The project aims to develop new approaches for the investigation of reaction mechanisms. You will learn and later improve our strategies to trap and characterise reaction intermediates in organometallic reactions by mass spectrometry. In addition, you will investigate the reactions by NMR spectroscopy, GC chromatography and by UV-vis spectrometry. You will focus on homogeneous nickel-catalysed reactions involving activation of small molecules such as CO2. The project will run within the framework of the NWO start-up grant awarded to Prof. Roithova. For relevant literature, see: Acc. Chem. Res. 2016, 49, 223; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 2757; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201906293.

• Master’s degree in chemistry (good knowledge of organic and physical chemistry).
• Curiosity to explore new reactions and new approaches in chemistry.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Good communication skills in English.

Fixed-term contract: You will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.

• Employment: 40 hours per week.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,325 per month, and will increase to €2,972 in the fourth year (P scale).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: You will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent and collaboration. You have a part to play!

Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde & Informatica

The research project will be carried out in the group of Prof. Roithova at the Institute for Molecules and Materials of Radboud University. The Roithova group is housed in the Huygens Building with access to chemical laboratories, all standard analytical equipment, and a computer cluster for theoretical calculations. In addition, the group is equipped with a cryotrapping ion spectroscopy experiment, IR and UV-vis OPOs and several mass spectrometers dedicated to mechanistic research.