Doctoral (PhD) student with focus on multimodal characterization of magnetic nanomaterials with X-ray and ferromagnetic resonance (MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS)

Admission to PhD education 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 with close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focus.

Read more about us here 

About the division
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 physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials and compounds whether they will be used as coatings for smart windows, for gas sensors, photocatalytic coatings, and spintronics, or for biomagnetic applications or to create new magnetic materials for environmentally friendly energy technologies.

Project description
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 MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS offers you outstanding opportunities and a stimulating and inspiring environment for you to carry out cutting-edge research. By supporting mobility, the project gives you optimal conditions for strengthening your international network.

In this project we exploit the enormous potential at the synchrotron MAX IV in Lund to study functional materials for energy, such as batteries, and environmental applications using porous materials such as metal-organic frameworks .

We study the connection between functional properties such as magnetism and adsorption in nanomaterials under the insertion of ions such as lithium or molecules such as PFAS with a number of probes at different length scales. We do this by studying the connection between changes in the crystal structure (WAXS), particle morphology (SAXS), chemical state (ferromagnetic resonance or x-ray absorption) and functional properties (electrochemistry or adsorption) using a multimodal approach when the ions are inserted/removed chemically or electrochemically. Within the project, we develop a specially formed sample environments that allow us measuring the dis/charging the battery and de/sorption of molecules as we measure all other probes simultaneously. The project is co-financed av Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND, Olle Enqvist Foundation and Uppsala University.

Work 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.

Being a PhD student means independently running projects within a specific subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies. However, you work independently to a great amount, e.g. by working in a laboratory environment and writing articles for journals and for results for your doctoral thesis. Usually some form of half-time seminar is included after about half of the doctoral studies.

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 specialized courses at different universities to complement your knowledge.  A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities.

You work in a team with participation from Uppsala, Lund and Duisburg-Essen that focuses on correlating the atomistic (diffraction) and mesoscopic (low-angle scattering) structure of relevant materials with their functional properties. The tasks include synthesis of high-quality nanomaterials, in-operando characterization of the materials with magnetometry/gas sorption, in-operando structure determination of the materials using X-ray and neutron scattering, and statistical data evaluation. A number of experiments are to be carried out in various research facilities, mainly in Lund but also in Europe or around the world, including both shorter or slightly longer stays at the facilities.

Qualifications requirements

You must have fulfilled a masters degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or an equivalent degree in a related field.

We require basic knowledge and skills in X-ray scattering.

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 2021-08-30 to 2024-08-31 for work or studies as main occupation.

You must have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from secondcycle courses, have been awarded a Master´s degree or have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad. For the one who have completed at least 240 higher education credits to be considered eligible at Uppsala University, the 60 credits from second-cycle courses an independent project of at least 15 credits should be included.

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.

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 advantageous to have documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: 

Knowledge and skills in programming with Python or data analysis with Jupyter notebooks, SAXS, magnetic materials, electrochemical testing of batteries, or gas sorption.

Great emphasis will be put 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 need to be determined, structured and able to work effectively. You also have a good ability to write academic text. 

The work involves some travelling mainly to Lund but also in Europe, so you should be prepared to travel in an efficient and financially appropriate way.

Instructions for applying

Your application must include:

• 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,
• 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.
• Any other document to which you would like to draw attention (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 should be written in English. We will continuously read applications and call for interviews.

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)

Uppsala University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. The position is foreseen to start on 01/01/2025. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position or research project, please contact: Associate professor Germán Salazar Alvarez, german.salazar.alvarez@angstrom.uu.se, Associate professor Ocean Cheung ocean.cheung@angstrom.uu.se, or Associate professor Tapati Sarkar tapati.sarkar@angstrom.uu.se,

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

Please submit your application no later than 30 August 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2314

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.