PhD studentship:
Chemistry and Synthesis of Ancient Perfumery Compounds

Project description

The Jahn and Coughlin groups at IOCB Prague and the Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague offer a PhD studentship starting in May 2023.

The project is a unique cooperation between chemists, archaeologists, and historians, and involves determining and describing in modern chemical terms the operations used in ancient perfumery (Egyptian, Greek, Roman), as well as analysis of potential perfume compositions and total synthesis of selected odorant compounds.

The successful candidate will work at an excellent European institution with state-of-the-art facilities in an international group of PhD students and postdocs in Organic Chemistry, Egyptology and the History of Science.

Prague offers a stimulating atmosphere to accomplish your goals and is an excellent place to live.

You have:

  • M.Sc. in Organic Chemistry

  • Very good theoretical knowledge of Organic Chemistry

  • Very good oral and written communication skills in English

  • Excellent expertise in structure elucidation of organic compounds

  • Creative practical lab experience to master interdisciplinary collaboration and historical context

We offer:

  • Good financial remuneration

  • Initial full-time fixed-term contract for 1 year, with the potential of extension for another three years

  • 5 weeks of vacation plus 3 sick days

  • Health insurance and full benefits package incl. contribution to supplementary pension insurance and contribution to sports / culture/ leisure time

  • Meal subsidy

  • Financial support for mothers with young children

  • Location in the stunning city of Prague, our research facilities feature a state-of-the-art instrumentation portfolio

Start

  • The starting date of the position is May 2023.

How to apply

Please send your motivation letter, CV, and transcripts of records to Dr. Ullrich Jahn and Dr. Sean Coughlin at the following address: ullrich.jahn@uochb.cas.cz by 27 January 2023.

Selected candidates will be contacted by 6 February 2023 to arrange an interview. Please note that if you are not contacted, we have given preference to candidates who more closely meet the criteria. Thank you for your understanding.