PhD Position: Self-Driving Labs for Physical Chemistry (2 openings)

1. Introduction

Do you want to contribute to the next level of self-driving labs? Are you excited about the application of high-throughput experiments to train AI tools to predict properties of complex mixtures? Then join our team as a PhD candidate!

2. Job description

Chemistry is a science of mixtures. Whether you think of complex formulations for drug delivery to the foam on your cappuccino: the properties of small molecules, polymers and proteins in the mixture together define the key properties of these systems. Predicting these properties by only studying their components might seem impossible... but that is what we aim to do in the Big Chemistry consortium.

The ambition of this project is to establish self-driving laboratories to rapidly measure key physical properties of mixtures of molecules, including solubility, viscosity, and surface or interfacial tension. We will train a range of AI models to allow us to predict these properties from the chemical structure alone. Once established, we will expand the self-driving labs to measure more complex properties such as foaming, phase separation or particle formation, and fine-tune our AI models.

In this project, you will combine a deep knowledge of physical chemistry with robotic systems and AI models. You will learn how to programme advanced robotic systems and how to implement aspects of deep learning and neural networks for chemical property prediction. You will be part of the Big Chemistry consortium and will also be involved in training and teaching BSc and MSc students (10% of your working time).

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate. 

3. Profile

• You have a Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, soft matter physics, or a related field.
• You are motivated by deep scientific curiosity, have excellent experimental and quantitative skills and possess a drive to learn and develop new methods and concepts.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• You have a strong affinity with teamwork and thrive in an international, ambitious, multidisciplinary and highly collaborative environment.

4. We are

The department of Physical Organic Chemistry is an international, diverse and multidisciplinary team of chemists, physicists, biologists, engineers and AI/ML scientists at the Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). The Big Chemistry consortium is funded by the Dutch National Growth fund and combines AI and chemistry with the aim to accelerate research in complex molecular systems.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Wilhelm Huck. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled during the recruitment period. Therefore, you will receive feedback and information about a possible follow-up process shortly. If a suitable candidate is found before the closing date, the vacancy will be closed, and further applications will no longer be possible. You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible, but employment must commence no later than December 31, 2025. 

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.