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The fixation of atmospheric nitrogen is one of the most important and challenging processes in chemistry, crucial for life and industry. While nature uses nitrogenases based on iron, vanadium, or molybdenum cofactors, synthetic systems still face fundamental obstacles in N₂ activation and functionalisation. Recent breakthroughs (e.g. Nature 2020, 584, 221) show novel ways of transforming dinitrogen into valuable products, highlighting the need for deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms.

Our group, with long-standing expertise in small molecule activation (O2, CO2, SO2) and design of metal–ligand systems, builds on this background to tackle N2 chemistry. The project focuses on the rational design, synthesis, and structural characterisation of multinuclear low-valent iron and vanadium complexes supported by tailored N,N-donor ligands. These model systems will allow us to probe the intimate steps of N2 activation, explore cooperative effects between multiple metal centres, and provide fundamental insights into possible new pathways for nitrogen transformations.

The PhD student will participate in the implementation of the project in close collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI) and the research team. Main duties will include:

•  Design, synthesis, and structural characterization of multinuclear homo- and heterometallic Fe and V complexes supported by bis(β-diketiminate) and bis(formamidine) ligands.

•  Synthesis of low-valent Fe and V complexes using a range of reducing agents and optimized reaction conditions.

•  Investigation of dinitrogen activation by selected low-valent Fe and V complexes stabilized by sterically demanding ligands.

•  Preparing research results for scientific publications and presenting project outcomes at seminars and conferences.    

•  Participation in high impact and timely research.

•  Access to unique technology and modern research laboratories.

•  Opportunity to work in a team of dedicated researchers and technologists.

•  Opportunity to advance scientific knowledge and gain hands-on experience at the border between theory and experiment.

•  Participation in international conferences.

We offer a scholarship  position  in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a gross salary of Around 4 000 PLN per month financed from the NCN project OPUS 23 entitled “Activation of Dinitrogen by Multinuclear Iron and Vanadium Complexes Supported by Linked Sterically Demanding N,N’-subunits” no 2022/45/B/ST4/03863.

 The stipend is planned for 6 months with possible extensions.   

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.

• active PhD student status in a doctoral school
• university degree in chemistry;
• experience in laboratory work in the field of inorganic, organometallic and coordination chemistry;
• strong experience with the use of a Schlenk line and/or glovebox, and manipulation involving air-sensitive compounds;
• knowledge of spectroscopic techniques: IR, NMR, UV-Vis, and/or basics of X-ray crystallography.

•  the candidate’s research achievements, including publications in prestigious academic press /journals (50% of the final score)

•  research-related achievements, scholarships, awards and research experience gained in Poland or abroad, research workshops and training courses, participation in research projects (20% of the final score)

•  the candidate’s competence to carry out specific tasks in the research project (30% of the final score)