Doctoral (PhD) position in Nanotechnology and Functional materials, with focus on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for water harvesting and hydrogen generation - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Admission to Doctoral (PhD) Studies in the subject Engineering Sciences with specialization in Nanotechnology and Functional materials

at the Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials, 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 engineering and master's programs. Our research and teaching is conducted within seven divisions with different research focus.

Read more about us here

About the division
The Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials is part of the Department of Materials Science, and engineering, Ångström Laboratory. At the division, we conduct research within functional porous materials for energy and environmental applications, nano biomaterials, sustainable electrical energy storage and energy transformations, functionalization of electrode surfaces for catalytic applications, additive manufacturing of pharmaceutical materials, microsensors for in vivo usage and sustainable materials from biomass. Researchers here thus have extensive experience in the functionalization of biomaterials, biocompatibility, diagnostics, additive manufacturing, organic energy storage, nanosafety and the development and characterization of functional porous materials. Read more about the division here.

Project Description
This is a project in the field of functional porous materials for applications such as gas separation (greenhouse gases), water harvesting, water purification, catalysis and drug delivery. Within the project there is expertise in the synthesis and optimization of a wide range of porous materials, including porous oxides, zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), etc.

In this project, you are given the opportunity to focus on environmental applications of porous materials such as MOFs. Specific application areas include water harvesting by adsorption and catalytic hydrogen generation using MOFs. The project mainly involves the synthesis and characterization of existing and new MOFs, as well as the development of post-synthesis processing methods such as 3D printing and the construction of simple devices for water capture and hydrogen generation.

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. 

Typical work tasks may include:

• l Synthesis and characterization (e.g., X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, gas adsorption) of porous materials
• l Testing of materials for sorption-related applications that are within our current research areas, with a major focus on water adsorption under various application relevant conditions, as well as to design, optimize and perform (thermo and photo-) catalytic reactions for hydrogen generation.
• l Working in a multidisciplinary team of national and international collaborators.

Qualification Requirements
Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, mineralogy, or a similar field

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
Knowledge in porous materials, skills in organic and inorganic synthesis, and heterogeneous catalysis.

Knowledge and skills in material characterization techniques such as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), diffraction techniques (e.g. X-ray), and electron microscopy (SEM, TEM).

Experience in the design and building of laboratory-scale devices such as flow reactors, and breakthrough systems.

We attach great importance to your personal qualities and you need to be self-motivated and proactive and have the ability to independently plan and run projects. You are structured and able to work effectively both individually and in a group, as well as able to collaborate and communicate with people in different subjects easily. You also have a good ability to write academic text.

Your application must include

• Your application must include
• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself, why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position.
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your master's degree and your course grades.
• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to refer to.
• 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 11-01-2024 or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position please contact: Prof. Maria Strømme, Ass. Prof. Ocean Cheung, or Ass. Prof. Chao Xu.

Please submit your application by October 1 2024 UFV-PA 2024/2879

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