Doctoral Student in Materials chemistry (MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Are you interested in working with material chemistry, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD student position at Uppsala University.

PRISMAS - PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden – is a new doctoral network training the next generation of 40 leading synchrotron experts and is co-funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND Programme.

As a PRISMAS PhD student, you will have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research in your field, taking advantage of state of the art tools that will lead to attractive future job opportunities in academia or industry. Moreover, you are part of designing the future of synchrotron technology and instrumentation and using these to tackle some of the most significant global challenges the world faces today while acquiring interdisciplinary and intersectoral knowledge. Being part of the PRISMAS programme gives you the one-of-a-kind experience in form of a secondment at the world´s first 4th generation synchrotron, MAX IV in Lund, Sweden. With a tailored training programme, including courses to build scientific and technical competence as well as strengthen transferrable skills, PRISMAS provides you with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to successfully achieve your doctoral degree.

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in the chemistry field. The department has more than 260 employees and has a turnover of 290 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.

PhD-student within the research program for inorganic chemistry. The research focuses on how material properties are affected by chemical composition and crystal structure. For example, we study how the chemical composition affect the magnetic properties. An important area is new alloys for additive manufacturing. The project will be carried out in the group of Professor Martin Sahlberg at the Department of Chemistry-Angstrom. The project is a collaboration between Uppsala University, Malmö University and MAX IV. Synthesis using high temperature methods such as additive manufacturing, electric arc furnace, induction furnace and possibly solid-gas methods will also be used. Characterization will primarily be conducted using diffraction methods like single crystal X-ray diffraction, Neutron diffraction and in situ measurements using synchrotron radiation.

What we offer

The Department of Chemistry – Ångström aims and continuously work to ensure a positive work environment and that all employees have the same possibilities to pursue a career within academia and the University.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

The MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS offers you outstanding opportunities as well as a stimulating and inspiring surrounding for performing cutting-edge research. By supporting your mobility, it creates perfect conditions for strengthening your international network.

Duties
The PhD-student will work in the border area between chemistry, physics and materials science; more specifically, with the additive manufacturing and characterizations of new rare earth metal free alloys for application as permanent magnets.

The main work duty is to perform research in the above described topic. This includes the development of additive manufacturing of alloys, and investigation of their structure-property relations. Powder bed fusion methods (PBF-LB/SLM) will be employed in the project. Characterisation with different synchrotron methods combined with e.g. APT, EBSD, Electron microscopy, mechanical testing, X-ray- and neutron diffraction and imaging, sample preparation by FIB.

The duties of the PhD-student will include the development of advanced characterisation methods in collaboration with other researchers (both nationally and internationally) and international experience from collaborative project is valued.

The work duties also include:

• Participation in international conferences
• Experiments at international research infrastructure
• Collaboration with industry and wider society
• Administration related to the work duties listed above
• Potential teaching, maximum up to 20%

The training implies a secondment of 3-12 months at MAX IV laboratory in Lund, Sweden. Additional secondments and/or short stays may be arranged in agreement with the supervisor of the research project. Moreover, you will attend international conferences, participate in periodical project meetings and training schools as well as in specialised courses at different universities to complement your knowledge. A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities.

Requirements
Applicants should be highly motivated and interested in research in chemistry and physics as well as research on additive manufacturing and magnetic materials. A suitable applicant has a master's degree in Materials Chemistry, Materials Science or similar. To be successful on the proposed project, the applicant should have good knowledge of physical metallurgy, diffraction methods (X-ray and/or neutron) as well as general knowledge of materials characterisation. Practical experience in additive manufacturing and knowledge of other techniques for synthesis and analysis, and experience of sample preparation with Focused Ion Beam (FIB) are needed. Documented proficiency in oral and written English is required. The applicant should want to work in an international and interdisciplinary research environment, and should have the social skills to work both in a team and independently.

Consideration will also be given to 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
It is beneficial but not mandatory to have:

• Knowledge in programming in Python
• Experience with LaTeX

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

To comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA COFUND programme, you are eligible if you have not resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the period 2020-10-30 to 2023-10-31 for work or studies as main occupation.

By the employment date (before 01/03/2024) you must have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, have been awarded a Master´s degree or have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

In addition to the criteria mentioned above, you must have fulfilled a second cycle education in a relevant field, such as Materials Chemistry, Materials Science or similar. If you don’t hold a Master’s degree but have completed 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are second-cycle courses, 15 credits of the second-cycle courses must be an independent project.

You are eligible for the PRISMAS programme if you qualify for a doctoral candidacy, i.e., are not already in possession of a doctoral degree.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date is for seen to start on 1/3/2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

How to apply:

Applications are to be submitted via the [enter the name of your application system and a link to the positions] and must include the following documents:

• CV in Europass format
• A two-page cover letter, justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications as well as the prioritization in case of applying to several PRISMAS positions.
• at least one reference letter
• an evidence of English 3 proficiency (minimum B2 level)
• Copy of academic records, including marks for all coursework with a transcript of diploma in English,
• and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)

All documents should be uploaded (pdf) in the job application portal. Exam certificates and other documents on paper should be scanned or photographed before being uploaded. In regard to incomplete applications (especially if lacking the abovementioned documents), the PRISMAS Management reserves the right to exclude them in the selection process, without any additional notification to the applicant.

The application will be evaluated based on scientific excellence, the adequacy of your career plan and your thesis project as well as your research experience.

Details on the novel, unique and common selection process for all the PRISMAS positions can be found here: How to apply – MAX IV (lu.se)

For further information about the position, please contact: Prof. Martin Sahlberg, martin.sahlberg@kemi.uu.se

If you have questions on the selection process, please contact: prismas@maxiv.lu.se

For questions on the employment conditions and the university, please contact: Martina Hasselgren, martina.hasselgren@kemi.uu.se

Please submit your application by 31st of October, 2023 UFV-PA 2023/3149.

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