The project focuses on the development of new photosensitizers and catalysts, based on purely organic materials or more abundant metals, for the photoreduction of CO2 to CO. This research, conducted in collaboration with other groups, aims to investigate the catalytic cycle of these new photosensitizers and catalysts, providing insights into the structure-function relationships of these molecular architectures. The ultimate goal is to design more efficient photocatalysts through a rational approach. Key techniques involved in the project include electrochemistry and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy to identify key intermediate species formed during the catalytic cycle. The performance of new catalysts will be evaluated under photocatalytic conditions, focusing on turnover frequency (TOF), turnover number (TON), and selectivity. The CO produced through photoreduction can be utilized in various carbonylation reactions facilitated by catalysis or photocatalysis.

We offer an 18-months postdoctoral position to work on the photophysical mechanism of molecular motors (or more generally photoswitches). You will be responsible and/or participate to the following tasks: • Study of the ground state structure and dynamics at molecular and assembled levels • Characterization of excited-state dynamics at molecular and assembled level • Participation in the supervision of PhDs, engineers, and trainees - restoring the results, communication at international conferences, participation in writing of manuscripts.

Keywords: ultrafast spectroscopy • self-assembling • photoswitches • molecular machines