PhD scholarship in Organic synthesis and Photophysical studies - DTU Chemistry

Do you want to support the production of materials with desired optical, electrochemical or photothermal properties, for applications in e.g., functional textile dyeing or solar cells?

A 3-year PhD scholarship in Organic Chemistry and Photophysical studies is available starting from January 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Indigo is a natural compound with a distinctive blue color. In addition to providing the characteristic blue color, indigo displays fascinating photochemical properties.

The photophysical understanding and synthetic engineering of indigo derivates can lead to almost endless possibilities for tuning material properties (e.g. optical, photothermal), but a full understanding of how indigo structure effects the photophysical properties is missing.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your role will be to design, synthesize, and characterize new indigo derivatives to provide structures with engineered and optimized photophysical properties. Characterization will include the elucidation of structural and physical properties, optical response, electronic structure and vibrational dynamics.

You will next investigate their potential as new colorful dyes and their application in perovskite solar cells. All synthetic work as well as photochemical studies will take place at DTU Chemistry, while photophysical investigations will be performed at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Your work will have significant impacts on the understanding of indigo photochemical properties and will clarify the correlations between chemical structures and the ensuing photophysical properties. You will actively disseminate your results in scientific articles and through participation in international conferences.

The project will be carried out as a collaboration between DTU Chemistry and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Laboratory of Photophysics. You will be enrolled at DTU and spend a minimum of 6 months at Cornell University.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

We are looking for a profile who strives towards scientific excellence, are ambitious, independent and hard working. You consider yourself among the brightest in your field and want to do science at the highest international level. Open-minded knowledge sharing and constructive teamwork are also key to success. Additionally, your CV comprises:

• A master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar with focus on organic chemistry or physical chemistry
• Experience with organic synthesis is a requirement
• Experience in optical spectroscopy 
• Excellent language skills both written and spoken English

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the candidates will be made by Assoc Prof Katrine Qvortrup and Assist Prof Andrew Musser.

We offer
DTU and Cornell University are two leading technical universities globally recognized for the excellence of their research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. 

Starting date is January 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Place of employment is DTU Lyngby campus – but you will spend a minimum of 6 months at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information  
Further information may be obtained from Assoc. Prof. Katrine Qvortrup, [email protected]  or Assist. Prof Andrew Musser, [email protected]  

You can read more about the department  at www.kemi.dtu.d 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1  November 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Chemistry
DTU Chemistry offers a PhD program with a comprehensive research education in modern chemistry. You will be in contact with international research communities and will be able to take part in your PhD study at a foreign research institution. You will be trained in dissemination of the world of chemistry and your own research as a teaching assistant at the Department as well as presenter at scientific conferences and events for the public and school students. You build skills and develop your knowledge in chemistry through participation in courses at DTU, other universities, research schools or summer schools.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.