Call for applications for postdoctoral positions at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Comenius University

General Information:

Here advertised positions resulted from the succesful projects within the „Call for postdoctoral positions at the Comenius University 2024-2025“ by the rector of the   Comenius University in accordance with the Internal Directive VP UK 4/2024. Minimum guaranteed yearly income (brutto) is 25758 EUR, plus further benefits in the amount of 9324 EUR that includes social security and health insurance paid by the employer.  Positions are cofinanced by the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the final salary may be higher depending on the availabilty of resources from individual grants of the supervisors.

In the academic year 2024/2025, there is the possibility for CU postdocs to receive a postdoctoral student (young researcher) grant from the Early Stage Grant (ESG) recovery plan up to €12,000. The submission of the applicant for a postdoc grant must take place simultaneously with the submission of his/her application to fill a postdoctoral stay at CU. The application for a grant of a postdoc of CU is submitted by the applicant himself/herself electronically, via the link published on the CU website: https://kmn.sk/GUKPOST The conditions for implementation the grant of a postdoctoral student (GUKPOST) are listed on the CU website: https://uniba.sk/veda/postdoktorandske-pobyty/grant-postdoktoranda-uk-gukpost/

Eligibility:
There is no geographic limitation for these positions. Applicants must have a PhD. (or equivalent) degree that was received less than three years prior to the expected starting date of the appointment. The applicant cannot exceed the age of 35 years. PhD holders from the Comenius University in Bratislava are not eligible.

Appointment Start Date:
Expected start date for the job was set to October 1st, 2024. Possible postponing should be individually negotiated by the supervisor.

Duration:
Initial work contract will be signed for one year, with possible extension depending on the available resources and the recommendation by the supervisor. 

Required Documents:
Completed application should include

i) Cover letter including motivation

ii)  Independent recommendation letters (sent via e-mail directly by recommending persons to the supervisor) – at least one, maximum three.

iii)  Curriculum vitae (biographical sketch) that includes details on your education and training to date, Visa status (if applicable), your experimental/programming experience, a bibliography of any publications

iv) Proof of receiving of the PhD (or equivalent) degree (e. g. scan of the diploma)

Application deadline:
Applications should be sent via e-mail to supervisors before June 23, 2024.

 

Open positions:

Department of Inorganic Chemistry

Project: Computer-Aided Design and Synthesis of Complex Compounds for Photodynamic Therapy and Luminescence Imaging

• Triplet photosensitizers belong to a special class of substances with effective spin-forbidden intersystem crossing (ISC) from the singlet to the triplet excited state, which occurs after the dye is irradiated with visible light. The goal of the project is to rationally use modern quantum chemical methods to design and synthesize in the laboratory highly effective heteroaromatic dyes and their complex compounds with an effective spin-forbidden singlet-triplet transition and extensive production of highly reactive singlet oxygen and/or effective phosphorescence. These attributes, in conjunction with other essential properties required for practical usage, such as increased photostability, solubility in polar media or two-photon absorption, will facilitate the use of the developed systems in applications with a special focus on photodynamic therapy using deep penetrating radiation in the near-infrared region and imaging of biological structures using high resolution TPEF microscopy.

Supervisor:  Prof. RNDr. Jozef Noga, DrSc.,  jozef.nogauniba.sk

Desired qualifications and competences:

• PhD degree in inorganic, organic or physical chemistry
• Well documented experience in microgram to multigram scale organic synthesis, with a particular focus on heteroaromatic compounds and/or coordination chemistry
• Experience in quantum-chemical calculations and simulations
• Experience with modern methods of chemical synthesis, including water-free conditions and work under inert atmosphere
• Advanced experience in NMR and UV-vis characterizations
• Ability to plan, execute and analyze synthesis of multifunctional compounds
• Professional knowledge of written and spoken English language
• Ability to work in team

 

Department of Organic Chemistry

Project: Stereoselective synthesis of chiral pentahelicenes using C–H activation

• This will involve the development of an innovative synthesis of chiral naphthochrysenes and naphthoperylenes, using stereoselective C–H arylation as a key step. The aim is to make available a new class of chiral molecular fluorescent materials with potential application in optoelectronics with the use of environmentally sustainable synthetic methods.

Supervisor: Prof. Martin Putala, martin.putalauniba.sk

Desired qualifications and competences:

Recent Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry (completed in 2021 to 2024)

• Strong competence in synthetic organic chemistry and analytical techniques
• Creativity in writing and ability to work with a high degree of independence
• Enthusiasm for research, interest in synthetic methods development and  development of functional organic materials
• Experience in synthetic organic methods development (e.g. stereoselective synthesis, transition metal catalysis) as exemplified in high quality publications
• Experience in the field of molecular modeling using DFT method is welcome
• Strong track record in high quality scientific publications, grants, and outreach
• Very good English language skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills
  
  
  

 Institute of Laboratory Research on Geomaterials

Project:  Effect of application of iron oxide nanoparticles to lentil plants on cadmium bioaccumulation from soil

• The aim of the project is the experimental study and optimization of the protocol for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles will then be applied to soil and plants and their transformation, distribution and bioavailability in the soil-plant system and their potential to affect the translocation of a potentially toxic element, cadmium (Cd), to the aerial parts of plants will be monitored.

Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Martin Urík, PhD. ,  martin.urikuniba.sk

Desired qualifications and competences:

Completed PhD. degree (or equivalent) in a field related to the project topic.

The applicant should have:

• Experience in writing scientific articles for high-impact journals.
• Experience with biological synthesis of nanoparticles.
• Experience in growing and experimenting with plants.
• Experience with the application of nanoparticles to plants.
• Experience in evaluating the physiological and biochemical parameters of plants. Previous publication of articles on similar topics (such as the topic of the project) in high-impact journals with subsequent citation response from other scientists is welcome.
  
  

 Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Project:  Theory and Implementation of NMR Parameters for Diamagnetic Substances Using the Modern X2C Hamiltonian

• The primary goal of the project is the development and implementation of an efficient relativistic two-component method based on density functional theory (DFT) for the calculation of NMR parameters of diamagnetic substances, combining the modern amfX2C Hamiltonian and acceleration techniques for the efficient calculation of two-electron interactions.

Supervisor: Dr. Michal Repisky ,  michal.repiskyuniba.sk

Essential qualifications and competencies:

• PhD degree in theoretical/computational chemistry or physics, computational materials science, or applied mathematics
• High proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Documented experience with programming languages (Fortran, C, C++, and/or Python).
• Self-motivation, independence, and creativity.
• Ability to work in an international environment

Required Documents:

Completed application should include:

i) Cover letter explaining your motivation and research interests

ii) CV

iii) PhD thesis and diploma

iv) Transcript of grades/academic record for MSc and BSc degrees

v)  Recommendation letter (preferably from a PhD supervisor)

 

 

Closed position:

 

Department: Department of Organic Chemistry

Project: Development of the missing drug for life-threatening complications caused by diabetes mellitus - optimization of the pharmacological properties of the original nM ALR2 inhibitor with excellent selectivity against ALR1

Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Andrej Boháč, CSc. Email: andrej.bohacuniba.sk

The job offer is closed.

 

Department: Department of Inorganic Chemistry

Project: Coordination Compounds of S,N-Heteroaromatics Possessing Intramolecular Charge Transfer for Two-Photon Excited Bioimaging, Photodynamic Therapy and Theranostic Applications

Supervisor: Mgr. Peter Hrobárik, PhD. Email: peter.hrobarikuniba.sk

The job offer is closed.

 

Department: Department of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Project: Studying the reactivity of contaminants in the environment with molecular simulations

Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Ivan Černušák, DrSc., Email: ivan.cernusakuniba.sk

The job offer is closed.

 

Department: Department of Organic Chemistry

Project: Application of persistant carbocations in organic synthesis toward novel complex structures

Supervisor: doc. Ing. Mária Mečiarová, PhD., Email: maria.meciarovauniba.sk

The job offer is closed.