PhD student in advanced spectroscopic characterization of multivalent thin film electrodes for batteries

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in the chemistry field. The department has more than 270 employees and has a turnover of 300 million SEK. At the department's six programs, we conduct very successful research of a high international standard. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international cooperation and we see continued good growth in our subject area. The department has education assignments in engineering programs and master's programs. More information is available on our website Department of Chemistry Ångström Laboratory.

Duties
We are seeking a PhD student for the research program Structural Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström, starting in 2026. The admitted candidate will take part in a project focused on manufacturing, developing and characterizing thin‑film materials for multivalent battery chemistries. The main task of the PhD student will be to use and further develop advanced spectroscopic methods to characterize the surface chemistry of the thin films produced within the project. These measurements are typically carried out at synchrotron radiation facilities both within and outside Sweden, and the PhD student is expected to contribute to beamtime applications, as well as the planning and execution of these studies. Furthermore, the PhD student is expected to perform materials synthesis, electrochemical characterization and complementary measurements using relevant techniques, and to connect these results with the surface and interfacial studies in order to obtain a fundamental understanding of the initial and long‑term surface chemistry in these types of batteries.

An individual study plan will be established at the start of the employment, taking into account the student’s background in relation to the project’s plan and implementation. The work will be carried out at the Ångström Laboratory with full access to research and development facilities. The PhD student is expected to participate actively in project meetings, publish scientific articles based on the obtained results, take responsibility for the shared research environment, and participate actively in internal seminars as well as national and international conferences. The PhD student may also take part in teaching and other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of the working time.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• been awarded a second-cycle degree in X, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

The candidate must have:

• very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• experience in experimental work in materials characterization and the associated analysis of results

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Additional qualifications

• basic knowledge of electrochemistry and batteries
• experience in experimental work and analysis of photoelectron spectroscopy
• experience from materials synthesis

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 2026-06-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

For further information about the position, please contact: 
Maria Hahlin, maria.hahlin@kemi.uu.se

Please submit your application by 3 March 2026 UFV-PA 2026/378.

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