PhD student position in an NCN SONATA BIS Project

The competition is open for a PhD student position in NCN SONATA BIS 2022/46/E/ST4/00392 project, entitled „Towards understanding of polymorphism and crystallization pathways of organic molecular crystals”.

PI: dr hab. Marta Dudek, prof. CBMM

Position: PhD student

Project description: The planned project aims at the deepening of our understanding of crystallization processes. One of its elements is a search for monomorphic organic molecules, i.e. those which form only one stable crystal structure. The planned studies involve mainly crystal structure prediction calculations (CSP), but will also require conducting crystallization experiments in a lab. By combining theoretical predictions with experiments we aim at evaluating a famous claim that the number of polymorphic forms of a compound depends on the time and effort put into finding them. The obtained results will be used to create a crystallization condition database, linking crystal structure with crystallization conditions and featuring monomorphic molecules. The project has interdisciplinary character, and include elements from computational and supramolecular chemistry, as well as spectroscopy and crystallography.

Requirements:

• MSc degree in chemistry, pharmacy, physics or closely related subjects;
• Being a BioMedChem doctoral school student (or willingness to recruit in July 2025);
• Analytical thinking, creative approach to research tasks;
• At least basic experience in quantum-chemical calculations (gained for example during master’s or bachelor’s project);
• Willingness to work in a laboratory;
• Independence in lab work, enthusiasm and willingness to solve difficult research problems;
• Good skills in literature search, good knowledge on scientific journals most relevant to the field;
• Very good knowledge of English, both in speech and in writing.

will be considered an asset:

• Knowledge on how to run powder X-Ray diffraction experiments;
• Basic programming skills (bash/python).

Tasks in the project:

• Quantum chemical calculations using Gaussian and Spartan software;
• CSP calculations (CSPy software);
• DFT calculations for periodic systems (Castep and VASP);
• Conducting crystallization experiments (with assistance form elder colleagues);
• Participation in writing of scientific manuscripts;
• A lab-unified electronic laboratory notebook will be required.

The conditions of employment:

• NCN stipend for the maximum period of 42 months, starting from 01.10.2025;
• Place of employment: Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Łódź, Poland; Structural Chemistry Department;
• Interesting job in an interdisciplinary, newly established team;
• Access to state-of-the-art. equipment: four NMR spectrometers, single-crystal X-Ray diffractometer, powder X-Ray diffractometer;
• Training on running NMR experiments, as well as quantum chemical calculations;
• Basic training on Linux and python usage, training on CSP calculations.

Application Deadline: 20/06/2025 (with a possible extension)

Results Announcement: the sent applications will be evaluated in terms of formal requirements, followed by an assessment of candidate’s experience and qualifications. Only selected candidates will be invited for an interview (preferably in on-line format). On the basis of the ranking list, the candidate with the highest number of points will be recommended for the PhD student position. In the event of the above-mentioned candidate’s resignation, the Committee may recommend another person from the ranking list or repeat the competition. The selected candidate has to be or become a PhD student of BioMedChem Doctoral School in order to receive the NCN stipend.

Required documents:

1. Motivation letter;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. Documents confirming holding a MSc degree (copy of MSc diploma);
4. A short description of lab experience and scientific achievements to date (for example from BSc/MSc projects), including an indication of one, most significant scientific achievement.

Applications send by e-mail to , with CC to ; with the required documents attached in PDF format.

Please include in your offer: “I hereby give consent for my personal data included in my application to be processed by the Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Łódź, NIP: 7240004662, ul. Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź for the purposes of the recruitment process.”

The holder of your personal data is Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Lodz, NIP: 7240004662 (the “Institute”). The Institute will process your data for the purpose of carrying out scientific and research activities, providing services and contact with the Institute, on the basis of a contract (in connection with the performance of the contract or in order to take action on your request before the contract is concluded – Article 6, paragraph 1, letter b) of GDPR), the legitimate interest of the Institute (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f) of the GDPR) and legal provisions (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter c) of the GDPR) – depending on the circumstances. You have the right to: request access to your data, receive a copy of it; rectify (correct) it; delete it; limit its processing; transfer it; lodge a complaint to the supervisory body; withdraw your consent for processing at any time (withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to its withdrawal) or to lodge an objection to data processing.