Recruitment for the Doctoral School

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Molecular geometry – pre- and post-synthetically modified shape-persistent macrocycles of great chiroptical response, for molecular tectonics and chirality sensing - prof. Marcin Kwit

Details
Code SD-NChem-G63
Organizational unit Doctoral School of Exact Sciences
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 semestrs
Recruitment committee address Szkoła Doktorska Nauk Ścisłych, ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, Poznań mgr Agnieszka Kurzajak
Office opening hours 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
WWW address https://amu.edu.pl/doktoranci/szkola-doktorska/rekrutacja/rekrutacja-20262027
Required document
  • Document qualifying for admission to a doctoral school
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Past phases in this registration:
  • Phase 1 (05.10.2026 12:30 – 12.10.2026 23:59)

Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Exact Sciences beyond the limit of places

Project description:      

In this project, we intend to prove that intentionally designed selected group of chiral polyaza macro- and gigantocyclic compounds of periodical and symmetrical structure, may act as tunable and highly responsible sensors and tectons. The molecular and supramolecular systems designed and studied within this proposal will resemble macroscopic geometric objects such as figures, solids and helixes of natural origin. The mechanism of action of these compounds will be based on some fundamental processes, namely, molecular recognition, enantiodiscrimination, aggregation and assembly.

We intend to demonstrate the versatility of macro- and gigantocyclic (over 50-membered) derivatives as molecular receptors and chirality sensors. The change of the size of internal cavity and/or the possibility of formation of the receptor pocket allows for selective encapsulations of guests. The use of chiral but conjugated macrocycles of planar or tubular structure for recognition and in tectonics will be an important novelty. A simple change from dialdehyde to diketone will lead to formation of tubular-shape the “isosceles macrocycles”, where two sides are chemically and geometrically distinct from the third.

The presence of internal cavity makes rigid macrocycles good candidates for designing nanoporous molecular solids (cooperation with Stellenbosch University, SA). In this context, the antagonistic effects between shape non-complementarity and the presence of structure-forming supramolecular synthons will allow for obtaining materials characterized by the presence of “chiral pores” and capable of solid-state enantiodiscrimination.

Both, pre- and post-synthetic approaches will be used for synthesis and modifications of macro- and gigantocyclic compounds. To save time and resources, theoretical calculations will constitute the first stage of research followed by the stage of synthesis and verification of the theoretical results by comparing them with the experiment. These preliminary theoretical studies are essential for compounds that will be tested for their suitability as systems that are characterized by specific structural and/or spectroscopic properties. In order to design multicomponent crystals, the theoretical calculations seem to be a prerequisite for choosing suitable objects that are capable of noncovalent interactions. The bottom-up design strategy will be utilized in the design and solid-state synthesis of hierarchical non-intertwined ring-in-ring structures.

The introduction of polar substituent capable of hydrogen bonding formation to the macrocycle core will stabilize the structure. On the other hand, the substituent(s) not involved in XH…N interactions will constitute supramolecular synthon(s), important for further construction of supramolecular entities. The initially obtained macro- and gigantocyclic structures may constitute a starting point to the synthesis of molecules impossible to obtain by kinetically and/or thermodynamically controlled reactions. Post-synthetic modifications will include, among others, transformation of polyamines into polyamides. This type of chemical transformation, in relation to the chiral polyazamacrocycles, remains largely (or even at all) unexplored.  

 

Principal investigator:  Kierownik projektu: Prof. dr hab. Marcin Kwit; 2023/49/B/ST5/00574

Recruitment 

Selection Committee             

            1.    prof. dr hab. Marcin Kwit – chairman

            2.    prof. UAM dr hab. Magdalena Rapp

            3.    dr Agnieszka Czapik

            4.    prof.  dr hab. Przemysław Niedzielski 

            5.    prof. dr hab. Michał Zieliński

            6.    mgr  Agnieszka Kurzajak   – secretary 

Schedule of  the Doctoral  School enrolment procedure: 

·         acceptance of documents: from 5 to 12 October, 2026
 ·        admission process: 16 October, 2026
 ·        announcement of the list of candidates qualified for admission: 20 October, 2026   

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. 

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

Polish or English language. An applicant for admission to a doctoral school shall register in the IRK (Internetowa Rejestracja Kandydatów – Candidate Internet Registration) system and submit documents in electronic form.

          Candidates are required to:  
1. Complete the registration form and upload a digital photograph sized 20 mm x 25 mm with a resolution of at least 300 dpi. 
2. Indicate the academic discipline in which they intend to prepare their doctoral dissertation.
3. Consent to the processing of personal data for admission purposes. 
4. Attach a CV. 
5. Attach a signed motivation letter specifying the academic discipline in which they aim to earn their doctoral degree.
6. Attach a scan of a diploma confirming higher education qualifications at Level 7 of the Polish Qualification Framework, along with a diploma
   supplement. For 2025/2026 graduates who have not yet received their diplomas, a certificate confirming PQF Level 7 qualifications, along
   with academic records, must be submitted, subject to section 3.
7. Attach a signed statement of documented achievements and supporting documents (for documents in languages other than Polish or
   English, a translation must be included). Applicants should indicate: 
a) Up to three scientific achievements. 
b) Up to three additional accomplishments, as defined by the criteria in § 11. 
8. Attach a signed proposal for an original research project, and in the case of admissions in connection with the implementation of a research
    project – an original concept for the implementation of the grant project. The project description, including the bibliography, must not exceed
   8  A4 pages and 15,000 characters with spaces (margins: 2.5 cm on each side; font: Times New Roman, 12 pt; line spacing: 1.5; text
    alignment: justified).
9. Attach a signed application for admission to the doctoral school, generated from the IRK system. 
10.Pay the admission fee outlined in §13. 
11.Attach a scan of a certificate confirming proficiency in a modern foreign language at a level of at least B2 – if the diploma does not confirm
     knowledge of this language at a level of at least B2. 

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 scan of a document certifying education – a diploma with a diploma supplement for first- and second-cycle studies (Bachelor’s, MSc, or MA degrees) in the original language; if the document is not in English, a copy of the diploma in English or Polish, or a certified translation of the diploma into English or Polish, shall also be provided;

2)    A scan of a diploma or certificate confirming knowledge of a modern foreign language at a level of at least B2;  

3)    A scan of a passport, in the case of foreign nationals.

 Evaluation criteria

The following shall be taken into account during the admission procedure:        

1)   The grade obtained in second-cycle studies or a uniform master’s degree programme (no more than 3 points); the candidate shall receive:

a)      3 points for a grade of at least very good or equivalent;

b)      2 points for a grade of good plus or equivalent;

c)       1 point for a grade of good or equivalent;

d)      3 points in the case of candidates applying for admission on the basis of the highest quality of scientific achievements (e.g. leadership of a project under the “Pearls of Science” programme).

In the absence of a diploma grade, the average grade from the course of studies shall be taken into account.

2)   Points for maximum three documented scientific achievements, in accordance with the detailed criteria for the candidate’s achievements, attached during electronic registration in the IRK system; no more than 22 points may be awarded.

3)   Points for other documented activities, based on a maximum of three achievements, in accordance with the detailed criteria for the candidate’s achievements in a given discipline; no more than 5 points may be awarded.

4)    Points for a research project prepared for the purposes of admission, and in the case of admission conducted in connection with the implementation of a research project – an original concept for the implementation of a grant project (no more than 20 points), with particular emphasis on:

a)     the ability to formulate the research objective and present the research problem;

b)     the originality of the research idea and the ability to select an appropriate method for solving the research problem;

c)      methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline;

d)     knowledge of existing research, supported by a basic bibliography;

e)     the significance of the project for the development of the chosen discipline;

f)       risk analysis of research tasks.

5)    The result of the interview, the scope of which shall include:

a)    knowledge and competences appropriate to the chosen discipline;

b)    elements of research methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline.

No more than 50 points may be awarded for the interview, and the maximum duration of the interview shall be 30 minutes.

Detailed admission criteria 2026/2027

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

A condition for admission to the doctoral school is inclusion on the ranking list within the limit of places for a given scientific discipline and the attainment of at least 60 points in the entire admissions process, including no fewer than 30 points form interview. 

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education is conducted on the basis of a curriculum and an individual research plan, and concludes with the submission of a doctoral thesis. The doctoral school curriculum comprises a catalogue of compulsory, compulsory elective, and optional modules.    

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 48 months.

Rules of admission to doctoral schools of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań in the academic year 2026/2027, Appendix to Resolution No. 132/2025/2026 of UAM Senate of 26 January, 2026.