Offer Description
Assistant Position in the Programmable Polymers Centre
Centre for Advanced Technologies, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań
We invite applications for a part-time Assistant position in the SHAPE project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC), at the Programmable Polymers Center, led by Prof. UAM Dr. hab. inż. Róża Szweda. The Center operates within the Centre for Advanced Technologies at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.
Project Overview:
Are you excited by the idea of designing macromolecules that behave like enzymes—but beyond the limits of biology? The SHAPE project offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research that combines organic chemistry, polymer science, and machine learning.
Our goal is to develop abiotic enzymes—synthetic macromolecules capable of selectively catalyzing chemical reactions in environments where natural enzymes fail. By harnessing sequence-defined polymers, we are able to precisely program monomer arrangements and stereochemistry to shape their 3D structure and fine-tune their function.
The research will integrate automated synthesis, allowing efficient production of complex polymer architectures with incorporated catalytic motifs to enhance both selectivity and efficiency. To accelerate discovery, machine learning will be employed to decode the relationship between sequence and function, guiding the design of sophisticated abiotic enzymes.
If you're passionate about pushing the boundaries of synthetic chemistry and want to be part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary team, we encourage you to apply and help shape the future of abiotic catalysis.
For more information about the team's activities, visit szwedalab.com.
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Master's degree in chemistry
- Experience in laboratory work
- Creativity, ability to work in a team, commitment, and motivation to achieve research goals
- Good command of English
Specific Requirements
- Documented experience in preparative organic synthesis
- Knowledge of polymer chemistry will be an advantage
- Hands-on experience in chromatographic methods (GC, HPLC, Flash)
- Knowledge of basic spectroscopic methods used to identify organic compounds (NMR, FTIR, CD, UV-vis, fluorescence)
- Ability to design and perform syntheses of organic compounds
- Experience in working with an automated synthesizer
- Ability to prepare scientific publications and present research results
- Proficiency in software such as Origin, Mendeley, MNova
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good
Research Field: Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Additional Information
Benefits
- A friendly and collaborative work environment based on mutual respect
- Work in a young, ambitious, and international research team
- Additional social benefits and access to the university's social fund
- "13th" salary
- Support for employees with disabilities
- Opportunities for professional development and training
- Possibility to pursue a PhD within the team (for interested candidates)
Eligibility criteria
- Scientific excellence
- Research experience in the SHAPE project
- Communication in English
- Motivation for research work
Selection process
- Competition committee begins working no later than 14 days after the deadline for submission of documents.
- Formal evaluation of submitted proposals.
- Call to provide additional or missing documents if necessary.
- Selection of candidates for the interview stage.
- Interviews for selected candidates who meet the formal requirements.
- The chair of the recruitment committee announces the results and informs the candidates.
Additional comments
Required documents
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Diplomas or certificates issued by colleges
- Information on the Applicant's research, teaching and organizational achievements (list of publications, participation in research projects),
- Contact to at least one person from the scientific community who can provide references;
- Consent to the processing of personal data as follows: In accordance with Article 6 (1) (a) of the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016. (OJ EU L 119/1 of 4 May 2016) I consent to the processing of personal data other than: first name, (first names) and surname; parents' first names; date of birth; place of residence (mailing address); education; previous employment history, included in my job offer for the purpose of the current recruitment.
Website for additional job details: https://szwedalab.com/
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Programmable Polymers Laboratory
Country: Poland
State/Province: Greater Poland Voivodeship
City: Poznań
Postal Code: 61-614
Street: Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 10