Doctoral Researcher/Student in Organic and Supramolecular Chemistry

 The position is fully funded for four years by the European Research Council (ERC Consolidator Grant project ProteoKnot) starting June 1^st 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Tasks and responsibilities

The doctoral researcher/student will work in the group of Associate Professor Fabien Cougnon at the NanoScience Center. The group is specialized in the development of new strategies to access entangled molecules, such as molecular knots. Relevant publications can be found on https://cougnonlab.com/. The goal of this particular project is to construct increasingly complex knotted macromolecules with protein-like functions. The doctoral researcher/student will synthesize oligophenylene strands engineered to self-assembly into multi-stranded helices, which will serve as precursors towards multiply-entangled knots and catenanes.

Qualifications we are looking for

Previous experience in supramolecular chemistry and/or multi-steps organic synthesis is preferable.

The doctoral researcher/student will be expected to actively participate in group meetings, high-level publishing, and undergraduate students’ supervision. The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of a doctoral researcher/student are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. Excellent communication skills in English, both written and spoken, are required.

The eligible candidate has or is about to obtain before the start of the contract, a MsC degree in chemistry (or equivalent). In addition, the Doctoral Researcher/Student must have a permission for post-graduate studies at the University of Jyväskylä. If the applicant does not have permission for post-graduate studies, it must be applied with a separate application procedure from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science after selection for the position. 

What does the University of Jyväskylä offer as an employer?

At the University of Jyväskylä you are a recognized member of our community with a unique opportunity to influence international research. You get to participate in our international and multi-science community where the welfare of each individual is important. Finland has a high standard of living, with free schooling (also in English), affordable childcare, good family benefits, and healthcare. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland in the Finnish Lakeland, and has excellent opportunities for different nature, outdoor, and sports activities. The city of Jyväskylä is a major educational center and the city has a large student population. As such there is a vibrant cultural scene in the city. At Jyväskylä we offer a great and lively university campus area with opportunities to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. To find useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide. 

Chemistry department and nanoscience center offer an excellent, up-to-date research environment and supportive work atmosphere, where interdisciplinary collaboration is cherished.

The annual salary will be approximately 28,000 EUR for the Doctoral Researcher/Student (gross income, including holiday bonus). As the thesis work progresses, the salary will be revised in accordance with the Collective Agreement of Finnish Education Employers. A trial period of six months will be used in the beginning of the employment.

How to apply

The application should include in PDF-format:

1. A curriculum vitae, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity and including contact details of 1-2 referees.
2. An informal motivation/cover letter (maximum 1 page) focusing on the applicant’s research interests related to the department’s strength areas and research groups. Additionally, state clearly the reason or motivation on why you are applying to the Chemistry Department of the University of Jyväskylä.
3. Relevant certificates/diplomas. If the degree is not ready by the application submission, study record must be provided.

Applicants are kindly asked to submit their applications using the online application form by March 12^th, 2023.

For further information, please contact Associate Professor Fabien B.L. Cougnon, fabien.b.l.cougnon@jyu.fi, phone +358 50 477 0940.

 

The University of Jyväskylä is a human-centered environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for all. JYU's naturally beautiful campus is located in the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.

The main strength areas of the department are structural and synthetic chemistry, computational chemistry and spectroscopy, renewable natural resources and chemistry of living environment, and education in chemistry. Moreover, the department is a member of the Nanoscience Center of University of Jyväskylä, which promotes interdisciplinary research projects in nanoscience. The department has world-class laboratory infrastructure and large-scale computational resources.

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