WISE Postdoc in photoactive materials for water pollutants degradation - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

WISE Postdoctoral position in photoactive materials for degradation of persistent pollutants in water

Would you like to be a part of the WISE – Wallenberg Initiative Material Science for Sustainability ? Are you interested in working on the development of materials for the photodegradation of organic contaminants in water with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? If so, we welcome you to apply for a Postdoctoral position with a focus on photoactive materials for degradation of persistent pollutants in water at Uppsala University.

The Department of Earth Sciences, in particular the research program in Air, Water and Landscape Science (LUVAL), has a long tradition of research on contaminant transport, transport phenomena and remediation studies related to soil, groundwater and sediments, including close collaboration with partners in industry and society. Our activities are interdisciplinary and combine natural science and technology with social science. For more information:   The Department of Earth Sciences  

This postdoctoral position is part of a newly started research project in the frame of the recruitment package of WISE Fellow & Assistant Professor Tetyana Budnyak. The project involves close collaboration between LUVAL and the Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials (NFM) at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Uppsala University . The linkage to cross-cutting environments and programs provides a unique opportunity for access to knowledge and infrastructure of both departments, and opens possibilities to broadly collaborate with other research groups in Materials Sciences and Engineering, Earth Sciences and within the WISE initiative through active participation in workshops and conferences organized by WISE and as a member of the WISE Graduate School.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory has a strong scientific base built around designing, synthesizing and characterizing advanced materials for environmental and Clean Tech applications. The Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and hosts research on development and investigation on correlations between the structure, properties and performance of nanostructured functional materials. More information: The Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Wallenberg Initiative Material Science for Sustainability  (WISE) is a new research program of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden. WISE aims to create conditions for a sustainable society by researching the next generation of eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes, including the facilitation of better technologies for future materials to combat pollution and toxic emissions. Read more about WISE here.

Project description

This project is dedicated to the development of nanostructured photoactive materials that can  degrade emerging persistent contaminants in water and sediments. Our research will examine the efficacy of various organic and inorganic photocatalysts, as well as their combinations, to create materials that can efficiently initiate the degradation of pollutants when exposed to light. The synthesized photocatalysts will be the subject of immobilization on biopolymeric support, such as hydrogels, membranes, or foams. The scope of this project includes not only the synthesis and detailed characterization of materials but also the evaluation of their effectiveness in the degradation of persistent pollutants. The focus will be on contaminants that are notoriously difficult to remove using other water treatment methods, such as pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and chlorinated organic compounds. The scope of this project includes not only the synthesis and detailed characterization of materials but also the evaluation of their effectiveness in the degradation of persistent pollutants.

Duties

The work duties include synthesis and characterization (eg, X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy) of photocatalysts and photoactive hybrid materials; testing of materials for photodegradation of organic molecules such as PFASs, chlorinated organic contaminants, pharmaceuticals, etc.

In addition to research, some participation in the supervision of doctoral students, master"s students and project students, as well as communication of research results through scientific articles in well-established scientific journals and presentations at international conferences, are also included as important aspects of the employment. Some participation in teaching may also be included. You are also expected to contribute to applications for external research funds.

The work tasks include:

• synthesis of photocatalysts and photoactive hybrid materials;
• establishing a correlation between the structural and functional characteristics of the designed materials and their synthetic condition;
• studying the photocatalytic activity of developed functional materials towards organic pollutants in water.

Requirements
PhD degree in Chemistry or Materials science, or a closely related disciplin or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in the above mentioned field. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

We require very good oral and written skills in English.

Additional qualifications

Documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas is advantageous:

• synthesis of photocatalysts
• photocatalytic degradation of organic molecules
• polymers modification, surface modification and hybrid materials synthesis
• material characterization techniques: FTIR, XPS, XRD, SEM etc
• chromatography techniques
• solid phase extraction of organic and/or inorganic species 
• science visualization skills (OriginLab, 3D rendering, etc)

We attach great importance to your personal qualities and you must be self-motivated and proactive and have the ability to independently plan and run projects. You must also be pedagogical, structured and able to work effectively both individually and in groups, as well as be able to collaborate and communicate with people in different subjects easily.

Documented knowledge and experience of visible-light-driven photocatalysts and their application to the degradation of organic molecules are considered very advantageous for the position. Good oral and written communication skills are very valuable, including good ability to write scientific and academic text.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 01-09-2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Asst. Prof. Tetyana Budnyak, Tetyana.budnyak@geo.uu.se or Prof. Fritjof Fagerlund, fritjof.fagerlund@geo.uu.se or Prof. Ian Snowball, ian.snowball@geo.uu.se

Please submit your application by 24th of May 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1545.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.