PhD position Synthetic Organic Chemistry of Functional Materials

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Organisation/Company University of Cologne Department Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Chemistry » Molecular chemistry Chemistry » Physical chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 15 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Negotiable Hours Per Week 26 Offer Starting Date 1 Jun 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Who we are — We are a synthetic chemistry group with a focus on layered, macrocyclic, and photoswitching materials. Our interests are centered on synthetic challenges of polyaromatic scaffolds. The projects in our group range from fundamental structural chemistry to application-oriented materials, while all topics follow the concept of small-molecule synthesis and subsequent structuring in either Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), supramolecular assemblies, or spinmaterials.

With those materials in hand, we aim at creating functions like photochemical magnetic switching, energy storage, solar energy conversion, OLED emission, or sensing — in close collaboration with other research groups on campus and worldwide.

What we offer — The PhD project will focus on the preparation of polyaromatic compounds using various synthetic and modern catalytic approaches and their application in battery materials, covalent organic frameworks, molecular photoswitches, or OLED emitting materials. We prefer to discuss the exact topics of the project personally with the most promising applicants and adjust the direction of research individually. The successful candidate will work in a highly interdisciplinary and world-leading research environment.

The PhD degree is a 3.5-year research-intensive program with the chance to teach lab courses and tutorials. International conference visits will be fully funded and supported during the PhD time.

What we are looking for — You should have experience in synthetic chemistry and related analytical techniques, be open to learn many new methods, and you should have a motivated attitude to work in a diverse international research team.

E-mail applica

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

You should have experience in synthetic chemistry and related analytical techniques, be open to learn many new methods, and you should have a motivated attitude to work in a diverse international research team.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Selection process

Applications will be screened, and selected candidates will be invited for a short zoom call. After this, we will schedule a meeting (on-site or via video call) with all current group members of the research team.

Additional comments

We offer a competitive salary (65% of a TVL-E13 position, which is comparable to 65% of a full postdoc salary).

Number of offers available 2 Company/Institute University of Cologne, Institute of Organic Chemistry Country Germany City Köln Postal Code 50939 Street Greinstrasse 4 Geofield