University of Groningen

Job description

We are looking for a PhD candidate in the group of Prof. A. J. Minnaard, who leads a natural product synthesis group at the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry (see: minnaardgroup.nl). The project is entitled “selective modification of unprotected carbohydrates.”

Carbohydrates (sugars) are ubiquitous in the living cell and fulfill essential roles. Carbohydrates are also used as building blocks in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, natural products and in general as renewable starting materials. The group contributes significantly to recent developments in (photoredox) catalysis and electrochemistry that allow modification of carbohydrates in a site-selective manner without protecting groups.

This PhD project aims to expand the repertoire of selective carbohydrate modifications in terms of methodology and substrate scope. The developed knowledge will be applied in the synthesis of complex carbohydrate-based natural products. You will be trained in organic synthesis and catalysis, including NMR spectroscopy and chromatography, in photoredox chemistry and in electrosynthesis. Additionally, you will be involved in teaching, by supervising tutorials and bachelor/master theses.

Organisation

The University of Groningen is a research university within the top 100 on several influential ranking lists. The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers first-rate education and research in a wide range of science and engineering disciplines.

The mission of the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry is to perform excellent research and teaching in molecular and supramolecular chemistry. Core activities in the chemical sciences such as chemical biology, organic synthesis, molecular inorganic chemistry and molecular materials chemistry are embedded in the institute.

Qualifications

We are looking for creative, motivated, and determined candidates, who meet the following requirements:

• A Master's degree in Chemistry.
• Experience in organic synthesis.
• Good communication skills in English.

Organisation

Conditions of employment

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• A salary of € 2901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3707 gross per month in the fourth and final year, based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE).
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income.
• An 8.3% year-end bonus.
• A position for four years; you will get a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years; prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.

A university PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

Application

Do you meet our qualification criteria? Then please upload the following documents to complete your application:

• A letter stating your motivation to apply and your key qualities relevant for this position.
• A curriculum vitae.
• Contact information of two academic references.

You may apply for this position until June 30 11:59 pm / before July 1st 2025 Dutch local time (CET) by means of the electronic application form (click on "Apply" below on the advertisement on the university website).

he University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/(...)rsity-and-inclusion/

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/nl/sollicitatiecode and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

We provide career services for partners of new faculty members moving to Groningen.

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Information

For information you can contact:

• Prof. A.J. Minnaard,

Please do not use the e-mail address(es) above for applications.