PhD Positions

Offer Description

The proposed solution and innovation, driven by the Mecat network, centers on establishing the integrated European framework where the development of mechanocatalysis is a cohesive, closed-loop process. The central innovation is the mechanocatalysis, which proactively embeds sustainability by ensuring that metrics are design parameters rather than retrospective evaluations. This is achieved through the direct integration of real-time data from operando-instrumented mechanochemical platforms (such as ball mills and extruders, delivering multimodal datasets like Raman and FTIR) into predictive kinetic and reactor models. These models subsequently inform validated Integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) workflows, which guide the design of catalysts and process optimisation. The crucial move toward industrial relevance, and a core strength of Mecat, is the guaranteed ability to achieve pilot-scale implementation, secured by the direct availability of necessary advanced reactors within the consortium. Mecat's unique structure is not limited to lab-bench scale; its industrial partners and research pillars provide collective access to specialized, high-throughput equipment, including twin-screw extruders, Resonant Acoustic Mixing (RAM) systems, and industrial mills. This collective infrastructure allows the seamless translation of powder-scale discoveries to continuous processing and validation at the kilogram scale. By unifying this methodology from lab to pilot scale through five interconnected pillars- mechanistic elucidation, catalyst design, pilot-scale implementation, quantitative sustainability benchmarking, and interdisciplinary doctoral training- Mecat establishes the foundations for reproducible, industry-ready, solvent-free catalysis and polymer upcycling/recycling, directly addressing the current immaturity of the field. Together, these pillars create an integrated innovation pipeline that aligns directly with MSCA DN objectives: high-quality, interdisciplinary training; intersectoral mobility; and the development of researchers equipped to drive Europe’s green transition.

Beneficiaries & Research Institutions

Mecat brings together nine leading academic institutions and 12 non-academic partners, forming a uniquely comprehensive consortium that covers the entire mechanocatalysis value chain. This alignment is not found in any current MSCA DN or Horizon Europe project.

• Academic leaders (UP, UNICA, BAM, RUB, UoB, UU) provide expertise in mechanochemistry, catalysis, polymer chemistry and operando methods, while ENS Lyon and HUB will deliver the doctorate diploma only.
• Applied research organisations (IFPEN, FCBA, Fraunhofer) bridge fundamental discoveries with process engineering and industrial validation.
• Technology providers (Retsch, Microtrac, WAB, HTE Gmbh) supply advanced mechanochemical reactors, mill instrumentation and high-throughput platforms.
• Industrial end-users (Saint-Gobain, Syensqo, Johnson Matthey, ARD) define real-world constraints, host secondments and provide pilot-scale environments.
• Sustainability experts (UBx, WeLOOP) ensure that LCA and TEA steer decision-making throughout the project.

This consortium ensures complete coverage of all required competencies, from laboratory-scale mechanistic insight to industrial demonstration and provides DCs with a vibrant intersectoral training environment. The continuous exchange of materials, data, and models among partners embeds each DC in a real, functioning innovation chain, rather than isolated research tasks.

Project description:

This doctoral project is dedicated to unraveling the fundamental physical chemistry of mechanocatalysis by systematically establishing the activation energies of solid-state reactions. Utilizing ball mills and media free methods, the candidate will extract high-resolution kinetic profiles for benchmark mechanocatalytic transformations. A primary objective is to investigate how these apparent activation energies and reaction kinetics fluctuate as a direct function of varying bulk material properties and the strategic introduction of solid or liquid additives.

By analyzing these kinetic profiles, the project seeks to bridge a critical knowledge gap: explicitly defining which mechanistic principles are conserved from classical solution-based chemistry and which phenomena are entirely unique to the solid-state environment. This comparative mechanistic elucidation is essential for moving mechanochemistry from an empirical practice to a rationally designed science. Crucially, this fundamental understanding will be directly leveraged to advance the network’s sustainability goals. By identifying the specific bulk-additive synergies and milling parameters that most effectively lower activation barriers, the candidate will establish protocols for minimizing energy input.

Where to apply

E-mail: lars.borchardt@rub.de

Requirements

Research Field: Chemistry » Organic chemistry

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience in synthetic organic chemistry, ideally with a background in complex methodologies such as transition-metal catalysis, photoredox catalysis, or radical chemistry.
• Proven ability to manage and execute optimization-heavy synthetic projects. The candidate must be comfortable running, tracking, and evaluating high volumes of reactions where minor variable adjustments dictate the outcome.
• Routine proficiency in standard structural elucidation and spectroscopic techniques necessary for evaluating organic reaction yields and kinetics (e.g., NMR, HRMS, FTIR, and chromatography).
• Experience with air- and moisture-sensitive techniques (e.g., Schlenk line, glovebox) and running mechanistic control experiments is highly desirable, showcasing the necessary precision for tracking delicate kinetic profiles.

Doctoral candidates will spend time two secondments during their 36 month employment contracts. Anticipated secondments for this position are:

(1) University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy, 6 months

(2) HTE GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany, 4 months

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF document to lars.borchardt@rub.de and sven.graetz@rub.de, named with your full name.

1. A detailed CV (maximum two pages), specifying educational background (name of university/universities, year degree(s) obtained, title(s) of degree(s)), qualifications, work experience, skills, research interests, list of publications (if any) and the names and contact details of two referees.
2. A motivation letter (maximum two pages), describing the candidate’s interest in the network, previous research experience, and current research interest outlining the fit to the desired PhD Project. If you are planning to apply to more than one position in the network, please limit your applications to three positions maximum (from DC1 to DC15) and please provide a separate document detailing which positions you have applied for.
3. Copy of passport or National Identify Card.
4. Copies of academic certificates (BSc, MSc, and any other relevant diplomas), translated into English, including expected final grade and date.
5. Proof of English proficiency, demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL, or a university certification confirming that the degree or MSc thesis was conducted in English.
6. Two recommendation letters (maximum 1 page each).

Only documents in English will be accepted.

Applications failing to include the requested documentation, who do not indicate the preferred projects or do not meet the eligibility criteria, will not be considered.

Specific Requirements

An excellent Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, or a closely related field.

A strong academic track record that demonstrates a deep theoretical understanding of organic reaction mechanisms, reactive intermediates, and catalytic cycles.

A highly persistent and methodical work ethic. The candidate must possess the resilience required to systematically track kinetic data across thousands of slightly varied experimental iterations without losing focus on data integrity.

The ability to move beyond simply running reactions to critically understanding why small differences in bulk materials or additives alter the synthetic pathways in a solid-state environment.

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Excellent

Research Field: Chemistry » Organic chemistry

Additional Information

Benefits

• Cutting-edge research training in mechanochemistry
• First-hand experience in the development of new sustainable chemistry methods.
• International, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral mobility, with secondments across Europe.
• Joint supervision by leading experts from academia and industry.
• Participation in international conferences, workshops, and transferable skills training.
• Competitive salary, mobility allowance following MSCA-DN funding rules.

An attractive salary in accordance with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action regulations for doctoral candiates is offered.

Please note that all compulsory national contributions (social security, pension, insurances, taxes etc.) to be borne by the employer and employee shall be deducted from the abovementioned amounts in line with Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action rules. These deductions vary between countries and institutions.

Eligibility criteria

To apply for one of these PhD positions, the applicant must fulfil the following conditions at the day of recruitment:

• MSc degree. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, chemical engineering or related fields. Candidates must not have been awarded a previous PhD degree.
• English proficiency: Applicants must have excellent English proficiency, at least B2 level (written and spoken).

Selection process

The selection process will be conducted in two stages:

• An initial interview will be carried out by the supervisors to shortlist up to two candidates for each Doctoral Candidate (DC) position.
• Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to a second interview with the Selection Committee, which will make the final recruitment decision.

Additional comments

The PhD title will be awarded by the Ruhr-University Bochum. Enrollment in the PhD course is necessary.

The desired research field for candidates is Chemistry

Website for additional job details: BITE

Website for additional job details: https://ic2mp.labo.univ-poitiers.fr/

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Ruhr-University Bochum
• Country: Germany

Contact

State/Province: Germany

City: bochum