In het kort
De link om te solliciteren staat in de vacaturetekst.
Department
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Organisation
Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, University of Groningen, V25.0292
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.
Requirements
We are looking for enthusiastic and talented candidates with:
- A MSc degree in chemistry or a related field.
- A clear interest in collaborative multidisciplinary research.
- A strong academic performance.
- A proactive attitude and excellent interpersonal skills.
- A high level of proficiency in written and spoken English.
Experience in synthetic organic chemistry, organic photochemistry and/or supramolecular chemistry is a plus.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To comply with EU funding rules for this project, you cannot have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 3 years prior to the 16th of June 2025.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see the University of Groningen’s English Language Requirements for details.
Conditions of employment
Contract length: 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.
Job Application
If you meet our qualification criteria and have not resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the last 3 years, you are invited to upload the following documents: - a cover letter stating your motivation to apply for the position and your key competencies relevant for this position - an up-to-date CV, including details of your BSc and MSc degrees - copies of your diplomas and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc) - contact information of two academic references You may apply for this position until the 16th of June 2025, 11:59 PM Dutch local time (CEST) by means of the electronic application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website). The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/policy-and-strategy/diversity-and-inclusion/ Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/nl/sollicitatiecode and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code We provide career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.
Additional information
For additional information, please contact:
Dr. Alexander Ryabchun
[email protected]
Lotte Stindt
[email protected]
Prof. Ben Feringa
[email protected]
In your application, please always include the job opening ID V25.0292
Extra informatie kan worden verkregen via een van de volgende links:
The art of building small - Ben Feringa Research Group Stratingh Institute for Chemistry | Research | University of Groningen (rug.nl)
