Faculty of Chemistry

Description

The Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers of the Faculty of Chemistry at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland is seeking a candidate for a doctoral student position in photoactive layers formation & characterization in the framework of a SONATA BIS programme project “Light-Activated AntiMicrobial (LAAM) coatings: future application of modern energy transfer organic materials” funded by the National Science Centre of Poland.

Project outline

The presented project is addressed towards the formation and wide characterization of the new covalently attached layers containing organic photosensitizers that could be applied as Light-Activated AntiMicrobial (LAAM) coatings. New heavy-atom-free triplet organic photosensitizers containing various light-harvesting antennas and surface-anchoring groups will be firstly synthesized and then immobilized on a solid support in (electro)chemical grafting processes. The photophysical and photochemical properties of the photosensitizers will be characterized both in a solution or in a form of a film. Additionally, several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, like UVVis, XPS, Raman, IR, AFM, SEM, contact angle measurements will be applied for the characterization of the deposited coatings. Finally, an attempt will be made to boost also the antifouling properties of the coatings by changing the hydrophobicity of the LAAMs by forming mixed monolayer. In the last step, the antimicrobial activity of the thin layers will be tested using most common bacterial strains, like Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli. The crucial achievement of the project should be the formation of the stable antimicrobial coatings generating ROS with the high efficiency under the illumination of daylight.

Doctoral student’s responsibilities

The Doctoral student will join the research project entitled: “Light-Activated AntiMicrobial (LAAM) coatings: future application of modern energy transfer organic materials”, funded under the SONATA BIS 11 call.

Responsibilities of the Doctoral student, will involve:

• experimental scientific work, including: i) formation of photoactive organic layers from novel triplet organic photosensitizers containing surface anchoring groups, ii) characterization of photoactive layers by UV-Vis-NIR and IR/Raman spectroscopies, iii) photophysical analysis of resulting layers, iv) investigation of the antimicrobial properties of the most promising coatings
• analysis and interpretation of the obtained results
• collaboration with the project leader and co-investigators in implementing the research plan and achieving the project's goals
• preparation of drafts of manuscripts of scientific publications
• presentation of the obtained results at scientific conferences

Application requirements

Applicant should hold a master degree in chemistry or physics. Candidate should have the experience in formation and characterization of organic layers. Expectations towards candidates:

• knowledge in the area of organic coatings, photochemistry, spectroscopic & microscopic techniques
• experience in working with scientific equipment
• good organisational skills, motivation and commitment to research work
• ability to critically evaluate the results obtained
• ability to work individually, and in a team
• good active and passive command of the English language
• candidates with the experience in surface functionalization by (electro)grafting process and/or investigation of photoactive coatings will be preferred

Required documents:

• Curriculum Vitae including scientific achievements
• Cover letter

Admission criteria:

https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2019/uchwala25_2019-zal1.pdf 

Application submission:

1. Deadline:15^th of September 2025, 23:59 CEST
2. Application should be sent to Agata Blacha-Grzechnik at: agata.blacha@polsl.pl 

Terms of engagement

• Monthly scholarship of 4500 PLN
• Starting date: 1^st October 2025