PhD student positions “Studying molecularly-modified catalysts by combining solid-state NMR spectroscopy with computer simulations”

The research groups of Dr. Alexis Bordet (Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim/Ruhr), Prof. Dr. Maria Fyta (Computational Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University) and Prof. Dr. Thomas Wiegand (MPI CEC and Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University) are looking for two enthusiastic

PhD students (m/f/d) for studying molecularly-modified catalysts by combining solid-state NMR spectroscopy with computer simulations.

Topic. 

The permanent evolution of catalytic technologies is of crucial importance to cope with the rise of alternative renewable energy sources and chemical feedstocks. Thus, extensive efforts in science and technology are currently dedicated to the development of multifunctional catalytic systems possessing improved properties. In this context, the development of catalytic systems composed of metal nanoparticles (NPs) on molecularly-modified surfaces (MMSs) have attracted tremendous attention in the field of materials chemistry in recent years, especially for applications in catalysis where it opened a conceptually new strategy for the design of multifunctional catalysts (NPs@MMSs) with tailor-made reactivity. While the interest of NPs@MMS materials as multifunctional catalysts for synthesis applications is clear, significant efforts are still required to fully unlock their potential, since the fundamental understanding of the molecular interactions between the different catalyst components and their implications in catalysis currently remains largely elusive In that vein, we plan to combine synthetic tools and analytical characterization using solid-state NMR spectroscopy with computer simulations using the example of supported-ionic liquid phases. The focus of position 1 will be the synthesis of the catalysts and their state-of-the art analytical characterization by solid-state NMR (supervision by Bordet and Wiegand). The aim of position 2 will be to explore computational simulations and advanced solid-state NMR strategies in unravelling structural and dynamic properties of the catalysts (supervision by Fyta and Wiegand).

Prerequisites. 

Successful candidates should have a science education in chemistry or physics and a strong interest in chemical synthesis and spectroscopic techniques (position 1) or in computational modelling and solid-state NMR (position 2).

How to apply. 

Your complete application (1 file) should contain a curriculum vitae (CV) and the names of two professional references whom we may contact. The application should be sent to alexis.bordet(at)cec.mpg.de and wiegand(at)itmc.rwth-aachen.de (for position 1) or to wiegand(at)itmc.rwth-aachen.de and mfyta(at)biotec.rwth-aachen.de (for position 2). We are looking forward to getting to know you! The starting date is flexible, the position is open from July 2025. Deadline for application is June 30th.

Questions. 

For further information regarding the available positions, please contact Prof. Dr. Wiegand directly by e-mail wiegand(at)itmc.rwth-aachen.de.