Description of the thesis topic

Coordination complexes based on lanthanides find broad application in numerous fields linked to optical activity. This thesis will aim at the design and development of novel luminescent lanthanide complexes with the ability of photonic upconversion, which is the emission of photons higher in energy than the exciting light. The candidate will synthetize, purify and characterize suitable ligands and the corresponding complexes. He/She will furthermore investigate the photophysical properties of the latter by a combination of several spectroscopic techniques (absorption and emission in the UV/Vis and NIR wavelength range). In addition, chiral features will be added to the complexes, rendering them suitable probes for studies of circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence.
During the thesis, the candidate will develop wide competences in the field of lanthanide complexes and their characterization by advanced spectroscopy.

Work Context

The candidate will work at the pluridisciplinary Hubert Curien institute (IPHC, UMR 7178) on the CNRS campus of Cronenbourg, in the north of Strasbourg, within the SynPA team (Synthèse pour l'Analyse) of the analytical sciences department. The working group consists at this time of 8 permanent researchers/teacher-researchers, 4 doctorants and one post-doctoral researcher. The candidate will be supervised by Annika Sickinger, researcher and Loïc Charbonnière, research director.
She/he will furthermore be registered at the doctoral school of Strasbourg (ED222). The candidate will benefit from access to the university restaurant, partial subvention of public transport tickets and the possibility of trainings. It is noteworthy that the institute is situated within zone of restricted access (ZRR), which demands validation by the responsible defense security officer (FSD) prior to the start of the contract.

The PhD candidate will be responsible to implement the proposed research project, to collaborate with researchers of other institutes and to participate in laboratory life.
Expected skills :
• Master in chemistry with a background in coordination chemistry, organic chemistry or related fields
• Routine in preparative synthesis (including work under inert gas atmosphere and column chromatography) and compound characterization (NMR)
• Experience in synthesis of metalorganic complexes or spectroscopic techniques appreciated
• English skills in written and spoken language, in order to present results in scientific publications and presentations
• Personal strengths: autonomy, accuracy, communicative and collaborative skills, proactivity, motivation
Interested candidates are invited to send an updated CV, a motivation letter and, if available, reference contacts and/or recommendation letters.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.