PhD: Autonomous Discovery&Steering of Chemical Reactions, Nijmegen

PhD Position: Autonomous Discovery and Control of Chemical Reaction Systems

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PhD Position: Autonomous Discovery and Control of Chemical Reaction Systems

Employment 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary€ 3,059 - € 3,881

Required background Research University Degree

Organizational unit Faculty of Science

Application deadline 11 June 2026

Apply now

Be part of the Robinson Group as you explore how complex reaction networks emerge from simple molecules and help develop autonomous platforms that discover and steer chemical reactivity.

This PhD position offers you the opportunity to work at the interface of systems chemistry, analytical science and machine‑learning‑guided experimentation. You will contribute to a research initiative aimed at mapping, understanding and controlling the behaviour in multicomponent chemical systems contributing both to advancing new synthetic processes and understanding prebiotic chemical complexity.

Your primary goal is to map the reactivity landscape of a diverse set of molecular building blocks. You will perform high‑throughput mixture experiments and characterise complex reaction outcomes using analytical methods such as NMR spectroscopy, LC‑MS, chromatography and automated data processing. These experiments will generate foundational datasets describing how molecular diversity and functional group varietyshape emergent reactivity.

You will then design and construct minimal multicomponent reaction systems to study behaviours such as kinetic competition, autocatalytic or selective amplification processes and other emergent network‑level behaviours. You will investigate how these features arise from interacting subsystems and how they can be modulated or combined.

A central part of the PhD involves developing closed‑loop, machine‑learning‑guided workflows. In collaboration with computational partners, you will implement algorithms that design new experiments, optimise product distributions and autonomously steer chemical systems towards predetermined objectives. Teaching duties (approx. 10% of your working time) may include assisting in chemistry laboratory courses or supervising undergraduate research projects.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate.

At Radboud University, I can fully focus on expanding my expertise while learning from my peers and mentors.

Noemí Segura-Solé

PhD candidate in Microbial Ecology

Noemí Segura-Solé is a PhD candidate in Microbial Ecology.

“After completing my Master’s degree in Norway, I looked at several European universities for a PhD position, including the university where I studied. Then I saw a job opportunity at Radboud University, which aligned perfectly with my interests. After a great first impression of my supervisorsduring the job interview and positive feedback about Radboud University from my network, I decided to take the leap and move to Nijmegen. It was a risk to leave my Norwegian comfort zone, but I am extremely satisfied with my choice.

From the start, I immediately felt welcomed by the whole department. I have many social interactions with other PhD candidates, and the senior researchers are very approachable and interested in my research. The working conditions for PhD candidates here are also excellent: a good salary, plenty of days off, and flexible working hours. The latter is an added bonus because I already had two children when I started my PhD. Thanks to these factors, I can fully focus on expanding my expertise while learning from my peers and mentors.”

Does this sound like you?

You hold a Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, molecular sciences or a closely related field. You have strong laboratory experience and are motivated to work with complex chemical mixtures and multicomponent reaction systems. You are familiar with, or willing to learn, analytical techniques suchas NMR, LC‑MS, and chromatographic methods.You are enthusiastic about systems chemistry, emergent behaviour or origins‑of‑life‑related chemistry. You are interested in automation, high‑throughput experimentation or machine‑learning‑guided optimisation. You enjoy analysing complex data and connecting molecular transformations to system‑level behaviour.You are creative, self‑motivated and able to work both independently and in an interdisciplinary team. You have a good command of written and spoken English.

What we offer you

We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract). You will receive a starting salary of€3,059 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,881 in the fourth year (salary scale P).You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

You will join the Robinson Group (Department of Physical Organic Chemistry) at the Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM) at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). The Robinson Group specialises in systems chemistry, data science and autonomous experimentation, combining expertise in experimental reaction exploration, analytical methodologies, and data driven exploration and optimisation. The position is funded by the Big Chemistry National Growth Fund, a consortium consisting of research groups from Radboud University, Eindhoven University of Technology, the University of Groningen, AMOLF and Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven. We work closely with other researchers in the Big Chemistry Consortium and the Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, a team of chemists, computer scientists and engineers working on everything from the origins of Life to developing self-driving laboratories.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account (link is external) and read stories from our colleagues.

Is this the job for you?

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Dr. William E. Robinson. In your cover letter, please describe your motivation for applying, your relevant research experience (particularly in systems chemistry, analytical chemistry, or data‑rich experimentation), and which aspects of the project most excite you. We also invite you to highlight examples of working with complex data or multicomponent systems, your interest in developing skills in automation or machine learning, and how this PhD aligns with your long‑term scientificgoals. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on Tuesday 23 June. A second interview will take place on Friday 3 July. You will preferably start your employment on 1 September 2026.

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