Doctoral (Phd) position in Solid State Physics, with focus on the synthesis and study of next-generation sustainable magnets

Admission to Doctoral (PhD) Studies in the subject Engineering Sciences with specialization in Solid State Physics

at the Division of Solid State Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University

Join us!

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and close contacts with students through the department's involvement in civil engineering, bachelor's and master's programs. Our research and teaching is conducted within seven divisions with different research focus. Read more about us here.

The Division of Solid State Physics is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ångström Laboratory. At the division, we do both basic and application-oriented research that is related to energy and environmental aspects as well as life science via our different research areas. Most commonly, we investigate the physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials and compounds whether it will be used as coatings for smart windows, gas sensors, photocatalytic coatings, optoelectronics, spintronics and biomagnetic applications or to create new magnetic materials for environmentally friendly energy technologies. More information on the Division of Solid State Physics is available here.

Project description
Permanent magnets are key elements in many of today’s technologies for energy conversion.

The most powerful permanent magnets are based on rare earth metals, which are classified as both rare and strategic, meaning both scarcity and high price. In this project, we develop sustainable magnets using new synthesis methods and establish their utility through detailed magnetic measurements. The synthesis includes nanocomposites and metal alloys free from, or with a very small content of, rare earth metals. One goal of the project is to experimentally realize new alloys and compounds that, from calculations, are predicted to have high performance as permanent magnets.

Sweden has some of Europe's largest ore deposits of rare earth metals with potential for mining. This project includes magnetically characterizing samples found in geological surveys to discern natural ore compositions that could be used for the synthesis of new rare earth magnets, thereby bypassing or reducing the number of steps for separation of the useful chemical elements.

The project is a collaboration between the Division of Solid State Physics at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Division of Inorganic Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry - Ångström, as well as the Department of Earth Sciences, all at Uppsala University.

Duties
The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in the research project and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

When you are admitted to doctoral studies, you are offered employment as a doctoral student. A position as a doctoral student at Uppsala University corresponds to full-time Phd education for four years.

Read more about being a Doctoral student here.

The tasks within the research project described above includes development of sustainable methods for materials processing in combination with advanced synthesis of rare-earth-free and rare-earth-lean material combinations for sustainable magnets.

The duties also include:

• to be involved in the structural characterization of the synthesized materials using state-of-the-art scattering methods (X-ray/neutron)
• perform detailed magnetic characterization of the samples using advanced experimental tools and state-of-the-art magnetometers.
• handling of advanced experimental equipment, both for synthesis and for characterization, and in some cases the development of experimental methods and data analysis adapted to the project.
• Dissemination of the acquired knowledge through scientific articles in international scientific journals is also included in the tasks.

Qualification requirements
Master's degree in Materials Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics or comparable subject area.

Experience in diffraction methods (X-ray/neutron).

We require good oral and written skills in English.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Additional qualifications
It is meritorious with

• Completed courses in solid state physics and quantum mechanics
• Practical experience in magnetic characterization and knowledge of synthesis and analysis methods
• Experience in physical metallurgy
• Knowledge of magnetism, experience with chemical synthesis techniques, structural characterization and magnetic property measurements
• Knowledge of programming in Python and experience using LaTeX
• Sample preparation with arc melting will be used in the project and experience with that method is therefore considered a merit.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have good communication skills, where through this quality you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write scientific and academic text.

We are looking for you who appreciate working in an international and interdisciplinary research environment where your experience and skills strengthen ongoing research at the institutions and contribute to its future development. We are looking for you who are interested in this interdisciplinary field of research, which includes materials science as well as chemistry and physics as well as sustainable development.

Instructions for application
Your application should include the following:
1) A brief personal letter where you briefly describe yourself, why you want to become a PhD student, and why you are suitable for the position
2) A CV/resume (max 2 pages)
3) Certified copies of your Master’s degree and course grades
4) Copies (or drafts thereof) of thesis work and other documents, such as publications, which you wish to invoke.
5) Names and contact details of at least two contact persons who have accepted to be references for you, with any additional letters of recommendation. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent.

The application should be written in English. We will continuously read applications and call for interviews.

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 soon as possible or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor Tapati Sarkar, tapati.sarkar@angstrom.uu.se, +46 18 471 3359 or Professor Martin Sahlberg, martin.sahlberg@kemi.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 27 of May 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1093

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