Pre-Doctoral Researcher; PhD Position under Framework MSCA Chiralnanomat Project: P

Organisation/Company Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Department Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo Metallici - sede di Pisa Research Field Chemistry » Computational chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 28 Feb 2026 - 18:00 (Europe/Rome) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 19 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number  Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

DC10 - Predictive Modelling and Rational Design of Asymmetric Catalysis by Chiral Nanoclusters

The CHIRALNANOMAT network will train a new generation of researchers in chiral nanocluster materials through an interdisciplinary programme spanning chemistry, physics, materials science, and computational modeling
. Eligibility criteria (as per EU DN rules): Applicants must not already hold a PhD / Applicants must not have resided or carried out main activity in Italy for more than 12 months in the past 3 years.
Salary is competitive and follows EU regulations.

INTENDED STARTING DATE:
June/July 2026.

DURATION: 36 months.

Both DC9 and DC10 will be supervised by Dr. Alessandro Fortunelli,  . DC9 will be co-supervised by Prof. Mauro Stener (University of Trieste, Italy), Prof. Giovanni Granucci (University of Pisa, Italy) and Prof. Joanna Olesiak‑Bańska(Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland), with industrial mentor Dr. Stan Van Gisbergen at SCM, Holland,  . DC10 will be co-supervised by Prof. Claudio Amovilli (University of Pisa) and Dr.

Stan Van Gisbergen(SCM, Holland)  , who will also serve as industrial mentor.

DC9
-Objectives:
Apply Machine Learning force fields and sampling methods to model bio‑functionalized Monolayer‑Protected Clusters (MPCs); predict interaction with biomolecules and oxygen‑singlet generation; validate with PWR (Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland) and CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research, France) experiments.

DC10
-Objectives:
Use DFT, stochastic sampling, and Machine Learning acceleration to model reaction mechanisms and enantioselectivity of chiral Monolayer‑Protected Cluster (MPC) catalysts; produce free‑energy diagrams; correlate simulations with TUW (Technical University Wien) catalytic tests.

This research will be carried out at the Institute of Chemistry of Organo Metallic Compounds (ICCOM) in Pisa ( http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ) of the Italian National Reserarch Council (CNR). The candidate will pursue the PhD degree in Chemistry and Materials Science from the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry of the University of Pisa.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in theoretical research, theoretical skills and attitude, and familiarity with developing theoretical models and/or simulations
• Master degree in relevant field (Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Computer Science)
• Candidates must NOT possess a previous PhD
• Very good written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in analytical and problem‑solving skills is a plus
• Prior experience in publishing academic papers and presenting at conferences is a plus
• Ability to collaborate within interdisciplinary teams is a plus

Researchers must not already hold a doctoral degree by the deadline of the open calls. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. Researchers who have successfully defended their MSc thesis or have definite dates for their defense but have not yet been formally awarded the MSc degree will be considered eligible, subject to obtaining the MSc degree within foreseen date which must be within May 2026.

Recruited researchers will be enrolled in a doctoral programme at the University of Pisa, leading to the award of a doctoral degree, after signing the contract. Chemists, Physicists and Material Scientists are preferred for this position although related degrees are also acceptable. The doctoral candidate should hold a Master’s degree…