PhD in Chemistry with focus on physical chemistry and organic synthesis - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in the chemistry field. The department has more than 250 employees and has a turnover of 250 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 programs and master's programs. More information is available on our website. (https://kemi.uu.se/angstrom/?languageId=1).

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Duties
The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The student is expected to investigate the possibility of using singlet fission for photocatalytic reactions. The project will include organic synthesis of molecules capable of singlet fission attached to electron acceptors.  These molecules will be studied by laser spectroscopy techniques, primarily time-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption on timescales ranging from femtosecond to millisecond. The student is expected to learn and develop their skills in both organic synthesis and laser spectroscopy. The student while hence obtain a broad expertise relevant for answering fundamental questions in materials and chemical science. The student should design, plan, perform the experimental work, as well as critically analyze and discuss the results, initially with close guidance with the supervisor. As the student develops they are expected to become more independent in taking the initiative and planning the research. The student is also expected to present their results at scientific conferences as well as in scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Description of the subject/research area: When a molecules or material absorbs a photon an excited state is formed. These excited states have many uses, they can for example be used in solar cells of photochemical reactions. However, in most cases, one absorbed photon only leads to one excited state. Singlet fission is a photochemical process that from an initially formed singlet excited state, generates two triplet excited states. Hence, if the initially formed singlet state is generated by absorption of a photon, singlet fission effectively splits the photon energy to two excited states. Singlet fission has therefore gained a lot of interest as a way to increase the efficiency of solar cells, as two excited states are formed from one photon the generated current could be doubled. Also in photocatalytic reactions there can be an advantage of using more than one excited state to drive reactions. So far this application of singlet fission has not been explored. The PhD project is hence centered around exploring singlet fission for this new application.

Requirements

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or has acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
• very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• add additional requirements for employment such as skills, other specific experience or knowledge.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Additional qualifications
Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Victor Gray, victor.gray@kemi.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 16 May 2022, UFV-PA 2022/1351.

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