CTC Group Leader for Data-driven Chemistry (m/f/d)
30.06.2024
as soon as possible
Full time
About us
The Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC) is a new research Center supported by a joint initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research, the Free State of Saxony and the State of Saxony-Anhalt. The mission of the CTC is to foster an ecosystem for innovation toward the establishment of a circular economy with chemistry as its foundation. In this context, the CTC’s thematic areas aim to modernize chemical R&D via the implementation of Automation, Standardization and Data-driven experimentation, pushing technologies and process in the area of Recycling and the Valorization of Renewable Feedstocks while keeping in mind the measurable Societal-Environmental-Economic impacts of our efforts. To achieve this goal, the CTC will establish a research department called the Talent Factory (Talentschmiede), which will support up to 40 young group leaders in starting their independent careers and pursuing their own creative ideas. Located approximately 30 minutes from Leipzig and Halle (Saale) in Leuna, you will have the opportunity to grow your own group and pursue your own independent career.
Your tasks and qualifications
Objectives of the call
The CTC is looking for early-career scientists who have demostrated exceptional scientific achievements and are ready to embark on their own independent careers. In particular, we are seeking innovative proposals (see links below for templates) for the foundation of a new CTC research group. We are looking for candidates to clearly communicate a problem and briefly explain how they intend to address challenges in the one of the areas outlined below. The intent is that these theoretical and data-driven approaches will be connected with results from wet labs of network partners or future CTC groups. The aim is to advance research in one of the following domains:
- Data-driven and computer-aided synthesis planning, ideally with a focus on the valorization of renewable feedstocks
- Molecular Dynamics for polymers/composites toward the prediction of their material properties
- Prediction of solubility, ideally organic small molecules
Description of Support
One candidate will be chosen to start a group as head of one of the five pilot projects for the CTC startup phase (31.12.2025), which will be continued in the institutional funding phase of the CTC for a total of up to seven years. The group leader and up to five full-time scientists will be funded. In addition, the necessary infrastructure for executing the proposed project will be filled on a project-specific basis
Your profile
Eligibility
To be eligible for the call the candidates should have:
- A PhD in a relevant area – achieved no more than seven years before the call’s open date*.
- A track-record of scientific excellence evidenced by at least one important publication as main author or without participation of their PhD supervisor, i.e. postdoctoral work.
- International research (ideal but not required).
More details can be found in the supplementary “Information For Applicants”.
What we offer
What we offer in terms of personal support
- The chance to start your independent career as a founding group at the CTC.
- Networking opportunities with top academics and representatives from industry.
- Competitive compensation according to TVöD-Bund up to E14 depending on the candidate’s qualifications.
- Partial compensation of Job Commute Ticket.
- Comprehensive social benefits, including 30 days of vacation, annual special payment, and additional pension scheme (VBL).
- Term-limited position until the 31st of December, 2025 with planned prolongation after 2025.