Associate Professor in Condensed matter physics of energy materials with specialization in X-ray based spectroscopy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is the second largest department at Uppsala University with more than 360 employees and 10 different divisions including the Division of X-ray Photon Science. The Division of X-ray Photon Science includes the program Condensed Matter Physics of Energy Materials and conducts research to develop understanding of electronic properties at the atomic level in new functional materials for applications in energy and environmental science.

Description of subject area of the employment: Research on condensed matter within the department is both experimental and theoretical, encompassing research on functional materials, energy materials, magnetism and low- dimensional materials. Modern condensed matter physics with applications in renewable energy materials and related technologies, is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary with links to chemistry and engineering. The use of X-ray based spectroscopic methods, specifically using synchrotron radiation, is increasingly important in these areas.

We seek a candidate with expertise within the field of experimental condensed matter physics of renewable energy materials with specialization in X-ray based spectroscopic methods, complementing our existing expertise within the area. Furthermore, the successful candidate should be experienced in combining X-ray-based spectroscopy research and methodology development with other experimental techniques and/or material design, examples include electrochemistry as well as thin films deposition. Of specific importance is fundamental and/or applied research on photovoltaics, Li-ion batteries, energy efficient electronics and/or efficient electric transmission where the latter includes superconductivity.

The holder of the announced position is expected to develop in-house activities, with time-resolved spectroscopy and/or hard X-ray based spectroscopy, as well as spectroscopic activities at synchrotron facilities, specifically MAX IV and within the Uppsala Berlin joint Laboratory at BESSY II. The applicant’s activity is expected to bridge fundamental and applied research. The applicant is also expected to be active in seeking external funding and should have a demonstrated record of obtaining funding.

Duties:

• Teaching, research and administration. Teaching duties include course responsibility and course administration and supervision of second- and third-cycle students. Specifically, teaching in the new master programs at the faculty in the areas of quantum materials and quantum technology and/or renewable energy materials and technology.

• Follow developments within the subject area and the development of society in general that is important for the work at the university.

• The position may include a leadership and administrative role within the research program regarding hard X-ray-based spectroscopy, as well as the development of opportunities with spectroscopy at MAX IV and Uppsala Berlin joint Laboratory at BESSY within the area of condensed matter physics of energy materials.

Qualifications Required:

• PhD in physics or have the corresponding research competence.
• Research Expertise and Teaching Expertise. It is necessary that the pedagogical skills, the research expertise and the professional skills are relevant to the content of the employment and the tasks that will be included in the employment.
• Applicants must have completed teacher training of relevance to operations at the University, comprising ten weeks, or have acquired the equivalent knowledge. If special circumstances apply, this training for teachers in higher education may be completed during the first two years of employment.
• Documented ability to teach in Swedish or English is a requirement unless special reasons prevail. The holder is expected to be able to teach in Swedish within two years.
• Personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment.

Assessment Criteria/Ranking of applicants that fulfil the above-mentioned qualifications required

The ranking of eligible applicants will be based primarily on research and teaching expertise, which will be given equal weight.

Research Expertise comprises research merits. In addition to academic merits, research merits from other activities may also be taken into account including research merits obtained outside the academy, which includes for example technology development and innovation ability. In assessing research expertise research quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of research, primarily in regard to depth and breadth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing research expertise special weight will be attached to research merits in the subject area.

Documented expertise within the field of experimental condensed matter physics of energy materials with specialization in X-ray based spectroscopy, complementing our existing expertise within the area is required. Of specific importance is fundamental and/or applied research complementing our activities in photovoltaics, Li-ion batteries, energy efficient electronics and/or efficient electric transmission where the latter includes superconductivity

Experimental experience of one, preferably more, of the following X-ray-based spectroscopic methods are required: time-resolved spectroscopy, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, resonant inelastic X-ray scattering, and ambient pressure photoelectron spectroscopy. Expertise that will help to develop in-house activities, with time-resolved spectroscopy and/or hard X-ray based spectroscopy, as well as spectroscopic activities at synchrotron facilities, specifically MAX IV and within the Uppsala Berlin joint Laboratory at BESSY II is of specific importance.

Documented experience in combining X-ray-based spectroscopy research and methodology development with other experimental techniques and/or material design, for relevant renewable energy materials is requested. Of specific importance are merits in combinations that allow for fundamental and/or applied materials research for photovoltaics, Li-ion batteries, energy efficient electronics or efficient electric transmission where the latter include superconductivity.

Experience in combining fundamental research with applied research is a merit. Documented ability to attract external funding in peer-reviewed competition is a merit. Documented experience of development of experimental methodologies, instrumentation or other facilities for x-ray based research on renewable energy materials is considered a merit.

Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead, and develop research and education in the third cycle, the ability to acquire funding for research in competition, as well as the demonstrated capacity to interact with others both within academia and in the wider community.

Teaching Expertise comprises educational and teaching qualifications. This expertise can have been achieved outside the academy through supervision, internal training, mentoring programs, etc. In assessing teaching expertise, teaching quality must be the prime consideration. The scope of teaching experience, in terms of both breadth and depth, must also be afforded consideration. In assessing teaching expertise special weight will be attached to merits in supervision/teaching in the areas of quantum materials and technology or renewable energy materials and technology.

Furthermore, consideration must be given to the capacity to plan, initiate, lead, and develop teaching and instruction, as well as the ability to connect research to teaching in respect to research in the subject at hand, subject didactics, as well as teaching and learning in higher education. The ability to interact concerning issues of teaching and learning in higher education with actors inside and outside the University is also included in teaching expertise.

Administrative Expertise is important for the employment and will be given consideration. Administrative expertise is demonstrated, for example, through the capacity to plan, organise, and prioritise work in an efficient and task-related manner as well as through the ability to assign and observe time frames. Expertise includes overall operational planning and the capacity to manage resources in a way that reflects operational priorities as well as the ability to work in a structured manner based on an awareness of goals and quality. Administrative expertise can also include entrepreneurship.

Management Expertise is important and will be afforded consideration. Management expertise is demonstrated through the capacity to lead operations and personnel, make decisions, take responsibility, and motivate others, providing them with what is needed for the efficient achievement of common goals. The abilities to coordinate the group and help create a sense of involvement, participation, and enjoyment in work constitute further examples of demonstrated expertise.

Collaboration Expertise is important and will be afforded high consideration. Such expertise is demonstrated through capacity to establish and lead collaborations at the national and international levels. It includes academic as well as industrial collaborations.

All merits must be documented in a manner that makes it possible to assess both quality and scope.

In filling this position the university aims to appoint the applicant who, following a qualitative holistic assessment of her/his competence and expertise, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the relevant duties and to help advance operations.

Further information: In an overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications, parental leave, part-time work relating to care of children, union assignments, military service, or the like are to be regarded as work experience.

University appointment regulations

Faculty appointment regulations

Instructions for application

Salary: Individually negotiated salary.

Starting date: As soon as possible or otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Permanent position.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Professor Håkan Rensmo, 0701679145, hakan.rensmo@physics.uu.se.

Please submit your application by September 15, 2021 at the latest, UFV-PA 2021/2020.

In the event of any disagreement between the English and the Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

If you are an international candidate, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus.