Uppsala University, Department of Chemistry - Ångström Laboratory

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in the chemistry field. The department has more than 230 employees and has a turnover of 220 million SEK. At the department's six programs, we conduct very successful research of a high international standard. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international cooperation and we see continued good growth in our subject area. The department has education assignments in engineering and civil engineering programs and master's programs. More information is available on our website.

Subject description/research project: The opening of the large scale synchrotron MAX IV facility in Lund, Sweden, allows for exciting new research in many fields of material science. This project focuses on energy materials studies at synchrotron facilities such as MAX IV. It include basic experimental science using x-ray based spectroscopy as well as introducing new user from industry to experimental research at this large scale facility. The postdoc will primarily be involved in reseach related to the swedish battery industry, especially lithium ion battery technologies and beyond. The postdoc will primarily focuse on utilisation of the HIPPPIE and SPECIES beamlines, working with development of operando ambient pressure photoelectron spectroscopy (APPES) to study the interfacial chemistry between the electrode and the electrolyte. This can involve studies of new cathode chemistries, new morphologies, new electrolytes etc. and how these behave under operaing conditions. Development of operanod APPES will include utilisation and comparison with other characterisation techniques, e.g. electrochemical methods, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UHV-based photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) surface, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), performed in house or at large scale synchrotron facilities, in Sweden or other parts of the world. 

Work Duties: The postdoc is expected to work with battery industry relevant reseach questions that can be studied using the spectroscopic methods availible primarily at the SPECIES and HIPPIE beam lines at MAX IV. Regular visits to beam times will therefore be part of the work. The postdoc must be able to independently design, plan and execute the experimental work, critically analyse and discuss the results, and present their work orally at scientific conferences and written in the form of papers in peer-reviewed journals. As the project involves close collaborations with industry the postdoc should be prepared to include industrial collaborators in their work. The postdoc will be involved development of operando methods for studying material degradation pathways using APPES. Finally the postdoc is expected to participate in all mandantory group activities, including becoming the responsible person for specific lab equipment.

Requirements: For employment as postdoc, the applicant must have a PhD degree or an international equivalent within the field of chemistry, physics or other for the position relevant fields, within a maximum of three (3) years before the final application date. During certain circumstances, an earlier PhD can be acceptable. Certain circumstances include leave due to illness, parental leave, in trade unions, etc.

The assessment of applications is based primarily on the applicant's ability to conduct independent research based on scientific skill. Greater importance is attached to the quality of individual scientific work, than to the amount of publications. The postdoc needs to be fluent in English, both written and oral. Extensive experimental research experiance is a requirement for the position.

Additional qualifications: Experimental experience from interfacial chemistry/physics e.g. in lithium ion batteries and/or solar cells are seen as merits. The postdoc needs to be highly motivated and have the ability to run projects with focus on experimental synchrotron based research at MAX IV, both independently and in collaboration with industrial and academic partners. Merits will be placed on experience from sample preparations, surface analysis using photoelectron spectroscopy and ambient pressure photoelectron spectroscopy. 

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: As soon as possible or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position for two years according to central collective agreement.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Maria Hahlin, Maria.Hahlin@physics.uu.se

Please submit your application by June 19 2020, UFV-PA 2020/1026.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 2020-06-01
Salary Fixed salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Uppsala
County Uppsala län
Country Sweden
Reference number UFV-PA 2020/1026
Union representative
  • Seko Universitetsklubben, seko@uadm.uu.se
  • ST/TCO, tco@fackorg.uu.se
  • Saco-rådet, saco@uadm.uu.se
Published 14.May.2020
Last application date 19.Jun.2020 11:59 PM CEST

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