Stockholm University was founded in 1870 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has around 30 500 students, 1400 PhD students, and more than 5 700 staff. Stockholm University is rooted in the principle of offering knowledge and education for a sustainable world.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
PRISMAS – PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden – is a new doctoral network training the next generation of 40 leading synchrotron experts, co-funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND Programme.
As a PRISMAS PhD student, you will have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research in your field, taking advantage of state of the art tools that will bring to attractive future job opportunities in academia or industry. Moreover, you are part of designing the future of synchrotron technology and instrumentation and using these to tackle some of the most significant global challenges the world faces today while acquiring interdisciplinary and intersectoral knowledge.
Being part of the PRISMAS programme gives you the one-of-a-kind experience in form of a secondment at the world´s first 4th generation synchrotron, MAX IV in Lund, Sweden. Complemented with a tailored training programme, including courses to build scientific and technical competence as well as strengthen transferrable skills, PRISMAS provides you with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to successfully achieve your doctoral degree.
The Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is, with about 160 employees, one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Science at Stockholm University. A significant part of the teaching activities is at the undergraduate level with courses in General, Physical, Inorganic, and Analytical Chemistry.
The teaching at the graduate level focuses on the master programs in Sustainable Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry. Research activities of MMK focus primarily on materials, and include different classes such as ceramics, glasses, self-assembled, porous materials, and soft matter. The projects within the unit of Materials Chemistry often encompass synthesis, and multifaceted characterization and computer modelling of materials with a potential for various applications.
MMK is located with other chemistry departments in the Arrhenius Laboratories at the Frescati Campus of Stockholm University. The campus is connected to the metropolitan transportation network via metro, regional train and bus. The current position is well aligned with this research environment that hosts several PRISMAS projects.
At MMK PhD students are often involved in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, among other departmental responsibilities that count towards prolongation of the employment. The PhD Student Council offers opportunities for involvement in the departmental decision-making and participating in extracurricular activities.
The research group Functional Polymers and Carbons (www.yuan-group.com) led by Professor Jiayin Yuan (www.su.se/english/profiles/jiyu0266-1.363335) is guided by an exciting mission to design, create and investigate broadly defined functional polymers and carbons, particularly in a well-structured (e.g., colloidal or porous) form, via simple chemistry and processing. We aim to understand fundamental knowledge and confront challenges in these materials to build up a better and more sustainable society. The team deals with both basics in polymer science and carbon research, and the forefront topics in materials science and processing to inspire new solutions to environmental and energy issues.
Project description
The research project is focused on fundamental research devoted to identifying the key mechanistic steps during the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction on transition metal nitrides such as CrN in order to develop a rational understanding. In particular, we aim to monitor the oxidation state of chromium and the potential oxygen formation on the surface during the electrochemical NRR reaction. This will be achieved by using in situ ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy at MAX IV. This instrumental platform, once set up, will be extended further to the hydrocarbon synthesis from e.g. CO2.
The MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS offers you outstanding opportunities as well as a stimulating and inspiring surrounding for performing cutting-edge research. Supporting your mobility, it creates perfect conditions for strengthening your international network.
The training implies a secondment of 3-12 months at MAX IV laboratory in Lund, Sweden. Additional secondments and/or short stays may be arranged in agreement with the supervisor of the research project. Moreover, you will attend international conferences, participate in periodical project meetings and training schools as well as in specialised courses at different universities to complement your knowledge. A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities.
Qualification requirements
To comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA COFUND programme, you are eligible if you have not resided in Sweden for more than 12 during the period 2020-10-30 to 2023-10-31 for work or studies as main occupation.
By the employment date (before 01/03/2024) you must have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, have been awarded a Master´s degree or have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.
In addition to the criteria abovementioned, you must have fulfilled a second cycle education in a relevant field, such as chemistry, materials science, or physics.
You are eligible for the PRISMAS programme, if you are a doctoral candidate, i.e., are not already in possession of a doctoral degree.
In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of Chemistry is valid.
The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.
Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity: the candidates’ documented knowledge in a relevant field of research, written and oral proficiency in both Swedish and English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence.
The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position.
Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations.
Terms of employment
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.
The position is a fixed term position for four years at 100 per cent of full time and foreseen to start on 01/03/2024.
The holders of these positions have a primary obligation to successfully fulfil their postgraduate (third cycle) education ending with a doctoral degree (PhD). A position as PhD Student can contain some limited teaching or other departmental work at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry. The maximum amount of such work is 20 %.
The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.
Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.
Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
Contact
For more detailed information on the position or the research project, please contact: Professor Jiayin Yuan, jiayin.yuan@mmk.su.se.
If you have questions on the selection process, please contact: prismas@maxiv.lu.se.
For questions on the employment conditions and the university, please contact: Head of the Department, Professor Niklas Hedin, niklas.hedin@mmk.su.se.
Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se.
Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
Please include the following information with your application
- Your contact details and personal data
- Your highest degree
- Your language skills
- Contact details for 2–3 references
and, in addition, please include the following documents
- CV in Europass format
- A two-page cover letter, justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications as well as the prioritization in case of applying to several PRISMAS positions
- At least one reference letter
- An evidence of English 3 proficiency (minimum B2 level)
- Copy of academic records (including marks for all coursework) with a transcript of diploma in English,
- Any other document to which you would like to draw attention (details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)
These documents should be uploaded (pdf) in the job application portal. Exam certificates and other documents on paper should be scanned or photographed before being uploaded.
The application will be evaluated based on scientific excellence, the adequacy of your career plan and your thesis project as well as your research experience.
Details on the novel, unique and common selection process for all the PRISMAS positions can be found here: How to apply – MAX IV (lu.se)
The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.
You are welcome to apply!
Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.
Deadline: 2023-10-31 at 23:59
Unit: Dep of Materials and Environmental Chemistry
Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.
Post expires on Tuesday October 31st, 2023
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