The Fully-Funded PhD Programme offered by The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is aimed at exceptional graduate students from all over the world, to support their enrolment in a training and research programme in the field of chemistry, ultimately leading to the completion of a Doctoral Thesis in partnership with the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). The programme will also contribute to their professional career development, in the fields of academia and industry.

This objective is achieved by:

• The performance of an individual research project under the direction of an internationally renowned Group Leader, in a creative and stimulating scientific environment.
• Opportunities for short stays in distinguished international research institutions.
• Opportunities for complementary training in both technical and soft skills. Trainings are designed to ensure a successful career: weekly scientific seminars, hands-on training in the use of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, IP management, entrepreneurship, research integrity, knowledge and technology transfer, grant applications, project management, communication skills and career development.

The programme is addressed to highly qualified and talented graduate students with a keen interest in chemical research. Candidates should have an excellent academic record, strong commitment to scientific research and a solid working knowledge of English.

Admission to the programme is on a competitive basis.

I. Available positions: See Annex 1

II. Application process

The entire application process will be completed online. Applicants must apply by accessing ICIQ’s Career Portal. Applications sent by email or any other means will not be eligible.

Only one application per person will be considered. In case of multiple applications, only the first application submitted will be taken into consideration.

After completing the online form, applicants must attach the following documents:

• Required documentation
  1. A full Curriculum Vitae (in PDF format). It should include the academic background, work or research experience, publications, conferences, grants and awards, previous participation in ICIQ programmes, other relevant merits and references.
  2. A personal statement that describes the applicant’s academic background, research experience and career goals (maximum two DIN A4 pages, in PDF format). This is a very important section of the application process. The candidate must be able to communicate their interests and how these would align with ICIQ and a PhD training. Candidates should also mention the research group where they would like to carry out their PhD, and the reasons why they are interested in a particular group leader and their research project.
  3. Official transcripts of BSc and MSc studies in PDF format. A scanned copy of the certified academic record of the studies granting access to the PhD programme (BSc and MSc if available). In case that the MSc studies have not yet been completed at the time of the application, candidates must include details on the subjects in which they are currently enrolled (subject name and number of credits). For academic records not issued in Catalan, Spanish or English, a certified translation in English should be provided; otherwise, applications which do not include a certified translation of the academic record will be non-eligible and, therefore, not taken into consideration. For degrees obtained in foreign institutions, the academic record must include the range of marks used in the corresponding countries and the minimum mark to pass, as well as the hours or ECTS and marks for each subject.
  4. Contact details for letters of recommendation of two University professors or other relevant individuals who can assess the candidate’s potential for research. ICIQ will contact the people listed as references only in the event that a candidate is shortlisted. We suggest informing your references.
  5. English proficiency level: Applicants must provide evidence of their proficiency in written and oral communication in the English language. Preferably, by the submission of a B2 certificate, First Certificate, IELTS 6 or equivalent. This certificate is not mandatory but desirable, and alternatively late stage candidates will be interviewed to assess their English level. Applicants from Anglosphere (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) are exempt from this requirement.

Please note that documents sent in hard copy cannot be processed.

Applicants should select only ONE PhD supervisor.

Once the application has been successfully completed, an acknowledgement e-mail will be automatically sent. Candidates must ensure that all the required documentation is included before submitting the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

III. Eligibility and evaluation criteria

The programme is open to graduate students, from any nationality that fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

1. Candidates must have a Master’s or an equivalent degree in the areas of Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines that must be completed by the time of enrolment in the PhD programme.

When in doubt regarding the eligibility criteria, applicants should contact ICIQ’s People unit at positions@iciq.es prior to submission of the application.

Candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria will be evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria:

1. Curriculum vitae.
2. Personal statement.
3. Academic marks.
4. English level.
5. Personal interview for short-listed candidates.

IV. Evaluation and Selection Process

The evaluation and selection of the candidates will be performed by the project supervisor supported by the People unit team, and following the below procedure:

1. Submitted applications will be checked for eligibility and those not fulfilling all the criteria will be rejected. It won’t be possible to modify the application or to add missing documentation after the application has been submitted.
2. The selection will be based on the evaluation criteria described in Section III.
3. At the late stages of the selection process, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for a personal interview.
4. All applicants will be notified of the final selection decision by April of 2024. The name of the awardees will be published on ICIQ’s website.

Successful candidates will be requested to inform ICIQ whether they accept or decline the offer within five business days after being notified. The offer will be considered declined in the event that the applicant does not respond during this time.

ICIQ follows in its selection process a gender equality opportunity policy and a non-discrimination policy on the basis of age, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language and disability.

ICIQ is committed to promoting a work-life balance for its employees and, as such, offers flexible working hours.

V. Grant Conditions

1. The awardees of an ICIQ Fully-Funded PhD position will be considered research personnel in training and they will have an employment contract (a pre-doctoral contract) which is regulated in the Spanish Law 14/2011, of June 1^st, of Science, Technology and Education.
2. Pre-doctoral contracts are renewed annually for up to 4 years. Renewal is subject to satisfactory performance in the PhD studies and related research activities.
3. The gross yearly salary of the contract shall be split into 12 monthly payments and distributed as shown below:

• First and Second year of PhD: 17.737,84€ /year
• Third year of PhD: 19.004,83€ /year
• Fourth year of PhD: 23.756,04€ /year

1. The fellowship includes full social security coverage through the Spanish Social Security system, providing access to the Spanish public health care system and pension and unemployment benefits.
2. The grant holder is entitled to temporarily interrupt the fellowship in the following situations: temporary disability, risk during pregnancy, maternity, paternity and adoption or foster care. The time elapsed during this interruption will not be accounted for against the total time.
3. The contract will take effect on the date when the awarded student joins the centre.
4. The Fully-Funded PhD includes the costs of enrolment in the PhD programme. These costs will be paid by each beneficiary to the university, and later they will be refunded by ICIQ. The PhD thesis has to be completed within 4 years.
5. The PhD awardees will work full-time at ICIQ and may not receive any other fellowship or regular income.
6. The Fully-Funded PhD position is incompatible with any other fellowship with the same purpose.

Calendar

Annex 1: Available positions

Supervisor: Dr. José A. Berrocal (iciq.org)

Project: Development of polymer materials incorporating photo- and mechano-responsive molecules for sensing applications.

Number of positions: 1

Reference: PhD 2024-01 JB

Supervisor: Prof. Julio Lloret-Fillol (iciq.org)

Project: Harnessing Light for Advanced Reductive Cross-Coupling Catalysis.

Number of positions: 1

Reference: PhD 2024-02 JLL

Supervisor: Prof. Núria López (iciq.org)

Project: Machine Learning for the Analysis of Experimental Data.

Number of positions: 1

Reference: PhD 2024-03 NL

Supervisor: Prof. Ruben Martin (iciq.org)

Project: Ni-catalyzed asymmetric carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions.

Number of positions: 1

Reference: PhD 2024-04 RM

Supervisor: Prof. Marcos G. Suero (iciq.org)

Project: New catalytic carbyne transfer.

Number of positions: 1

Reference: PhD 2024-05 MGS

Supervisor: Dr. Katherine Villa

Project: Light-driven nanorobots for Removal of Biological Agents.

Number of positions: 1

Reference: PhD 2024-06 KV

Description of the project:

The overarching goal of the project is to develop stimuli-responsive polymeric materials, namely plastics that change properties upon application of external stimuli. In particular, this project focuses on developing smart plastics that can sense and "communicate" the exposure to light of an appropriate wavelength and, more importantly, the application of mechanical force. The force-sensing capability can be achieved by covalently incorporating mechanophores, molecules that possess chemical bonds labile to mechanical force, into macromolecules.

Our research group develops mechanophores that communicate the application of mechanical force on polymers (in solid state or in solution) through color changes (absorption of light in the visible) or through fluorescence. Depending on the design of the mechanophore being used, the force-sensing function can be further exploited to activate latent chemical functions (such as catalysis, release of pharmacologically active molecules, induce pH changes, ...) or induce changes on the mechanical properties of the material (strain/stress-strengthening behavior, for example).

In the context of this project, we are particularly interested in developing two research applications that exploit the mechanical stimulation of polymers:

1) Converting atmospheric moisture into fresh water (i.e., atmospheric water harvesting).

2) Inducing the complete depolymerization of plastics into its basic constituents (monomers or building blocks) (i.e., closed-loop recycling).

Tasks to be performed by the PhD student:

• Synthesis of photoresponsive small molecules
• Study of the structure-property relationships on the photoswitching behavior
• Incorporation of the latter in polymer materials via different polymerization techniques (UV curing, RAFT, ATRP, click chemistry, …)
• Characterization of the thermal and mechanical properties of the realized polymer materials (techniques: DSC, TGA, DMA; tensile properties, …)
• Investigation of the responsive behaviour of these polymers upon irradiation with light, and under mechanical deformation (with a in house built setup that combines instruments providing optical and mechanical properties)
• Update the group/supervisor on latest results in the form of presentation and written reports
• Active participation in discussion meetings and brainstorming sessions.

Preferred skills or background:

• Masters degree in Chemistry or Polymer Chemistry
• Previous experience in synthesis of macromolecules or small organic molecules, and/or background in photoswitches, supramolecular chemistry, or physical organic chemistry.
• Ability to work independently but also in teams, due to the interdisciplinarity of the project.
• At least an intermediate level of English (B1 or higher).
• Willingness to undergo a robust training in soft skills (e.g., scientific writing and communication) and mentoring (e.g., organization skills and career planning), which the supervisor commits to provide.

Description of the project:

The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) invites applications for a PhD position under the supervision of Prof. Julio Lloret Fillol. This project focuses on the cutting-edge field of photocatalysis, specifically exploring light-induced mechanisms for reductive cross-coupling reactions. The primary aim is to develop novel catalysts that facilitate the transformation of inert feedstocks into valuable products. This research will contribute to the advancement of sustainable chemical processes.

In this context, the objective of the project is to develop robust and effective, photo- and electrocatalysts guided by rational design towards the selective transformation of C-X bonds to form C-C and C-heteroatom couplings. The project will involve training in synthesis under strictly controlled conditions. And the development of synthetic methodologies, high-throughput experimental techniques, analytical electrochemistry and electrosynthesis. Mechanistic studies will be performed by a combination of electrochemistry, advanced spectroscopy, and labelling. Also, computational studies will also be performed.

In this project, our objective is to selective transform innert C-X bonds (X = Cl or F) into C-C and C-heteroatom couplings. To this end, we will engineer robust and efficient photocatalysts and electrocatalysts through rational design. The project encompasses encompasses comprehensive training in synthesis under rigorously controlled conditions, along with the refinement of synthetic methodologies. We will also focus on the application of high-throughput experimental techniques, along with analytical electrochemistry and electrosynthesis. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we will conduct a series of mechanistic studies employing a reactivity, electrochemistry, advanced spectroscopic methods, and isotopic labelling techniques. Furthermore, the project will integrate computational studies to augment our experimental approaches.

Tasks to be performed by the PhD student:

The selected candidate will:

1.- Conduct research on the development of innovative (photo)electrocatalysts.

2.- Perform experimental work involving reaction screening (HTE) and analysis using common laboratory techniques and analytical tools (NMR, IR, GC, HPLC, etc.).

3.- Engage in the mechanistic study of photocatalytic processes by mechanistic probes, spectroelectrochesmitry and transient absorption spectroscopy.

4.- Collaborate in multidisciplinary research, potentially involving computational chemistry.

5.- Prepare scientific reports and articles for publication in international journals.

Preferred skills or background:

• degree in chemistry or chemical engineering.
• High motivation, responsibility, creativity, and dedication.
• Experience or strong interest in the development of synthetic methods by (photo)electrocatalytic processes and mechanistic elucidation.
• Familiarity with standard laboratory techniques, analytical tools (NMR, IR, GC, HPLC etc), and reaction screening conditions.
• Knowledge in organic, inorganic, and computational chemistry is advantageous.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken, for scientific communication and publication.

Description of the project:

The student will employ the most advanced machine learning techniques to deconvolute and map the computational results to tridimensional structures for active materials. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the best experimental groups in Europe.

Tasks to be performed by the PhD student:

Simulations for the processes or systems to be investigated

Analyzing the data with ML tools

Writing drafts and preparing visual material

Preferred skills or background:

Computer Science

Physics

Physical Chemistry

Description of the project: The project aims at streamlining the access to new molecular architectures by means of Ni-catalyzed asymmetric cross-coupling reactions. Such processes offer the advantage of enabling transformations with control of the site-selectivity and enantioselectivity of the process from simple precursors.

Tasks to be performed by the PhD student: The student will be involved in the following tasks: (1) optimization of reaction conditions; (2) study of the reaction scope; (3) mechanistic studies to elucide the pathway by which the reactions take place; (4) application of the technology to late-stage diversification

Preferred skills or background: Previous experience in asymmetric catalysis, nickel-catalyzed reactions, optimization of reaction conditions and synthetic organic endeavors.

Description of the project:

Description of the project: The art of organic synthesis and reaction discovery relies on logic-guided thought processes that often involve hypovalent carbon reactive species and their corresponding stabilized equivalent forms. However, not all of the possible carbon reactive intermediates and their reactivity rules have attracted the same attention by the synthetic community. This is mainly because of the perception of the lack of synthetic utility and importantly, because of the challenges associated with controlling its extreme reactivity and lack of efficient sources. The main goal of this project is to invent and develop new chemical reactions based on equivalents of carbyne species –the monovalent carbon species–, and exploit them as molecular editing tools to reach previously unattainable chemical space with applications in natural product synthesis, organometallic chemistry, late-stage functionalization of complex molecular architectures, PET imaging and material science.

Tasks to be performed by the PhD student: the main task is to discover new synthetic concepts with through the activation of C-H and C-C bonds.

Preferred skills or background: We are looking for top-caliber PhD students with a Bachelor and Master Degrees in chemistry and a background in synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis or organometallic chemistry. The student will work in a state-of-the-art laboratory equipped with advance analytical tools (GC-MS, UHPLC-MS, SFC-MS), automated flash chromatography systems, photoreactors, electrochemistry kits, high-throughput experimentation facilities, etc.

Description of the project: