Are you passionate about cutting-edge fundamental research on molecular and 2D materials heterostructures? Are you looking to pursue your PhD in an excellent, interdisciplinary research environment at a leading German university? If so, we invite you to apply!

The newly established Collaborative Research Center CRC 1772 "mol2Dmat" investigates novel collective states and quantum phenomena in heterostructures of molecules and two-dimensional materials. Our interdisciplinary consortium brings together 20 research groups from Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and the Max Planck Institute in Hamburg. Our work combines physics, chemistry, and materials science – pushing the frontiers of quantum materials research.

The overarching goal of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1772 is to explore and harness previously inaccessible collective phenomena and ground states in heterostructures of molecules and two-dimensional materials. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are atomically thin crystals that may be stacked into heterostructures with new and totally unexpected properties. CRC 1772 takes this to the next level by creating and studying heterostructures of organic and inorganic molecules encapsulated inside 2D materials.

As a PhD student, you will become part of an excellent scientific network and benefit from our structured, interdisciplinary graduate program, which includes tailored training, workshops, retreats, and conference travel. You will have access to cutting-edge laboratories and theoretical methods, individual supervision, and a wide range of development opportunities. We are committed to family and academic life being compatible and promoting diversity and equal opportunity through a variety of support measures.

We offer 3 PhD positions at the Department of Chemistry at Freie Universität Berlin starting October 1, 2025, in one of the following projects:

Contribute to research in one of the following projects. Please, indicate your interest in one (or two) research projects as part of your application:

C01 – Synthesis of organic dyes and redox systems for controlled assembly in mol2Dmat
heterostructures (Prof. Eigler, 2 positions)

• Synthesis of molecular dyes and redox systems, based on the interplay of aromaticiy and antiaromaticity.
• Functionalization of graphene by functional dyes and redox systems and assembly of heterostructures using functional 2D materials.
• Organic synthesis and typical characterization methods, as NMR, FTIR, MS, EA, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Methods for 2D materials processing and characterization, as stamping techniques, lithography, Raman, XPS, TGA, ssNMR, Tof-SIMS, EA, FTIR.

C02 – Precision covalent chemistry for tailored mol2Dmat heterostructures (Dr. Chen)

• Screening and synthesis of radical photoinitiators capable of adding to the surface of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) via region-selective photochemical reactions.
• Covalent assembly of molecule–TMD heterostructures through unsymmetrical functionalization of TMD mono- or bilayers.
• Methods for organic synthesis, purification, and characterization: handling air- and moisture sensitive reactions; Schlenk-line techniques; chromatography; NMR, MS, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopies; and elemental analysis.
• Methods for nanofabrication: mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and lithography techniques.
• Methods for material characterization: Raman, PL, XPS, ToF-SIMS, AFM, KPFM, and SEM.

• Completed university degree (M.Sc. or diploma degree) in Chemistry or a closely related field.

(Professional) Experience

• Experimental or theoretical expertise in research on molecular or solid-state chemistry or molecular physics

Desirable:

• Excellent Master degree with courses in synthetic or closely related fields.
• Research expertise of several months (e.g., during a Master thesis). Ideally, the experimental or theoretical methods in your command align with the research direction of the project you are interested in.
• Excellent command of written and oral English (B2).
• Experience in the presentation of scientific results in written and oral forms, e.g., during seminar presentation and as a written manuscript.
• Dedication towards scientific work, high motivation for pursuing a PhD thesis.

We are interested in a diverse research community and particularly encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply.

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents (Your application should include a cover letter, your CV, a copy/scan of your degree and course transcripts. Please, name one (or at most two) projects you are particularly interested in and explain why your academic and research expertise prepared you for this research direction.) indicating the **reference code, no later than September 8th , 2025 in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Mr. Prof. Dr. Siegfried Eigler: melanie.wellmann@fu-berlin.de or postal to

Freie Universität Berlin

Herrn Prof. Dr. Siegfried Eigler
Altensteinstr. 23 a

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