Description of the thesis topic

Doctorate in Chemistry: Engineering efficient biomimetic photo-switches
Topics: Synthesis of molecular photo-switches, high photo-isomerization quantum yield by chemical design, ultrafast photo-chemistry

The aim of the thesis is part of the European doctoral network LUMIERE (http://lumiere-dn.eu) which proposes an interdisciplinary approach between physicists and chemists to study ultrafast molecular photoswitches. The main question is how to control the efficiency of photoisomerization in organic molecules by chemical design? We are inspired by biological photoswitches such as retinal, which are known for their isomerization rates on the scale of 0.2 to 5 ps.
Photo-switchable molecules are important for applications as nano-materials, molecular motors or in photo-pharmacology. With a combined experimental and theoretical approach we wish to establish rational bases between the chemical structure and the ultrafast dynamics of excited states, in particular at conical intersections (CInt). It is these intersections that ultimately determine the quantum yields of photo-isomerisation reactions.

In the present PhD project in chemistry, the objective is to explore a variety of chemical modifications of biomimetic photo-switches based on oxopyrrole scaffolds inspired by the green fluorescent protein (GFP). The PhD student will
1) Modify the chemical structures of the compounds. In particular, study the effect of substituents with different electron-donating and -withdrawing properties on the influence of the C=C double bond isomerization and on the charge transfer nature of the photo-induced processes
2) Modify the chemical structures of the compounds with respect to steric hindrance and charge-transfer properties by varying the donor-acceptor distance via introduction of -conjugated bridges.
3) Modify the chemical structures of the compounds with respect to their amphiphilic properties in order to investigate the effect of the self-assembly onto the photoisomerization properties
4) Perform ultrafast UV-vis spectroscopy of the synthesized compounds and obtain the isomerization reaction time and QY (w. S. Haacke, IPCMS-CNRS Strasbourg).

Expected results:
1) Synthesis of a novel class of biomimetic photoswitches
2) A modulation of the reaction efficiency induced by chemical substitutions.
3) A substitution-dependent excited state lifetime and photo-isomerization dynamics
4) Elucidation of their excited state properties by advanced computational chemistry approaches (coll. R. Mitric, U Würzburg)

Techniques to be used:
Organic chemistry syntheses, chemical purification via chromatographic techniques and spectroscopic characterization (mono and bi-dimensional NMR, MS, HPLC).

The candidates must hold a master degree in Chemical Science with a solid background in synthetic organic or organometallic chemistry. Knowledge of optical spectroscopy methods will be a plus. He/she should be able to work with autonomy in a multidisciplinary environment and possess a curiosity-driven attitude. Advanced knowledge and written and spoken communication skills in English (B2) is required. Knowledge of French is not essential, at the moment of hiring.
The candidate must provide a letter of motivation, a detailed CV including the list of marks and the contact details of one (or two) reference(s).
The gross salary ranges from 2951 to 3371€/month depending on the amount of family allowance.

Work Context

The PhD candidate will be enrolled at the Doctoral School of Physics and Physical Chemistry (ED182).
The PhD work will be supervised by Pr. M. Mauro, presently hosted at the Institute of Physics and Materials of Materials Strasbourg (IPCMS) (https://www.ipcms.fr/en/matteo-mauro/), in the frame of a collaboration with the group of Pr. Stefan Haacke (IPCMS). During the duration of the project, Pr. Mauro will join the Department of Chemical Sciences of the University of Padua (Italy), implying that the PhD candidate will ultimately move to Padua as well.


Ten PhD projects are funded by the European MCSA program, and the network spans over Italy, France, Germany, Sweden and Czech Republic. In European doctoral networks, special attention is paid to the training of the PhD students in view of their future employment in the private sector in Europe. Industrial partners contribute to LUMIERE by hosting the doctoral candidates for short internships (3 months in total).
The position should ideally be filled by April 1st, 2025.

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.

Constraints and risks

An advanced level of English (B2) is required for this position. Knowledge of the French language is a plus, but not necessary at the time of hiring.
The mobility rules for European projects must be respected: The candidate must not have resided in France for more than 12 months over the last 3 years.
Short stays in other labs in France and abroad for complementary characterization of the compounds. Risks linked to chemical synthesis, chemical manipulation and laser/LED light irradiation.

Additional Information

LUMIERE is a MCSA doctoral network funded by the European Union. Visit the project's web site http://lumiere-dn.eu