Illustrative research directions

These approaches are illustrative rather than exhaustive and may be combined with complementary analytical, photophysical, and computational techniques. Fellows will be encouraged to propose original research directions, explore emerging scientific challenges, and establish new interdisciplinary collaborations during the programme.

MATERIALIZE fellows will develop individual research projects in organic synthesis and synthetic methodology, including research on complex aromatic and π-conjugated molecular systems. The programme remains open to a broad range of scientific questions, methodologies, and molecular architectures.

Depending on the objectives of each project, newly developed synthetic strategies and compounds may contribute to research in areas such as:

Circularly polarised luminescent materials

The development of new synthetic approaches to chiral organic molecules and materials exhibiting circularly polarised luminescence (CPL), with potential relevance to advanced displays, organic light-emitting technologies, photonics, and optical information processing.

NIR-II fluorophores

The design and synthesis of fluorophores operating in the second near-infrared biological window (NIR-II), including molecular systems that may support live-cell, deep-tissue, and high-resolution imaging in complex biological environments.

Molecular sensing

The development of new molecular architectures and synthetic strategies for the sensitive and selective detection of chemical or biological targets, with potential applications in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and related fields.To support research in these and other areas, MATERIALIZE will promote the development of efficient and versatile synthetic methodologies. Depending on the objectives of each project, fellows may explore approaches including:

photoredox catalysis;
radical transformations;
electrochemical synthesis;
mechanochemistry;
catalysis based on earth-abundant metals;
andother emerging methods relevant to the proposed research.

How individual projects fit the programme

Each fellow will pursue an original, individual research project aligned with the broad scientific objectives of MATERIALIZE and the expertise of a participating IOC PAS host group. Projects may address fundamental or interdisciplinary questions in organic synthesis and synthetic methodology, including, where relevant, the development and investigation of advanced aromatic, π-conjugated, or functional molecular systems.

Depending on the scientific objectives of the project, fellows may draw on selected approaches from one or more of the programme’s methodological pillars. They will not be expected to apply every method or research approach described on this page.

Where appropriate, experimental and computational research may be integrated into an iterative process in which theoretical predictions support molecular and reaction design, experimental findings contribute to the refinement of computational models, and both inform the development of new synthetic methods, molecular architectures, and functional systems.

Through cooperation with their scientific supervisors, researchers from other IOC PAS groups, and international academic and industry partners, fellows will have access to complementary expertise, specialised methods, research infrastructure, and scientific environments. This flexibility will allow them to expand the scope of their projects, explore new research directions, and establish collaborations tailored to their individual scientific goals.

Scientific Focus

New synthetic routes to functional organic materials for light-driven technologies

The overarching scientific objective of MATERIALIZE is to advance organic synthesis and synthetic methodology by developing new reactions, strategies, and pathways for the efficient construction of complex molecular architectures.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the synthesis of extended aromatic and π-conjugated systems with tailored structural, electronic, and photophysical properties. Such compounds have significant potential in areas including optoelectronics, OLEDs, NIR-II bioimaging, and molecular sensing. Their development, however, is often limited by the availability, efficiency, and selectivity of existing synthetic methods.

MATERIALIZE will address these challenges by combining innovative synthetic methodology with advanced structural and photophysical characterisation and quantum-chemical modelling. This integrated approach will enable researchers not only to discover new ways of constructing complex organic molecules, but also to investigate how their molecular structure influences excited-state behaviour and functional properties, potentially opening new directions for fundamental research and future applications.

Join the next generation of research leaders

Develop your own research project within an internationally recognised scientific environment and build the scientific, leadership, and professional skills required for the next stage of your career. A central objective of MATERIALIZE is to foster scientific independence and excellence by providing fellows with the conditions, infrastructure, mentoring, and training needed to pursue ambitious research, while creating a bridge towards an independent career, successful applications for their own research funding, and future leadership roles in academia, industry, or other research-driven sectors.

From fundamental research to future applications

MATERIALIZE connects fundamental advances in organic synthesis and synthetic methodology with the development of new molecular architectures and selected areas of materials chemistry. By expanding the range of accessible structures, reactions, and synthetic strategies, the programme will generate new knowledge and tools for addressing both fundamental scientific questions and interdisciplinary research challenges.

These advances may, in the longer term, contribute to the development of functional organic systems for applications such as organic light-emitting technologies, circularly polarised luminescence, NIR-II bioimaging, molecular sensing, and other emerging light-responsive technologies. The programme will therefore create new opportunities for translating discoveries in synthesis and molecular design into materials tailored to specific scientific and technological needs.

Contact

Institute of Organic Chemistry

Polish Academy of Sciences

Kasprzaka 44/52
01-224 Warsaw, Poland

www.icho.edu.pl/en

The images on this website are for illustrative purposes only and were generated using artificial intelligence.