Post-Doctoral Researcher

Istanbul Kültür Üniversitesi

PUBLIC NOTICE

Post-Doctoral Researcher Position (Chemistry) at Istanbul Kültür University, Istanbul, Türkiye - TÜBİTAK 2247-B TUNVIB-Bridge Project

I - Reference, Place of Work and Fellowship:

A full-time post-doctoral researcher position (Ref: TUNVIB-Bridge-PD) is available at Istanbul Kültür University (IKU), IKU SPECTRA, within the project “Bridging Quantum Tunneling Reactivity from Cryogenic Matrices to Ambient Conditions” (TUNVIB-Bridge), funded by TÜBİTAK under the 2247-B ERC Support Program (Project No. 126C041), Principal Investigator Prof. Dr. Rui Fausto.

The position is offered for the whole duration of the project (24 months), with a TÜBİTAK post-doctoral fellowship of 43,500 TL per month (total employment cost), paid in accordance with the 2247-B Program rules. The fellowship will start upon signature of the project contract with TÜBİTAK; the exact start date will be communicated in due time.

II - Position Objectives, Admission Requirements and Skills:

Position Objectives: TUNVIB-Bridge aims to provide the first proof-of-concept that quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT)-controlled and vibrationally-directed chemical reactivity can be translated from cryogenic environments to temperatures approaching room temperature. The project uses two complementary platforms - xenon and nitrogen cryogenic matrices (4-60 K) and highly viscous perfluoropolyether (PFPE) media at room temperature - and focuses on triplet nitrenes generated from aryl azides, addressing C-H bond activation and hydrogen-transfer reactions leading to valuable heterocycles (e.g., lactams and isoxazoles) and QMT-assisted C-N bond formation.

The post-doctoral researcher will work mainly in:

WP1 - Synthesis of the nitrene precursor azides: design and multistep synthesis of a library of (mainly fluorinated) aryl azides, including new variants of literature procedures, isotopically labelled analogues (²H, ¹³C, ¹5N) when required, and purification and structural characterization of the products, under inert atmosphere and protected from light.

WP2 - Cryogenic matrix-isolation experiments and calculations: participation in matrix-isolation studies of the precursors in Xe and N² matrices (UV photolysis, narrowband IR excitation, FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, kinetics) and in supporting quantum-chemical calculations (DFT, TD-DFT, tunneling rates).

Admission Requirements and Skills: The candidates shall:

•    hold a PhD in Chemistry (Organic Chemistry) or a closely related field, obtained by the start date of the fellowship;

•    have strong, demonstrated hands-on experience in multistep organic synthesis, including work under inert atmosphere (Schlenk line / glovebox), purification and structural characterization of organic compounds;

•    have experience, or demonstrate the capacity to work safely, with sensitive and potentially hazardous compounds (e.g.,organic azides, fluorinated reagents);

•    have a good command of written and spoken English;

•    meet the TÜBİTAK 2247-B and BİDEB eligibility conditions for post-doctoral fellows (full-time work on the project, no incompatible fellowship) and register in theTÜBİTAK ARBİS system before the appointment.

Advantages: experience with reactive intermediates (nitrenes, carbenes) and/or photochemistry; knowledge of vibrational (IR/Raman) and UV-Vis spectroscopy; experience with matrix isolation, vacuum and cryogenic techniques; familiarity with quantum-chemical calculations (e.g., Gaussian, DFT/TD-DFT).

Candidates should be highly motivated and collaborative, with excellent communication skills; the successful candidate will present their work at conferences and lead peer-reviewed publications.

III - Application:

Applications must be submitted via the “Apply” button on this page by25 November 2026.Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to submit the documents below. The full notice is on the IKU SPECTRA website (Ref: TUNVIB-Bridge-PD).

III.1. Curriculum Vitae (English), dated and signed, structured to respond separately to the following evaluation items:

A.  Articles in indexed journals, books or book chapters in the scientific area of the position;

B.  Experimental expertise in organic synthesis, purification and characterization of organic compounds;

C.  Experience in spectroscopy, photochemistry, reactive intermediates, cryogenic/matrix-isolation techniques and/or computational chemistry;

D.  Participation in research projects, research stays and scientific meetings;

E.   Mentoring of students, awards and other relevant academic activities.

III.2. Copy of the PhD diploma and other certificates (certified English translation, if not in English or Turkish).

III.3. Motivation letter (English, max. 2 pages) on the candidate’s interest and fit with the project objectives.

III.4. Copies of the 3 most relevant works/papers, with a separate document explaining the choice, their scientific impact and the candidate’s contribution (English).

III.5. Names and contact details of two referees.

Proofs for the CV items shall be provided (DOIs are enough).Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

IV - Selection Methods and Criteria:

Candidates approved in absolute merit (CV adequate for the position, items A-E) will be evaluated on their scientific and curricular background (100%, or 60% if an interview is held), with weightsA: 35%, B: 35%, C: 15%, D: 10%, E: 5%. If necessary, an interview (40%, may be held online) will assess motivation, laboratory safety awareness and English communication skills.

V - Selection Process and Ranking:

1st jury meeting: admission check, absolute merit and ranked list (final if no interviews, otherwise provisional).2nd meeting: interviews, if held, and final ranked list.3rd meeting: appeals. Ranking is decided by successive vote rounds based on written individual rankings; no abstentions.

VI - Notification of the Candidates:

Results will be notified by e-mail. Candidates may appealwithin 10 days of notification; the jury’s decision on appeals is final and subject to approval by the Rector. The appointment issubject to TÜBİTAK approval. If the selected candidate withdraws or is ineligible, the next ranked candidate may be offered the position.

VII - Selection Jury:

Chair: Prof. Dr. Rui Fausto M. R. S. Lourenço (PI, IKU).Members: Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Martıns Rıbeıro Da Sılva Lourenço (Director of IKU SPECTRA, IKU); Prof. Dr. Cláudio M. Nunes (University of Coimbra, Portugal); Dr. Licínia Justino Simões (University of Coimbra, Portugal).

VIII - Final Remarks:

IKU promotes equal opportunities and complies with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Istanbul Kültür University, November 2026