INSITUTE OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY PAS Team 18, Functional Polymers
NATIONAL SCIENCE CENTRE
Project title, type and project number
Application of photoredox catalysis in spatially controlled synthesis of conductive polymers, NCN OPUS-LAP 26 No. 2023/51/I/ST5/02601, 9/2025
Project leader
Dr Maciej Cieplak
Description
Conductive polymers found numerous applications so far. There are used in numerous electronic devices including, actuators, organic diodes, field-effect transistors, photovoltaic cells and sensors. Of particular interest are conductive polymeric materials due to their excellent properties. Conductive polymers may be synthetized by oxidation of proper monomers (thiophene, pyrrole, aniline etc.) and subsequent polycondensation. So far, this process is being realized using chemical oxidation, i.e. with iron salts or by electropolymerization. Both methods are very effective but they do not allow for a spatial control over the polymerization process. Moreover, it is worth mentioning that both methods require using harsh chemical conditions (strong oxidants) or a relatively high voltages applied to the electrodes (e.g. ≥1.7 V for simple thiophene). This can be disadvantageous in some applications, including entrapment of enzymes in polymers, imprinting of a fragile target molecule, construction of electronic devices etc. Therefore, new polymerization methods towards conductive materials that allow for milder conditions and spatial control are still highly demanded. Aforementioned conductive polymers may be applied in numerous devices including soft, foldable electronic devices i.e., foldable smartphones. The main goal is to propose novel catalytical processes of conductive polymers synthesis. For that purpose, new catalytical systems will be tested. We would like to find such system that will allow synthesis of conductive polymers in mild conditions. Finally, we will highlight usefulness of obtained conductive polymers by applying them in electrochemistry and selective chemosensing.
Number of vacancies
1
Key responsibilities include
• Synthesis of monomers
• Immobilization of catalysts on solid support
• Immobilization of catalysts on NPs
• Synthesis of conductive polymers
• Synthesis of core@shell NPs
Position in the project
POST DOC position
Job type
• Type of contract: temporary • Status: full-time employment • Hours Per Week: 40
Salary
Around 9650 PLN gross
Planned start of work in the project
1.05.2025
Planned period of contract/stipend agreement
12 months (with possible extension by another 12 months
We offer
We offer a post-doctoral position (full-time employment) in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a gross salary of Around 9650 PLN gross per month financed from the NCN Application of photoredox catalysis in spatially controlled synthesis of conductive polymers, NCN OPUS-LAP 26 No. 2023/51/I/ST5/02601
100% of the work time of Postdoc will be devoted to the realization of the proposed project. The offer is for 12 months (with possible extension by another 12 months.
Career development prospects at IPC PAS
The selected candidate will gain experience and knowledge in the preparation and characterization of conductive polymers and molecularly imprinted polymers. The project involves electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, nanotechnology, material science, organic synthesis, analytical and physical chemistry The successful candidate will be eligible for all programs at the IPC PAS, including the IPC PAS Young Scientists competition and the IPC PAS Young Scientists Mobility competition. Institute provides an opportunity to participate in ERASMUS+ programme.
Scientific profile of a candidate
Recognised Researcher (R2)
Requirements
1. PhD degree in chemical or physical sciences, obtained in the year of employment in the project or within 7 years before 1 January of the year of employment in the project. For researchers with multiple PhDs, the date of the first PhD award is deemed the reference date. Extension might apply according to National Science Centre, Poland, rules.
2. Publication record and rich scientific experience.
3. Ability to work independently as well as in a group.
4. Experience in organic synthesis, nanotechnology or surface modification
5. Experience in molecular imprinting or electrochemistry will be appreciated
6. Good proficiency in English speaking and writing
7. PhD obtained a doctoral degree from an entity other than the entity in which employment in this position is planned, or completed at least 10 months of continuous and documented postdoctoral internship in an entity other than the entity implementing the project and in a country other than the country in which the doctoral degree was obtained;
Key assessment criteria
• Competencies of candidates for specific tasks in a research project,
• Previous scientific achievements of candidates,
• Awards and distinctions of the candidate resulting from the conducted research
- Motivation letter/employment application;
- professional curriculum vitae;
- university degree diploma;
- PhD certificate;
- a list of scientific achievements (publications,
patents, conference presentations, etc.);
- at least one letter of recommendation written by
academics.
• The application deadline is on the 11th April 2025 , 12:00 noon Applications should be sent to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl. IMPORTANT! email subject: “Recruitment no 9/2025 ” (emails without this number will not be considered)
• Top candidates can be invited for an online or inperson interview 14-17th April 2025. We reserve the right to contact and reply to only selected candidates.
• The position will be offered to the person with the highest evaluation by the Recruitment Committee.
• The results of the recruitment are planned to be announced on the 26th April 2025.
• Employment will take place in accordance with the provisions of the competition documentation of the National Science Center (NSC) for the OPUS LAP 26, https://www.ncn.gov.pl/ogloszenia/konkursy/opus26 and Employment policy of the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS https://ichf.edu.pl/files/csr/ipcprocedures.pdf .
• The incomplete applications may not be considered
• The results of the competition are made public.
• Candidates who have been issued a negative opinion by the Competition Committee or candidates not selected for employment have the right to appeal against the results of the evaluation. The appeal shall be lodged with the Director of the Institute within 7 days from the date of receipt of the appropriate information. The decision of the Director of the Institute shall be final.
Appeals should be sent to the following email address: dzgran@ichf.edu.pl.
If the top candidate does not sign the contract due to the resignation, we reserve the right to choose the next candidate from the ranking list.
The successful candidate for the postdoctoral position shall, for the full term of their employment within the project, be obligated to maintain compliance with the following conditions: - their PhD degree has been awarded by another institution than the one planned to employ them at this post or they have completed a continuous and evidenced post-doctoral fellowship of at least 10 months in another institution than the host institution for the project and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred a PhD degree - when the remuneration is paid, they will be receiving no remuneration from the funds allocated as direct costs under research projects funded in NCN calls; - when the remuneration is paid, they will be receiving no remuneration from another employer pursuant to an employment contract, including an employer with registered office outside of Poland; and - when the remuneration is paid, they will be receiving no pension under the social insurance scheme.
Contact person: Dr Maciej Cieplak, mcieplak(at)ichf.edu.p Phone: 22 3433188
Name of the post and its definition in the meaning of the grant documentation
A post-doc position is a full-time position planned by the project manager for a person who obtained a doctoral degree in the year of employment in the project or in the period of 7 years before January 1 of the year of employment in the project18. This period may be extended by the time spent on long-term (over 90 days) documented sickness benefits or rehabilitation benefits in connection with incapacity for work. Additionally, this period may be extended by the number of months spent on leave related to the care and upbringing of children granted on the principles specified in the Labor Code, and in the case of women - by 18 months for each born or adopted child, if this method of indicating breaks in the scientific career is more advantageous.
Application deadline
11.04.2025 12:00
Planned date of settlement of the competition
26.04.2025
Send the application via the "Apply to the position" button, or to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl with the title 9/2025.
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