Postdoctoral position in Geophysics

Postdoctoral position in Geophysics

Are you interested in working with materials for a sustainable future, in a multidisciplinary research team that involves chemists, physicists, materials scientists and Earth scientists? We are hiring a postdoctoral researcher to conduct research on rare-earth element bearing minerals, for the purpose of developing new permanent rare earth magnets.

The Department of Earth Sciences of Uppsala University comprehensively cover research areas across Earth Sciences. Our research focuses on subjects that range from the Earth’s core to the atmosphere, on scales from submicroscopic structures in minerals to the formation of mountains and oceans. We have teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels. Our courses cover a broad range of the geoscience area and several of the department"s programs have received the highest rating in evaluations by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket) and the Swedish Higher Education Authority (Universitetskanslersämbetet). Please visit: The Department of Earth Sciences for more information about the department.

Geophysics concerns the understanding of Earth"s present and past structure and dynamics using methods based on measurements and models of Earth"s physical properties. In geophysics we use quantitative physical methods to investigate the Earth and its environment.

The financial support for the postdoctoral researcher comes from the Swedish Research Council (interdisciplinary research grant), in a project called “From Mineral to Functional Magnet”. The postdoctoral researcher will work within a larger research team including experts from different institutions at Uppsala University, which includes scientists from inorganic chemistry, theoretical physical and materials science. The overall objective of the project is to find new venues in producing functional rare earth bearing magnets, using the ingredients provided by the raw materials available from Swedish bedrock and deposits.

Duties
The primary duty of the postdoctoral researcher is to conduct research. The topic of research concerns sample preparation and chemical and physical characterization of minerals and rocks that contain rare earth elements. Different laboratory methods will be used in the research, including geochemical measurements, such as XRF, XRD, microprobe analyses, as well as physical properties measurements with a focus on magnetic properties instruments. Use and development of experience with a newly acquired quantum diamond microscope will be part of the research. Instrument facilities at both the Department of Earth Sciences and the Ångström laboratory will be used. Possibilities exist to use large scale infrastructure, such as the MAX-IV synchrotron, for material characterization. It is expected that research results will be published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Requirements
PhD degree in geophysics, geochemistry, geology, chemistry, physics or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in above discipliners. 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.

Experience in using laboratory instruments for measurements is a requirement. A high level in oral and written proficiency in English is required, as well as proficiencies in computational and programming skills. The candidate is expected to be able to work within a larger team of scientists, from disciplines in inorganic chemistry, physics and materials science.

Additional qualifications
Experience in working with rare earth bearing minerals will be considered a merit, as well as a background in mineralogy, crystallography, and research on physical properties of minerals and rocks.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 3 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 01-04-2025 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Bjarne Almqvist, bjarne.almqvist@geo.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 21 February 2025, UFV-PA 2025/283.

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