| Code | SD-NChem-G62 |
|---|---|
| Area/discipline | Chemical sciences |
| Form of studies | Full-time |
| Level of education | Third cycle |
| Language(s) of instruction | English, Polish |
| Admission limit | 1 |
| Duration | 8 semetrs |
| Recruitment committee address | Szkoła Doktorska Nauk Ścisłych, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, Poznań mgr Agnieszka Kurzajak |
| Office opening hours | 9.00-14.00 |
| WWW address | https://amu.edu.pl/doktoranci/szkola-doktorska/rekrutacja/rekrutacja-20252026 |
| Required document | |
| Ask a question | |
Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Exact Sciences beyond the limit of places
Project description:
|
Many of the commodities we use in our daily lives, such as materials, food or medicines, are obtained through processes that utilize catalysts. These catalysts enable the transformation of simple raw chemicals into molecules such as pharmaceuticals or agrochemicals. This process involves the making and breaking of chemical bonds, which typically requires a significant energy input. Thus, catalysts play a crucial role by weakening specific chemicals bonds and facilitating their formation under milder conditions. While most catalysts used are synthetic, nature also provides naturally occurring catalysts known as enzymes. Enzymes, as well as antibodies, provide reference points for selectivity and reactivity, but they are generally unsuited to industrial processes. In addition, enzymes exhibit remarkable specificity, generally catalyzing the conversion of only one type (or at most a few similar types) of substrate molecules into products. Understanding their reaction mechanisms has, however, been important in addressing the problem of how to achieve similar selectivity and reactivity in synthetic catalysts suited to industrial usage. Enzyme mechanisms typically involve substrate binding within a cavity formed by the protein superstructure, and a simple model of such a binding site is provided by molecules with defined cavity: capsules or cages. Based on our years of experience and achievements, we propose to use the basics of coordination chemistry in the presented project to create a new generation of artificial enzymes based on water-soluble metallosupramolecular cages with interesting physicochemical properties. This is possible through the appropriate design of a series of ambident organic ligands with terminally located pyridine units, responsible for the formation of metallosupramolecular cages with Pd2+ ions, and chelating groups in the middle part, allowing for the introduction of appropriate functionalization (tuneable solubility, photoactivity) through the coordination of transition metal ions (Pd2+, Co3+, Ru3+). The reaction between the ligands prepared in this way and the corresponding metal ions will represent a fundamental breakthrough in the generation of complex 3-dimensional systems, based in the first stage on the synthesis of suitable metalloligands with specific structure/properties tailored to individual needs, followed by the formation of the cage architecture. The characteristic lantern-type structure of the proposed cages imparts unique properties to the resulting structures: the almost spherical cavity shape is suitable for most guest molecules; the presence of acidic protons will support the formation of non- covalent interactions with said guests; and the cationic shell provides an ideal environment for anions. Therefore, another aspect of this project will be to investigate the separation/sequestration of halide anions from aqueous solutions. Defining the affinity for halides in the initial stage of the project will allow us to determine the (photo)catalytic potential in C-C and C-X bond transformation reactions. The presented research project is eminently interdisciplinary in nature and covers many chemical fields, including organic chemistry, physical organic chemistry, and combinatorial chemistry, which have been identified under the common banner of supramolecular chemistry. The proposed idea of the project sheds light on a new direction for water-soluble metallosupramolecular systems, and the results obtained within the framework of the project will significantly contribute to the knowledge of designing functional cage systems with catalytic properties. The measurable effect of the project will be the development of 1) efficient and selective systems for the separation of anions from water, 2) efficient catalysts for substitution and coupling reactions in aqueous media. |
Principal investigator: Prof. dr hab. Artur Stefankiewicz NCN 2024/53/B/ST5/01103
Recruitment
Selection Committee
1. prof. dr hab. Artur Stefankiewicz– chairman
2. prof. UAM dr hab. Jędrzej Walkowiak
3. dr Anna Walczak
4. prof. dr hab. Przemysław Niedzielski
5. prof. dr hab. Michał Zieliński
6. mgr Agnieszka Kurzajak – secretary
Schedule of the Doctoral School enrolment procedure:
Recruitment fee
The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.
Form of the selection procedure
One stage procedure.
Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:
Polish or English language.
Required documents:
Candidates applying based on exceptional academic achievements must include a scan of the following:
1) For first-cycle graduates: the diploma and supplement.
2) For students completing the third year of a unified master’s programme: a certificate indicating their academic average from years 1 to 3, along with a transcript.
Candidates educated outside Poland must additionally submit:
1) A scanned copy of their higher education diploma and supplement for both first- and second-degree qualifications (Bachelor’s and Master’s), in the original language and a certified translation into English or Polish.
2) A scanned copy of their passport (for foreign applicants).
Evaluation criteria
1. A minimum grade of "very good" or equivalent from a second-cycle (master’s) or unified master’s degree diploma (5 points). Candidates applying on the basis of exceptional scientific achievements (e.g., grant awarded under the “Pearls of Science” competition) will also receive 5 points.
2. Evaluation of up to three documented scientific achievements submitted during registration in the IRK system, assessed according to the detailed criteria of the candidate's accomplishments (maximum of 20 points).
3. Assessment of other documented activities, based on up to three achievements indicated by the candidate, as per the specific criteria for the discipline (maximum of 5 points).
4. The outcome of the interview, which assesses:
a) The candidate’s knowledge and competencies relevant to their intended research, including discipline-specific expertise.
b) Research methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline. The interview has a maximum duration of 30 minutes and awards up to 50 points.
5. Evaluation of the research project prepared for admission, or in the case of recruitment tied to a grant project, the author’s concept for implementing the project (maximum of 20 points). Assessment focuses on:
a) Formulation of the research objective and presentation of the research problem. Page 6 of 9
b) Originality of the research idea and approach to solving the research problem.
c) Methodology suited to the indicated discipline.
d) Awareness of the current state of research, supported by a basic bibliography.
e) The project’s significance for the development of the chosen discipline.
Condition of admission to the Doctoral School
Education Program
Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education at the Doctoral School is offered on the basis of a framework curriculum and an individual research plan and ends with the submission of a doctoral dissertation.
The framework curriculum at the doctoral school includes a catalogue of modules of compulsory classes, elective compulsory classes and optional classes. It also:
1) defines their schedule
2) defines the way in which the classes are taught
3) defines how learning outcomes are verified.
Education begins on 1st October, 2025.
Supervisors
A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School).
Scholarships
The scholarship is PLN 5.000 gross-gross for 24 months, than PLN 6.500 gross-gross for next 24 months