Two PhD Positions (3 years, fully funded) available - Apply now!
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
Two PhD Positions on the topic of Synthesis and Application of Conjugated Polymers with Interchain Aromaticity are available in our lab:
Project: ERC Starting Grant “INTERCHAIN” (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101162721)
Location: Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
Application deadline: 30 August 2026 (interviews with promising candidates may start before the application deadline)
Start date: As soon as possible for the applicant
About the project
INTERCHAIN develops a ground-breaking new molecular design for conjugated polymers that enables exceptionally strong interchain interactions. By integrating suitably designed macrocyclic motifs into polymer backbones, the project aims to achieve interchain stacked-ring aromaticity and interchain π‑electron delocalisation, alongside intrachain delocalisation, providing conjugated polymers with outstanding charge transport properties. The work is expected to advance our fundamental understanding of stacked-ring aromaticity and to deliver stable, processable conjugated polymers for organic electronics and organic battery electrodes with outstanding performance.
Two positions
One of the two PhD positions will be focused on the molecular design, synthesis, and polymerization aspects of the role description below (PhD position 1), while the other will be focused on processing, solid-state characterization and application aspects (PhD position 2). Your profile should match one of these positions.
Your role
Depending on the position that is more suitable for you, you will:
design, synthesize, and purify macrocycle-based monomers and conjugated polymers that allow for interchain stacked-ring aromaticity,
develop and optimize macrocyclization and cross-coupling reactions with control over molecular weight, regioregularity, and solubility,
establish robust workflows, scaling up key intermediates and polymers,
perform comprehensive characterization of intermediates and polymers in solution and solid state: 1H/13C/2D NMR spectroscopy, GPC, MS/HRMS, UV–Vis–NIR and fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR/Raman, DSC/TGA, cyclic voltammetry and other electrochemical measurements, elemental analysis,
optimize polymer thin-film formation using different techniques,
probe signatures of stacked-ring aromaticity and strong interchain interactions via spectroscopic and electrochemical methods and work with collaborators on advanced characterization, charge-transport measurements, and applications,
work closely with computational collaborators to guide molecular design and interpret experiments,
support and collaborate with other team/lab members,
(co-)supervise bachelor and master theses,
maintain meticulous records of experiments and measurements, including detailed documentation in the electronic lab notebook and curation of research data for FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) publication, contributing to open, reproducible research,
disseminate results in high-impact journals and at conferences,
write invention disclosures and collaborate with patent attorneys on patent applications,
ensure compliance with SOPs and safety procedures.
What we offer
A salary of EUR 2,832.10 gross (14 x per year, corresponding to an annual salary of EUR 39,649.40 gross), health and pension insurance.
A centrally located workplace in a city that is consistently ranked among the world’s top cities for quality of life.
A supportive, interdisciplinary environment (bridging synthetic chemistry, polymer science, physical and materials chemistry, and device applications) to work on your PhD.
State-of-the-art facilities for organic/polymer synthesis, structural characterization, spectroscopy and electrochemistry; collaboration with advanced characterization and application labs.
An international network that can facilitate research visits to other labs.
Professional development support, including through a dedicated predoc coaching programme (WINA+, https://url.tuwien.at/evkyr).
Various benefits (https://url.tuwien.at/whlqy), including a 55% subsidy if you purchase the Klimaticket Ö, the public transport ticket valid throughout Austria (https://url.tuwien.at/zcpid).
What your formal qualifications look like
MSc (or equivalent) in Synthetic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field (completed by the start date).
Excellent written and spoken English.
Please note that German skills are not required for the positions. If you would like to learn the language, German courses are available.
What you have done in the past
Depending on the position that is more suitable for you, you have previously:
developed and optimized cross-coupling reactions (e.g., Suzuki, Stille, and/or direct arylation) for the synthesis of novel conjugated compounds (small molecules and polymers),
purified the novel compounds and characterized them by NMR (ideally beyond routine 1D NMR), GPC, mass spectrometry, UV–Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman/FTIR spectroscopy, and/or electrochemical measurements (CV, spectroelectrochemistry),
prepared thin-films of organic materials using common techniques (spin/blade/slot-die coating), annealed and characterized the thin-films (UV–Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements, and other characterization),
carried out mobility/conductivity measurements of (organic) materials or performed other in-depth characterization,
been exposed to applications of conjugated polymers,
developed a red thread / story line for a paper that has been published (or is intended for publication) or for an impactful master thesis (important for both positions).
What will make you stand out
Knowledge and experience in the area of the other PhD position (the one you do not apply for).
Evidence of interest in green/safe-by-design synthesis and materials processing.
Research experience outside of an academic setting.
Understanding of (anti)aromaticity concepts as applied to conjugated macrocycles.
Supervision of Bachelor and Master students gives you energy, and you enjoy passing on your knowledge to others.
How to apply
Please record a short video (up to max. 6 minutes) in which you tell us about:
your most significant research project to date; describe your role, the key decisions you made along the way, and what you took away from the experience,
how your background connects to the advertised position(s),
the supervision and mentoring style that brings out the best in you, as well as what doesn't work for you,
what a good lab environment looks like to you; what would help you thrive, and what would make things difficult.
There are no right or wrong answers, but your video will help us get to know you. Don’t worry about production quality; a phone camera is perfectly fine.
Prepare your CV (with publications/conference contributions, if any). Please include your e‑mail address in your CV.
Prepare your academic transcripts/certificates (BSc and MSc certificates or equivalent).
Upload the files (video, CV and certificates) here (after entering your name): https://url.tuwien.at/upwzc
TU Wien is committed to increasing the proportion of women in particular in leadership positions. Female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply.
Informal enquiries
For questions about the positions or the project, contact Dr. Florian Glöcklhofer (florian.gloecklhofer@tuwien.ac.at). More information about the lab: https://research.gloecklhofer.eu/