Applications are invited for a 1+1-year Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position in organic synthesis, available from May 2026 (flexible), to work with Prof. Daniel Reta at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country (EHU), Donostia, Spain.

The successful candidate will contribute to the ERC Starting Grant RadicalProtON, a project aimed at developing new strategies for charge-to-spin conversion in organic molecules, with the broader goal of gaining fundamental mechanistic insight into radical reactivity and biological function.

Position Details:

  • Title: Synthesis of Conjugated Donor-Acceptor Molecules for Charge-to-Spin Conversion.

  • Duration: 1+1 years.

  • Start Date: Flexible, preferably May 2026.

  • Application deadline: April 13th

  • Gross Annual Salary: Approx. €42k

  • Location: Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country EHU, Donostia, Spain.

Project Overview:

Organic radicals offer unique magnetic and reactivity properties that can be harnessed in diverse ways, such as novel qubit implementations and valuable chemical transformations. However, due to the reactive nature of radicals and the non-trivial chemistry required for their preparation, strict structural and electronic limitations are imposed on the available systems, limiting their potential applications.

In our group, we approach this problem from a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates computational modelling, advanced spectroscopic techniques and organic synthesis. The overall aim of our research is to develop mechanisms that enable facile radical formation in simple reaction conditions, and applicable to a broad range of molecules, to fully harness the extraordinary properties of organic radicals.

Building on ongoing work and design principles developed within the group, the PDRA will take a leading role in the synthesis of targeted donor–acceptor systems and their transformation into open-shell species.

Key responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to:

  • Design conjugated donor–acceptor molecules that promote charge-to-spin conversion

  • Develop and optimise synthetic routes to radical-precursor targets

  • Perform multi-step organic synthesis and full structural characterisation

  • Modify molecular frameworks to establish structure–property relationships

  • Study the chemical reactivity of generated radicals.

  • Process and manage data in line with FAIR principles

  • Prepare figures, reports, and manuscript drafts for peer-reviewed journals

  • Present research progress at group meetings and conferences

  • Support and mentor junior group members in synthetic and characterisation tasks

Research Environment and Training:

You will join a young, dynamic, and highly motivated research group, working closely with group members specialising in quantum chemistry methods and EPR spectroscopy. This close integration enables rapid feedback, continuous exchange of ideas, and strong validation of experimental results, maximising the scientific impact of the work.

The group benefits from a newly refurbished laboratory, including a recently installed Bruker EMX‑Plus continuous-wave X-band EPR spectrometer. Computational work is supported through access to Hyperion, hosted at the Donostia International Physics Centre (DIPC), one of the largest HPC facilities in Spain.

  • You will receive mentoring in:Critical data analysis and interpretation

  • Scientific writing and peer-review publishing

  • Grant writing and project development

  • Oral communication and presentation skills

  • Project planning, time management, and leadership

Opportunities for networking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international secondments are actively encouraged.

Qualifications:

  • Required

    • PhD in Organic Chemistry.

    • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (C1 level or equivalent).

  • Preferred

    • Experience in the synthesis of molecules containing electron donor and acceptor groups.

    • Experience in boron chemistry.

    • Experience in protection and late stage deprotection of amines, amides or boron functionalities.

    • Experience working with superbases.

Benefits:

  • Access to state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities

  • Opportunities for international research secondments

  • A stimulating, collaborative research environment

  • Strong support for career development and academic independence

Selection process:

Shortlisted candidates will be notified of interview dates during the week commencing 13 April 2026. Interviews will be held online between 27–30 April 2026.

Candidates will be asked to give a 15-minute presentation (maximum 4 slides) covering:

  1. Their research trajectory

  2. One project to which they made a significant contribution

  3. How their expertise aligns with the RadicalProtON project and other research lines in the group

We are committed to equality and inclusion. Reasonable adjustments will be made to support candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity, caring responsibilities, or other needs.

How to apply:

Applications should be submitted as a single PDF by email to Prof. Daniel Reta

Email: daniel.reta@ehu.eus

Subject line: RadicalProtON – Synthetic PDRA Application

Deadline: 13 April 2026

The application should include:

  1. Curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages; no publication list)

  2. Narrative statement describing your three most important publications, outlining your contributions and broader impact (maximum 1.5 pages)

  3. Contact details for at least two academic referees