Dear colleagues,
I would like to draw your attention to an open Postdoc position for studying immobilized catalysts by solid-state NMR spectroscopy, which is available in my laboratory located at the Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry at RWTH Aachen University (Germany).
The project aims at characterizing immobilized catalysts by solid-state NMR spectroscopy, particularly focusing on supported ionic liquid phase (SILP)-based materials. The structural and dynamic insights will be used to (i) develop a mechanistic description of the underlying catalytic processes and (ii) further fine-tune the catalytic properties of the systems investigated. A central research topic is the development and application of solid-state NMR experiments at fast magic-angle spinning frequencies (> 100 kHz) for the characterization of modified surfaces. The experimental approaches will be supported by quantum-chemical calculations, as well as MD simulations. The candidate will work in close collaboration with our partners at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion and RWTH Aachen University offering a broad range of catalytic systems. All projects are embedded in the cluster of excellence - the fuel science center - at RWTH Aachen University.
For more information please see below.
I would be happy if you could distribute the job offer to interested candidates who should send their application to wiegand@itmc.rwth-aachen.de.
Thank you in advance and all the best,
Thomas Wiegand
-- Thomas Wiegand Professor for Magnetic Resonance of Complex Materials and Catalysts Heisenberg fellow Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion Mülheim a. d. Ruhr/ Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University Worringerweg 2 52074 Aachen (Germany) Room: 38B012 Phone: +49 241 80 26420 E-Mail: thomas.wiegand@cec.mpg.de; wiegand@itmc.rwth-aachen.de
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The research group of Prof. Dr. Thomas Wiegand at the Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH Aachen University) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion is looking for an enthusiastic
Postdoctoral candidate (m/f/d) for studying immobilized catalysts by solid-state NMR
The starting date is flexible; the temporary position (initially for one year) is open from February 2024.
Who we are?
We study catalytic processes in biology and chemistry by magnetic-resonance spectroscopy. We are employing and developing solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) approaches to unravel catalytic reactions (e.g. hydrogenation reactions), self-assembly phenomena in the context of phase separation and protein-nucleic acid interactions for instance in motor proteins fuelled by ATP hydrolysis. A central research theme is the analysis of weak chemical interactions at the heart of molecular recognition events, particularly noncovalent ones, using fast Magic-Angle Spinning (MAS) NMR. Very recently, we also explore the influence of mechanochemical forces, with pressure and mixing being the most important ones, on organic reactions and on bond scission events in biomolecules. The lab located at the Institute of Technical and Macromolecular Chemistry at RWTH Aachen University is equipped with NMR spectrometers up to 700 MHz and MAS experiments up to 111 kHz. Our vision is to develop unified concepts in catalysis bridging the gap between biology and chemistry.
Prerequisites
Successful candidates should have a graduate science education in chemistry and a strong interest in spectroscopic techniques. Basic knowledge in solid-state NMR is required. The candidate should be highly motivated in NMR method development and application of NMR to research questions in catalysis.
If you are interested in working on challenging interdisciplinary projects in materials science, please send your complete application by e-mail to
Your application should contain a curriculum vitae (CV) and the names of two professional references whom we may contact. We are looking forward to getting to know you!