Postdoctoral position in organic chemistry

We are seeking to hire an outstanding postdoctoral scientist to join the Laboratory
of Chemical Catalysis at the Institute of Science and Supramolecular Engineering (Institut de Science at d’Ingénierie Supramoleculaires), University of Strasbourg, France.

The successful candidate will work in prebiotic chemistry (chemical origin of life) as part of the ERC Consolidator project MetabolismOrigins. The expected start date is flexible but preferably before September 2023.

Background: To understand what life is and how it came to be, prebiotic chemistry needs to explain why life uses the molecules, reactions, catalysts, pathways and overall organization that it does. Our laboratory is investigating whether the chemistry that led to life could have begun as a primitive nonenzymatic version of the biochemistry we know today. Initially, the primitive reaction network would have been promoted by inorganic catalysts. Some of the organic products of the reaction network would provide positive feedback to the existing reaction network through catalysis, allowing it to become more robust, specific, and capable of new functions. This catalytic feedback process would naturally lead to a system displaying progressively higher structural and catalytic complexity, eventually producing higher order catalysts (catalysts that make catalysts), such as genes. Our laboratory is investigating this hypothesis at multiple levels by evaluating how inorganic catalysts, metabolites (especially coenzymes), and nonequilibrium microenvironments can promote nonenzymatic versions of metabolic pathways and processes.

Candidate profile:

• PhD in organic chemistry or a closely related field with extensive wet-lab experience
• Hands-on knowledge of NMR (ideally qNMR)/GC-MS/LC-MS/HPLC
• Knowledge of physical organic chemistry, mechanistic analysis, kinetics, or high-throughput screening techniques are assets
• Excellent communication skills (at least B2 in written/spoken English)
• Excellent work ethic, scientific curiosity and a drive to learn
• Ability to work independently or with minimum supervision

What we offer:

• Participation in an ambitious and exciting interdisciplinary project
• A supportive, international environment
• Access to brand-new lab facilities with cutting-edge equipment
• Salary of €2737/month gross (€2159/month net)
• A 12-month contract with possibility of renewal upon mutual agreement

Prospective candidates are invited to submit an application (CV + a maximum one-page personal statement outlining why you are a good fit for this position + contact information for 2 referees) to
Prof. Joseph Moran (moran@unistra.fr) before April 15, 2023 (12:00 UTC+1). Only complete applications will be considered.

Relevant publications:Nat. Commun.2023, 14, 570; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2022, e202212932; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2022, e202212237; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2022, e202117211; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143,19099; Chem. Rev.2020, 120, 7708; Nat. Ecol. Evol.2020, 4, 534; Nature 2019, 569, 104; Nat. Ecol. Evol. 2018, 2, 1019; Nat. Ecol. Evol. 2017, 1, 1716-.