KEY WORDS: Supramolecular Chemistry, Artificial Cells, Super-resolution Microscopy, Chemical Reaction Networks

BACKGROUND AND SCOPE OF THE POSITION. Building coacervates that can form, interact, and communicate in a spatiotemporal manner is an essential stepping-stone to creating artificial lifelike systems and to better understand the origin of life.

In this project, we want to synthesize coacervates composed of small monomers as minimalistic model and understand the chemical grammar underlying the formation of coacervates. Thereafter, design and utilize artificial chemical reaction networks (CRNs) to program their formation and decay and further communicate with each other and the environment spatiotemporally.  The scope of the project deals with synthesis of organic molecules, characterization of coacervation through spectroscopy and super-resolution microscopy.

The Dhiman has pioneered chemical reaction networks, self-assembly, transient supramolecular polymerization that sparked this emerging field of coacervation that are proposed as early compartments in the origin of life. You will be hired according to the German Salary Scheme 0.5E13.

TEAM. Dhiman is a young achiever, and her lab is its in early stages of establishment. Join our team to do cutting-edge research and gain international visibility. With an advantage of small team, get continuous supervision and support. We provide you with an inspiring and collaborative department with ample opportunities to develop. Brand new, cutting-edge synthetic and analytical infrastructure and facilities are available due to generous support by the University of Mainz. Jun. Prof. Dhiman is a Junior faculty in Max Planck Graduate Centre, Mainz and had been a Marie Curie Fellow and Women Interactive Material Awardee.

More information on the group can be found here: www.dhimanlab.com

EXPECTED CANDIDATE PROFILE. As an ideal candidate you are creative, highly self-motivated, ambitious, and communicative to excel in scientific challenges. You hold a M.Sc. in Chemistry and have a background in physical organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and your performance in your M.Sc. should be clearly above average. Additional qualifications in microscopy is a plus. We are willing to train you in complementary skills.

SELECTED REFERENCES ON RELATED TOPICS IN THE PAST

How to program self-assembly:

‘Adenosine-Phosphate-Fueled, Temporally Programmed Supramolecular Polymers with Multiple Transient States’, S. Dhiman, A. Jain, M. Kumar, S. J. George, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2017, 139, 16568-16575.

‘Chemical fuel-driven living and transient supramolecular polymerization’, A. Jain, S. Dhiman, A. Dhayani, P. K. Vemula, S. J. George, Nat. Commun., 2019, 10, 450.

‘Temporally Controlled Supramolecular Polymerization’, S. Dhiman, S. J. George, Bull. Chem. Soc. of Jpn.,2018, 91, 687-699.

Small molecule based coacervation:

‘Dilution-Induced Gel-Sol-Gel-Sol Transitions by Competitive Supramolecular Pathways in Water’, L. Su, J. Mosuqera, M. F. J. Mabesoone, S. M. C. Schoenmakers, C. Muller, M. E. J. Vleugels, S. Dhiman, S. Wijkers, A. R. A. Palmans, E. W. Meijer, Science2022, 377, 213-218.

Super-Resolution microscopy:

‘Can Super-Resolution Microscopy Become a Standard Characterization Technique for Material Chemistry?’ S. Dhiman, T. Andrian, B. S. Gonzalez, M. Tholen, Y. Wang, L. Albertazzi, Chem. Sci.2022, 13, 2152-2166.

TO APPLY:

Fill up this form (click here)and attach a single PDF file containing:

• Letter of motivation to undertake this project as your PhD thesis, as well as summary of your past research experience, in particular a meaningful summary of your master thesis. Detail in your letter why you believe you are the right person and what you expect from us.

• Transcript of records of your Master and Bachelors program

• Curriculum vitae and list of publications (if applicable)

• Two contacts for reference letters

The position is available immediately and has a duration of 3 years.

Application Deadline is 15th October 2024.

You will be hired according to the German Salary Scheme 0.5 EG13.