Are you interested in catalysis and sustainable chemistry? Do you aim to make industry more sustainable? Are you looking for a challenging PhD project, then we may have the ideal position for you. In the HomKat-group that is at the forefront in the field of homogeneous catalysis, we are looking for motivated PhD students, who under the direct supervision of Prof. Bas de Bruin will develop new methods for photoactivated polymer crosslinking, for amongst others paint applications. The position is at the interface of In these positions you work at the interface of synthesis, polymer chemistry, homogeneous catalysis, carbene chemistry and photochemistry. You will work at the UvA in Amsterdam, but in close collaboration with scientists from AkzoNobel in Sassenheim.

What are you going to do?
As PhD student you will be part of the HomKat group (www.homkat.nl), providing a stimulating environment with knowledge in the area of homogeneous catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, and photochemistry. In the subgroup of Bas de Bruin, you will develop novel catalysts and crosslinking methods for improved, photolatent polymer crosslinking. The new methods will rely on carbene chemistry, photochemistry, upconversion nanoparticles and homogeneous catalysis. For the analysis of the results we utilize advanced techniques such as (spectro-) electrochemistry, NMR, EPR, UV/vis, IR spectroscopy, DLS, DSC, GPC. The envisioned research is highly interdisciplinary with several promising potential applications. The PhD candidate has sufficient freedom to shape the project in the direction of the experience and or interest of the candidate. The working conditions are excellent with state-of-the-art research facilities.

• MSc degree in chemistry or chemical engineering;
• A strong background in (in)organic chemistry, synthesis and/or homogeneous catalysis;
• Practical experience in one or more of the following: organic/inorganic synthesis, structural characterization (NMR, MS and/or XRD, PXRD), electrochemistry and/or spectroscopy (UV-vis, emission, spectro-electrochemistry)
• Excellent communication skills in English;
• Candidates should be self-motivated, eager to learn.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years) and 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 position is available now, we will recruit until a suitable candidate has been found.

Based on a full-time contract (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from € 2,770.- in the first year to € 3,539.- (scale P) in the last year. 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.

The UvA offers excellent possibilities for further professional development and education. Curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits? Take a look here

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 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 University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavour & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organised into four themes: Sustainable Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Photonics.