PhD position Sustainable Organic Chemistry (Organic Synthesis/Green Chemistry)

You will be working towards your PhD degree in the Maes group of the division Organic Synthesis (ORSY) of the Department of Chemistry. The Maes group is a partner in the Centre of Excellence CASCH and the Valorization Platform InSusChem of the University of Antwerp. Your research project will deal with the development of new catalytic methodologies to transform biorenewable platform molecules into building blocks for the chemical industry. This research fits in the framework of the interdisciplinary and interuniversity iBOF project “Engineered carbon surfaces for sustainable catalysis” in collaboration with KULeuven.

As a holder of a master diploma with a very good theoretical and practical knowledge of organic synthetic chemistry you will develop novel catalysts based on carbon surfaces (such as graphene and its derivatives) and investigate applications of these catalysts towards transformation of bio-renewable platform molecules using several classes of organic reactions. Extensive interaction with professors at the partner university KULeuven, specialized in the characterization of surfaces at nanoscale, modelling and heterogeneous catalysis is foreseen. Willingness to travel occasionally between Antwerp and Leuven (50 km distance) is therefore required.

The University of Antwerp (Flanders, Belgium) is an autonomous and pluralistic institution, supporting a democratic and multicultural society, and is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Antwerp is a young dynamic academic institution for internationally recognized, innovative and pioneering research. Special attention is given to the training of students, and to the innovation of teaching programs.  

The ideal candidate for this position holds a master degree in chemistry or master degree in bioscience engineering (option chemistry) with hands-on experience in analytical separation techniques, mass spectrometry, preparative purification techniques, and structural characterization of organic molecules. The ability to work in a team as well as good communication/writing skills and a good mastery of the English language are required. Interest in multidisciplinary research is a strong advantage.