PhD Student position in NCN OPUS 30 Project

The competition is open for PhD student position in  NCN OPUS 30 Project (No. 2025/59/B/ST4/02643): The title of the project is “Bent-core materials based on boron clusters as dopants inducing flexoelectric effect in liquid crystal matrices”.

Position: PhD student 

The leader of the project: Rafał Jakubowski, PhD Eng.

Task descriptions:

1. Synthesis and purification of bent-core materials based on boron-clusters;
2. Spectral and thermal characterization of the bent-core materials;
3. Participation in preparation of admixtures of bent-core additives with nematic hosts and their dielectric and thermal studies;
4. Data processing and scientific manuscripts preparation;
5. Participation in scientific conferences and symposia;
6. Preparing reports/presentations and discussing results within the research team.

Requirements:

1. MSc degree in Chemistry or related to Chemistry;
2. Experience in organic synthesis and in spectral characterization of organic compounds;
3. Good laboratory practice;
4. Good knowledge of English;
5. Teamwork skills, enthusiasm and high motivation to expand knowledge;
6. Experience in working with boron clusters or liquid crystals will be an asset;
7. The candidate will be obligated to join the BioMedChem Doctoral School and fulfill the duties resulting from being its participant.

The conditions of scholarschip:

• NCN-funded doctoral scholarship for the maximum of 48 months (6500 PLN/month gross throughout the whole project).
• Start of the project – October 2026 with a possibility to start at a later date.
• The scholarship will be awarded contingent upon PhD student status or admission to the BioMedChem doctoral school.
• Location of the project: Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Division of Organic Chemistry.
• Working in the chemical laboratory with possibility of learning new techniques. Cooperation with external institutions (including Military University of Technology, Warsaw).
• Project type: OPUS-30.
• The leader of the project: Rafał Jakubowski, PhD Eng.
• Application deadline: Rolling recruitment until September 30, 2026, with the possibility of closing earlier if a suitable candidate is selected. If no suitable candidate is found, the offer may be extended.
• Selection procedure: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in the order they are received. Once the suitable candidate is selected, the recruitment process will be considered closed.

Required documents:

1. CV – a curriculum vitae that includes information about the candidate’s education, academic achievements, scholarships, awards, internships, training and workshops, as well as research experience;
2. Cover letter;
3. Copy of the diploma or official document confirming holding a MSc degree;
4. At least one letter of recommendation from the previous academic supervisor.

Form of submission:  Complete applications should be sent by email to with CC to ; please attach the required documents as PDF files.

Additional information: For further information regarding the project, please contact Rafał Jakubowski, PhD, Eng., phone: (+48) (42) 68 03 202, email: .

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