A PhD post is available in the project “Electroreductions of C=O bonds catalyzed by borohydrides” at the University of Göttingen’s Faculty of Chemistry, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Inke Siewert.
The German Research Foundation (DFG) is supporting the position, which will be available for three years starting on April 1, 2024.
Open position: Applications are invited for the post of a (65% E13 TV-L, limited contract of 3 years, earliest starting date February 1, 2024) in physical organic chemistry at Göttingen University.
The position is at the Institute for Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen. The group of Prof. Dr. Konrad Koszinowski is responsible for this position.
The PhD candidate’s research will concentrate on comprehending how solvation affects chemical reactivity.
To do this, several model reactions will be looked at in three different settings: in a bulk solution, with individual solvent molecules present (micro-solvated systems in the gas phase), and with no solvent present at all (gas phase).
A variety of techniques, including gas-phase chemistry and cutting-edge multi-stage mass spectrometry, will be employed in the studies.
Next, a comparison with the predictions of quantum chemical computations will be made between the acquired results.
At the intersection of contemporary physical, organic, and quantum chemistry, the Research Training Group BENCh (Benchmark experiments for numerical quantum chemistry) will provide an exciting scientific setting for the PhD studies. For additional details, please refer to the Koszinowski group webpage.
Study Area: Proton-coupled electron transfer processes are the electrochemical synthesis method used in this study to create borohydrides.
The study looks at how to make and describe molecular boron compounds, focusing on how they can be used in uniform C=O double bond electroreduction and how they react with electricity in PCET.
Numerous spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques are used in the investigation of solutions.
Scholarship Description: The successful applicant from the University of Alberta will work in Prof. Dr. Siewert’s group and collaborate with Prof. Eric Rivard’s group.
Understanding the mechanism of electrochemical C=O double bond reduction in main-group compounds is the aim of this research.
The candidate is expected to participate in the structured PhD program, speak at conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and demonstrate fluency in English.
Qualifications: Candidates ought to possess:
- You possess a master’s degree in chemistry or are in the final stages of obtaining one.
- You speak English fluently.
- Your knowledge of organic and organometallic chemistry and synthesis is extensive.
- You also have a solid understanding of mass spectrometry, kinetic measurements, and computational chemistry, to name a few.
- You possess a strong drive to acquire additional knowledge regarding the elements governing chemical reactivity.
- You find teamwork enjoyable.
Required Documents: Applicants must submit:
- Curriculum vitae.
- Motivation letter.
- List of publications (if applicable).
- Certificate of education or academic transcript.
- Letter of recommendation.
The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunity workplace that prioritizes helping women advance in their careers. Therefore, it is highly recommended that qualified women apply to fields where they are underrepresented.
The university assists its staff in striking a balance between work and family life as part of its commitment to becoming a family-friendly establishment.
Hiring more people with severe disabilities is the university’s objective. Applications from people with severe disabilities who meet the same requirements will be given priority.
Application process: Please submit your application materials by December 31, 2023, to Prof. Konrad Koszinowski (kkoszin@gwdg.de), putting “BENCh application PhD solvent effects“ in the subject line.
The materials should include your CV, motivation letter, academic transcripts and certificates, publication list, and two references combined into a single PDF document.
Please email us at konrad.koszinowski@chemie.uni-goettingen.de if you have any questions.
Note: You agree to the processing of your applicant data in accordance with data protection law by submitting your application. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has more details.