de Bruin

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise 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.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 7 August 2021. You can apply online by using the link below.  We will recruit until a suitable candidate is found and close the vacancy thereafter.

Applications in .pdf should include:

• a motivation letter and CV, including a list of publications,

Please mention the months (not just years) in your CV when referring to your education and work experience.

no agencies please

#LI-DNP