WISE Doctoral (Phd) position in Solid State Physics with focus on the design and investigation of novel magnetic nanocomposites for environmental applications

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 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 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.

WISE
This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more: https://wise-materials.org All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry. 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.

Project description
In the project, we aim to synthesize and characterize functional magnetic nanocomposites and investigate their potential as nano-adsorbents and photocatalysts for the removal of pollutants from water via adsorption and/or catalysis. Solution-based synthesis techniques will be used to synthesize nanocomposites that will contain magnetic components, preferably iron oxides, to enable magnetic separation. The synthesized materials will be characterized by morphological/structural analysis, surface investigations, and detailed magnetic measurements. The catalytic properties of the nanocomposites and their adsorption efficiencies will be investigated to determine their ability to remove water contaminants by measuring adsorption isotherms and performing kinetic studies. The project also includes the development of a magnetic separator system for separation experiments to measure the possibility of recycling and reusing the synthesized materials.

The project is a collaboration between the Division of Solid State Physics and Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials, at the Department of Materials Science, Uppsala University, and the University of Genoa, Italy. There will be opportunities to interact with other research groups within the WISE program by actively participating in conferences and workshops organized by WISE and as a member of the WISE Graduate School.

Duties
The tasks within the research project described above includes the synthesis of magnetic nanocomposites using solution-based synthesis techniques and evaluating their applicability for water purification. The tasks also include working, alone or with others, to:

• Carry out structural and morphological characterization of the synthesized materials using state-of-the-art diffraction and microscopy techniques
• Carry out photocatalytic and adsorption studies using the synthesized materials, focusing on a range of water pollutants (heavy metals, radionuclides, pharmaceutical chemicals, dyes)
• Carry out magnetic characterization of the synthesized materials using state-of-the-art magnetometers and Mossbauer spectroscopy
• Develop a magnetic separator system for magnetic separation tests to efficiently remove the toxic pollutants from water post-adsorption

Dissemination of the acquired knowledge through scientific articles in international scientific journals and presentations at international conferences are also included in the tasks.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics or equivalent qualifications.

We require proven experience in solution-based chemical synthesis.

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
Documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas is considered a merit:

• Basic material and structural characterization
• Magnetism
• Measurement of adsorption, catalysis, and magnetic properties
• Programming in Python and experience using LaTeX

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

We are looking for a candidate who appreciate working in an international and interdisciplinary research environment. Your experience and expertise will be crucial in advancing the ongoing research at the institutions and contributing to its future development.

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 (preferably three) contact persons who have accepted to be references for you. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent.

The application should be written in English.

Being a PhD student

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

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.

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.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2025-01-15 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

Please submit your application by 29 november 2024, UFV-PA 2024/3520

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