About this position
Grant/funding reference: PID2022-137361NB-I00
Job title: New Bispyridinium Molecular Switches Towards Controlled Chemical Function in Aqueous Media
Research line / Scientific-technical services: Materials and molecular chemistry.
Grant/funding period: START: 01/09/2023 END: 31/12/2026
Centre of Principal Researcher: CICA
PURPOSE OF CONTRACT: Collaborator on activities related to the project/agreement stated.
JOB LOCATION AND SCHEDULE: QUIMOLMAT 5 Laboratory (CICA). Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
a) Tasks to be carried out
The overall objective of the project is the design and study of molecular receptors with dual responsiveness to light and pH stimuli, contributing to expanding the possibilities of functional control in biologically relevant media.
Three specific goals are envisaged:
Stage 1. Technical support in the synthesis of linear photovermellogen systems with the ability to respond simultaneously to acid–base and photochemical stimuli, taking advantage of the E/Z isomerization of C=N bonds and the modulation of pKa values around physiological pH.
Stage 2. Technical support in the development of photocolorboxes: implementation of photovermellogen in macrocycles and cryptands, exploring their structural diversity and dual-stimulus properties, with possibilities for further functionalization through metal coordination or peptide coupling.
Stage 3. Technical support in applicability studies: evaluation of photocolorboxes as molecular receptors for compounds of biomedical interest (drugs, neurotransmitters) and environmental relevance (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), studying their thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of complexation and the effect of stimulation on recognition processes. The methodology proposed to achieve these objectives includes the modular synthesis of building blocks based on pyridines and related heterocycles, and their self-assembly into photovermellogens and colorboxes.
The resulting compounds will be studied using advanced structural characterization techniques (multidimensional NMR, X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis, IR and fluorescence spectroscopies), photoisomerization studies and pKa determination, together with thermodynamic and kinetic analyses by ITC, cyclic voltammetry, and DFT-D calculations.
b) Justification of the contract duration
The proposed duration of the contract is considered sufficient to carry out the technical research support tasks assigned and described in the planning outlined above
Requirements
Research Field
Chemistry
Education Level
Bachelor Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Academic qualification: Degree or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry
How to apply
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- Prepare your SOP, CV, transcripts and referees before the deadline.
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