Doctoral (Phd) position in Nanotechnology and Functional materials, with focus on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for environmental application

Admission to Doctoral (Postgraduate) 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, Ångström Laboratory.

at the Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials Division, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Uppsala University

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About the Department

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 are conducted within seven divisions with different research focuses, as well as a division that provides support and service. The department is an international place to work, and has around 230 active co-workers.

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.

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Project description

Our research group specializes in the development of porous materials for applications such as gas separation (greenhouse gases), water treatment, catalysis, and drug delivery. We have strong competence in the synthesis and optimization of a wide range of porous materials, including porous oxides, zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), etc.

This project is primarily focused on the environmental applications of porous materials such as MOFs. Specific application areas include adsorption and catalytic degradation of pollutants, in particular PFAS and greenhouse gases. The project mainly involves the synthesis, characterization, and optimization  of existing and novel MOFs.

Duties

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, for example by working in a laboratory environment, writing articles for journals and producing 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.

Typical work tasks may include

• Synthesis and characterization (e.g., X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, gas adsorption) of porous materials
• Testing of materials for sorption-related applications that are within our current research areas, with a major focus on PFAS removal by adsorption from water, as well as to design, optimize and perform catalytic degradation of PFAS molecules using MOFs.
• Working in a multidisciplinary team of national and international collaborators.

Eligibility requirements

To meet the general entry requirements for doctoral studies, the applicant must have:

completed a degree at second-cycle level or completed at least 240 credits of higher education studies, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level including an independent project of at least 15 credits, or otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.

Requirements

Master’s (second-cycle) degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a similar field.
Documented knowledge and experience in porous materials, particularly the synthesis and characterization of framework porous materials, as well as diffraction techniques (e.g. X-ray diffraction) and applications of framework porous materials.

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: 

• Sorption experiments for pollutant removal from water
• Photocatalysis
• Synthetic chemistry, including organic synthesis

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 also have a good ability to write academic text.

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 agreed 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 as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: 
Ocean Cheung + 0184717811 + ocean.cheung@ansgtrom.uu.ss

Please submit your application by 2026-08-17, UFV-PA 2026/2080

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