Thesis topics in Chemistry

Application deadline: 31st July 2026

  1. Advanced Chemical Processes for the Removal of Pharmaceutical Contaminants: Electron Beam–Induced Degradation and Biochar-Assisted Treatment
    • Supervisor: Dr. hab. Yongxia Sun, Prof. IChTJ
    • Description: Emerging contaminants (ECs), such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are often recalcitrant and may escape conventional wastewater treatment processes, eventually entering aquatic environments. These contaminants pose risks to both human health and ecosystems, particularly when treated effluent is reused. Therefore, advanced polishing methods are required to ensure their effective removal.
      The reuse of treated effluent supports the transition toward a circular economy in the water sector by addressing water scarcity, reducing environmental pollution, and improving water resource management.
      In this PhD project, selected pharmaceutical compounds—such as amisulpride and candesartan (or its prodrug)—will be investigated in water and wastewater effluents. Electron beam (EB) irradiation will be applied to study the mechanisms and kinetics of their degradation in aqueous systems. The optimal conditions identified in model aqueous solutions will then be transferred to wastewater effluent. Additionally, biochar derived from sludge will be applied as a post-treatment step for further polishing, enabling potential non-potable water reuse.
      This research is part of the CIRC-WWTP project.
    • Eligibility: The candidate must be an employee of CGN and hold an M.Sc. degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, or Materials Science.
    • Funding: PhD fellowship at IChTJ (funded by CGN, China) / NCBR

Application deadline: 5th October 2025

  1. Chiral rhenium and rhodium complexes of anticancer activity
    • Supervisor: prof. dr hab. Jan Cz. Dobrowolski
    • Description: There is a need to systematically check potential anticancer (chiral), non-platinum (non-Pt) metal complexes towards cancer cells and harmful bacteria. The anticancer activity of some Rhenium (Re) and Rhodium (Rh) complexes has been documented. The  Rh complexes could act analogously to cisplatin but can exhibit lower toxicity. Antimicrobial activity of the new (chiral) Re/Rh complexes can be “highly significant” and thus contribute to finding a chemotherapeutic agent against bacteria with the specified antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
      The PhD thesis aims to evaluate anticancer effects of the new Rhenium and Rhodium compounds synthesized by the Laboratory for Spectroscopy, Molecular Modeling and Structure Determination of the Centre for Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry. In vitro studies will examine the new compounds’ anticancer effect mechanisms. The following technics are planned to be performed for Re/Rh complexes in the National Medicine Institute labs: evaluation of IC50 values on cell cultures (i.a., human cancer, leukemia, and non-cancerous cell lines); Western blotting method to identify specific proteins responsible for the mechanism of cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects of moieties on cells, microscopy; flow cytometry to establish proapoptotic effect of the complexes on the cell cycle progression; and other molecular and biochemical tests. The parallel studies determine antibacterial activity of the Re/Rh complexes: MICs/MBCs according to ISO 20776-1. For antimicrobial active Re/Rh complexes, MICs and MBCs for clinical strains with acquired antimicrobial resistance will be determined.
    • Funding: NCN

Application deadline: 14th December 2024

  1. Investigation of new materials for radioactive waste treatment and immobilization
    • Supervisor: dr hab. Agnieszka Miśkiewicz, prof. ICHTJ
    • Description: Proper management of radioactive waste generated in scientific research, in numerous applications of isotope techniques in industry and medicine, as well as in nuclear energy, is an important issue for the further development of nuclear techniques and nuclear power. Regardless of the source of their production, radioactive waste must be processed in such a way to ensure that their storage is safe for both humans and the natural environment.
      The PhD thesis aims to study the possibility of using new materials such as geopolymers or zeolites, based on raw materials and industrial wastes (fly ash, clay, etc.) for the treatment and immobilization of liquid and solid radioactive wastes. Among others, wastes containing organic species (e.g., liquid waste coming from the decontamination process, ashes from incineration process of organic RW) will be subjected to the treatment using these new materials. The research on the waste immobilization will focus on determining the impact of the waste composition on the consolidation process of the conditioning matrix, and its durability. A combination of new matrices with cement materials will be considered as well for immobilization of different types of radioactive wastes.
    • Funding: ICHTJ fellowship

Application deadline: 17th June 2024

  1. Degradation of sulfonamide antibiotics in aqueous solution under electron beam (EB) irradiation and EB coupled with conventional methods
    • Supervisor: Dr. hab. Yongxia Sun, prof. INCT
    • Description: We are seeking candidates for a PhD student position partially funded by III PL-CHN “TAPEB” project. The doctoral thesis will focus on the selected three sulfa antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, and sulfadiazine) degradation in aqueous solution under EB irradiation . EB coupled with conventional methods (Fenton, O3) will be applied to study degradation of sulfamethoxazole as a representative compound. Several important factors (such as dose and water matrix etc.) influencing on the degradation efficiency of antibiotics will be studied; degradation intermediates of sulfa antibiotics will be identified. Computer modeling simulation will be performed to elaborate mechanism of degradation of selected sulfonamide antibiotics in water under EB irradiation.
    • Funding: NCBR Grant /ICHTJ fellowship