Job description
We are looking for two PhD candidates for a project within the Doctoral Network “MonaLisa”, a consortium of 20 partners composed of high-profile universities, research institutions and companies located across 5 European countries. MonaLisa is at the forefront of artificial molecular machine research, setting the stage for breakthroughs in chemical synthesis, nanotechnology, medical treatment and smart materials. Building on the foundational work recognised by the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, MonaLisa aims to make groundbreaking discoveries in the design and functional control of molecular machines that will lead to demonstrations with practical relevance.
Specifically, this project in the group of prof. Feringa aims to address two key challenges: 1) How can we amplify the work of molecular motors to achieve actuating materials? 2) How can we bias Brownian motion through cooperative effects and amplify directed functional mobility in solution?
To tackle the first challenge, several approaches will be explored to design motor-based materials that enable amplification of motion along length scales and allow collective motion to operate in artificial muscles and liquid crystalline actuating materials. Another major challenge is enabling motors to function in aqueous media, which opens up numerous opportunities for integrating motors with biological systems, i.e. to design responsive biohybrid materials.
For the second challenge, achieving cooperative effects by the controlled organisation of a large collection of molecular motors, one approach involves embedding molecular rotary motors in reticular framework materials, such as metal organic or covalent organic frameworks (MOFs and COFs). This could lead to responsive adsorption, transport and release triggered non-invasively by light. Another intriguing avenue is to assemble molecular motors covalently on surfaces without compromising their rotary motor function to achieve propulsion. Such proof-of-principle demonstrations will be a major step towards autonomously operating artificial molecular machines.
Organisation
The positions we are offering will be within the group of prof. Ben Feringa, embedded within the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, which is part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at the University of Groningen.
The University of Groningen, established in 1614, is one of the oldest and largest research universities in the Netherlands, offering diverse programs across various disciplines. Located in the lively and historic provincial capital, the university has a vibrant international community, with students and staff from all over the world contributing to a dynamic and multicultural environment. Due to its innovative research initiatives and high-quality education, the University of Groningen is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.
The mission of the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry is to perform excellent research and teaching in molecular and supramolecular chemistry. It focuses on a broad range of topics, including synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, chemical biology, molecular inorganic chemistry, systems chemistry and materials science. The institute fosters an interdisciplinary approach, encouraging collaboration between researchers from different fields to drive innovation and address complex scientific challenges.
The research programme of the Feringa group focuses on synthetic and physical organic chemistry, inspired by Nature's principles of molecular assembly, recognition, transport, motion, and catalysis. The goal is to create new structures and functions, with an emphasis on molecular switches and motors, dynamic molecular systems, responsive materials, photopharmacology and biohybrid systems. The group also develops novel stereoselective synthesis methods and asymmetric catalysis. Chirality is a leading theme, and over the years, a unique and broad expertise in fundamental aspects of stereochemistry has been acquired including chiroptical phenomena, chiral amplification and the origin of chirality.
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 48 months.
We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:
- A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the fourth and final year, based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE).
- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
- An 8.3% year-end bonus.
- A position for four years; you will get a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years; prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.
- A university PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.
The starting date is flexible, but must be before December 2025.