We are building up the group - Enquire how to join us!
Who we are
We are a young research group based in Tallinn, Estonia. We focus our efforts on translational synthetic chemistry. We look into ways how to use organic chemistry to advance concepts and capabilities in Applied Science. There are too few independent research groups led by young scientists in Eastern Europe, albeit the EU. Yet, you have come across one of them!
What we do
Synthetic organic chemistry
Catalysis & sustainable chemistry
Supramolecular & heterobifunctional chemistry
Chemical approaches to study cellular processes
Extending the chemical toolbox in materials science
The focus of my research group is on translating advances in synthetic chemistry & materials to adjacent fields of catalysis, chemical biology and materials science by delivering alternative and/or significantly improved solutions. This is achieved by answering a simple question of how we can improve complex molecular processes, systems and architectures by altering them on a single molecule level.
The work we have embarked on, focusses on development of
in-cell screening platform for identifying bifunctional interactions using small molecule chemistry in combination with light microscopy within the context of a living cell;
extending the pool of organic linker design for crystalline and amorphous metal–organic coordination network-based porous materials for their applications in energy storage and conversion, and catalysis;
novel chemobiological tools to advance use of cell-permeable small molecules in chemical cell biology (novel target ID probes, fluorescent probes, chemical tools for expansion microscopy).
Our approach
Our group uses knowledge of organic chemistry to molecularly design 'networked molecules'. These are a subset of multifunctional small-molecular-weight compounds that address the notions of chemical as well as biological networks. In particular, we employ 'networked molecules' to
1. rationally build up well-organized molecular networks and successfully use them as electrocatalyst materials for various applications, incl. renewable energy and ‘ligandless’ catalysis;
2. disrupt and/or rewire biological networks with a goal of inducing new intracellular interactions and observing synergistic effects.
Such entities in their simplest form are heterobivalent constructs, however, we are looking to install additional moieties that would help extend their multifold performance. Our work is currently funded by the Estonian Research Council (PUT1290) and TalTech Young Investigator Grant (B62).
Why join us
You have the drive and a happy-go-lucky attitude and are fascinated by organic chemistry. In addition, you aim at acquiring a complimentary set of skills (e.g cell biology, biochemistry and/or materials science) to get a strong shot at securing a long-term job in industry/academia or start up a firm of your own.
Opportunities
Check our opportunities section. PhD studentships are available with an intended start in Fall 2019. You are also welcome to inquire how to secure a Post-Doc position.