PRR Project

Summary

The urgency to address climate change and reduce CO2 emissions cannot be overstated. The adverse effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss, pose significant threats to ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide. Achieving a carbon-neutral chemical industry is essential for climate change mitigation. Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), through solar-powered photocatalysis, offers a sustainable method to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals and fuels, and is a mandatory and priority avenue to achieve carbon neutrality. Unfortunately, current status is that despite its promise, the efficiency of CCU is hindered by high energy demands. Renewable energy, particularly solar, is key to maximizing the eco-efficiency of CCU due to its abundance and sustainability. First-row transition metal ions are emerging as efficient catalysts for CO2 reduction, thanks to their electronic and optical properties. Enhancing catalyst performance and selectivity through the manipulation of magnetic properties in these metal ions and coordination complexes presents a promising strategy for advancing photocatalytic CO2 conversion.The hiring and host institutions, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (FCUL)/Departamento de Química e Bioquímica (DQB) and Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE)/FCUL, have strategic plans dedicated to the advancement of research in catalysis and sustainability. Their goal is to address the societal challenges related to climate action, with a particular focus on carbon dioxide capture and conversion (utilization), aligning its research focus with the EU´s policy.The scientific profile for the job position hereby described is available for a dynamic researcher specialized in Coordination Chemistry and Catalysis to lead the advancements in CO2 photoreduction and photocatalytic CO2 conversion, taking advantage of the magnetic and luminescent properties of coordination compounds. This position calls for an innovative researcher skilled in synthesizing coordination compounds and employing magnetic fields to develop the next-generation catalysts for photocatalytic processes.  This scientific job profile will consolidate the field of Catalysis for Carbon Utilization at CQE/DQB-FCUL, with a focus on CO2 photoreduction and photocatalytic CO2 conversion to products with added economic value. This cutting-edge research will be key to achieving the priority goals of MOLCat and GREENChem strategic thematic lines of CQE.The job position´s research strategy is focused on achieving the following objectives:i) Synthesizing new generations of catalysts: The discovery of new classes of catalysts with impactful properties is of utmost need to improve the conversion of carbon dioxide and tackle the climate emergency;ii) Controlling catalytic reactions using magnetic fields: The use of magnetic molecules and magnetic fields can influence the electron transfer dynamics in the photocatalytic process by controlling the orientation and spin state of the molecules. Magnetic fields can also affect the charge separation with impacts in improved efficiency. By applying magnetic fields tuning of the redox potentials can be accomplished with effects on the control of the spin state of the molecules, leading to improved electron transfer;iii) Contributing to more efficient, sustainable, and economic photoreduction processes. This allows strategic collaboration with major industrial partners, particularly those that are the highest CO2 emitters (e.g. cement, steel)The researcher is expected to participate and integrate the mission and activities of the hiring and host Institutions FCUL/DQB and CQE/FCUL, respectively: (i) Teaching duties - Inorganic chemistry and related subjects; Supramolecular chemistry; Molecular magnetism and luminescence; (ii) Advanced training responsibilities - Master’s and PhD students’ supervision; Participation in jury committees; (iii) Attracting funds; (iv) Collaborate in governance - Contribute to scientific and strategic planning; (v) Infrastructure management duties; (vi) Outreach and dissemination activities | impact on society: Organizing and attending public events, managing social media, and communicating with the public.The candidate should possess exceptional inter- and multidisciplinary research leadership, with a strong publication record (at least 14 articles in the last 5 years, being the corresponding author in at least half the publications; h-index > 14). Experience in supervising MSc and PhD students and mentoring postdoctoral and junior researchers. Strong commitment to the scientific community in the decision-making processes in the related areas (e.g. international project evaluator and academic jury committees), and management experience (e.g. PI in projects). A proactive approach to securing (inter)national funding and establishing collaborations with relevant national and international partners.