PhD Student PhD 2023-03 RM

The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) is seeking a PhD student to work in Ruben Martin s Research

ICIQ is committed to performing excellent research at the frontier of knowledge in the broad area of chemistry (Catalysis, Artificial Photosynthesis, Activation of Small Molecules, Photovoltaics, Functional Molecular Assemblies and Chemical Biology, from either theoretical or experimental perspectives). The institute also aims at training the future generation of scientists by offering high-quality educational programmes to master, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers (Full details on ).

Our mission is to lead, from the vantage point of molecular science, cross-strategies for solving major social and economic challenges, such as climate change and sustainable supply of energetic and raw materials, thereby contributing to the establishment of a knowledge-based economy and improving citizens quality of life in our influence

The objective of the PhD fellowship is to support the candidate s enrolment in a training and research programme in the field of chemistry, ultimately leading to the completion of a Doctoral Thesis in partnership with the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV). The fellowship will also contribute to their professional career development, in the fields of academia and

This objective is achieved by:

• The performance of an individual research project under the direction of Rub n Martin, Group Leader, in a creative and stimulating scientific
• Opportunities for short stays in distinguished international research
• Opportunities for complementary training in both technical and soft Trainings are designed to ensure a successful career: weekly scientific seminars, hands-on training in the use of state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, IP management, entrepreneurship, research integrity, knowledge and technology transfer, grant applications, project management, communication skills and career

The fellowship is addressed to highly qualified and talented graduate students with a keen interest in chemical Candidates should have an excellent academic record, strong commitment to scientific research and a solid working knowledge of

Project Title and Description:

BREAKthrough: Breaking the barrier - An integrated multidisciplinary approach to kill Gram-negative bacteria through existing antibiotics by making their outer membrane permeable

Antimicrobial resistance, which is caused by multi-drug-resistant bacterial pathogens is a global health Gram-negative bacteria notably hinder effective treatment because of their impermeable outer membrane (OM). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of OM outer leaflet, is the key determinant of the OM barrier Consequently, many standard-of-care antibiotics cannot access intracellular targets in Gram-negative The objective of the BREAKthrough European Training Network is to destabilize the OM to make Gram-negative bacteria sensitive to these

In this context a PhD position is available in the group of Rub n Martin:

DC08: Synthesis of innovative Bam inhibitors passing the OM

The gram-negative -barrel assembly machine (Bam) complex is an essential membrane protein complex involved in insertion and folding of -barrel proteins into the outer membrane (OM). The candidate will work on the synthesis of novel Bam inhibitors, compounds permeable through the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, offering a significant step forward in overcoming antimicrobial

The main objectives of this organic synthesis project are:

- Deconvolute known Bam inhibitors into fragments and incorporate SPPR for design of novel compounds

- Synthesise key small compounds to inhibit Bam

- Support generation of the SPPR library

The project will involve collaborations and short research stays in ABAC Therapeutics (Spain) and Vrije Universiteit (the Netherlands).

Requirements

• Candidates must have a Master s or an equivalent degree in the areas of Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines that must be completed by the time of enrolment in the PhD
• Candidates should have a proven track record in synthetic organic chemistry
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are expected for an effective interaction with our multidisciplinary research team and other members of the Doctoral Network

Eligibility criteria

• You have not already completed (or successfully defended) a PhD degree
• You have not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, ) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your starting

Required Documentation:

• A full Curriculum Vitae (in PDF format). It should include the academic background, work or research experience, publications, conferences, grants and awards, previous participation in ICIQ programmes, other relevant merits and

• A personal statement that describes the applicant s academic background, research experience and career goals (maximum two DIN A4 pages, in PDF format). This is a very important section of the application The candidate must be able to communicate their interests and how these would align with ICIQ and a PhD Candidates should also mention the research group where they would like to carry out their PhD, and the reasons why they are interested in a particular group leader and their research

• Official transcripts of BSc and MSc studies in PDF A scanned copy of the certified academic record of the studies granting access to the PhD programme (BSc and MSc if available). In case that the MSc studies have not yet been completed at the time of the application, candidates must include details on the subjects in which they are currently enrolled (subject name and number of credits). For academic records not issued in Catalan, Spanish or English, a certified translation in English should be provided; otherwise, applications which do not include a certified translation of the academic record will be non-eligible and, therefore, not taken into For degrees obtained in foreign institutions, the academic record must include the range of marks used in the corresponding countries and the minimum mark to pass, as well as the hours or ECTS and marks for each

• Contact details for letters of recommendation of two University professors or other relevant individuals who can assess the candidate s potential for ICIQ will contact the people listed as references only in the event that a candidate is We suggest informing your

• English proficiency level: Applicants must provide evidence of their proficiency in written and oral communication in the English Preferably, by the submission of a B2 certificate, First Certificate, IELTS 6 or This certificate is not mandatory but desirable, and alternatively late stage candidates will be interviewed to assess their English Applicants from Anglosphere (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) are exempt from this

Desirable documentation

• Chemistry level: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Chemistry Test scores are an added advantage for

Grant Conditions

1. The awardees of an ICIQ PhD fellowship will be considered research personnel in training and they will have an employment contract (a pre-doctoral contract) which is regulated in the Spanish Law 14/2011, of June 1st, of Science, Technology and
2. Pre-doctoral contracts are renewed annually for up to 4 Renewal is subject to satisfactory performance in the PhD studies and related research
3. The gross yearly salary of the contract shall be split into 12 monthly payments and distributed as shown below:
   1. The first 36 months are funded within the BREAKthrough project with a gross salary of ,00 /year, including mobility
   2. In the case that the PhD position is extended for an extra 4^th year, salary will be according to the Spanish Investigation staff in formation statement (EPIF)
4. The fellowship includes full social security coverage through the Spanish Social Security system, providing access to the Spanish public health care system and pension and unemployment
5. The grant holder is entitled to temporarily interrupt the fellowship in the following situations: temporary disability, risk during pregnancy, maternity, paternity and adoption or foster The time elapsed during this interruption will not be accounted for against the total
6. The contract will take effect on the date when the awarded student joins the
7. The PhD fellowship includes the costs of enrolment in the PhD These costs will be paid by each beneficiary to the university, and later they will be refunded by The PhD thesis has to be completed within 4
8. The PhD fellowship awardees will work full-time at ICIQ and may not receive any other fellowship or regular
9. The PhD fellowship is incompatible with any other fellowship with the same

Benefits

• We offer a dynamic and resource-rich environment with the state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation where the predoctoral student will perform cutting-edge research and participate in scientific, technical, and soft skill training activities to develop key competences and boost career
• The BREAKthrough project funded under HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN action, aims to educate the next generation of scientists with expertise in antimicrobial Within the doctoral programmes it offers, doctoral candidates will benefit from the following:

- An extensive network-wide training programme offering courses in the areas of science and technology, business, as well as generic, transferable skills;

- The opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary team within a Europe-wide consortium of research institutions and SME/industrial partners, comprising experts in microbiology, pharmacology, and chemistry;

• With the wide range of skills and experience gained in the BREAKthrough project, doctoral candidates will have broadened their career perspectives and increased their employability, whether they decide to pursue a career in academia or