PhD student in Materials Chemistry (MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS)

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. More information about us, please visit: the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry.

PRISMAS - PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden, co-funded by Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND, is a doctoral network training 40 synchrotron experts.

As a PRISMAS PhD student, you'll conduct cutting-edge research with state-of-the-art tools, leading to opportunities in academia or industry. You'll help design the future of synchrotron technology and tackle global challenges while gaining interdisciplinary 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 synchotron, MAX IV in Lund, Sweden.

For more information about the PRISMAS programme, read here.

Read more about the research group Functional Polymers and Carbons here: http://www.yuan-group.com, which is led by Professor Jiayin Yuan.

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 months during the period 2021-09-01 to 2024-08-31 for work or studies as main occupation.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere by the employment date.

You are eligible for the PRISMAS programme, if you are a doctoral candidate, i.e., are not already in possession of a doctoral degree.

Specific entry requirements are described in the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of Chemistry.

In addition to the criteria abovementioned, you must have fulfilled a second cycle education in a relevant field, such as chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science and engineering.

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:

• documented knowledge in a relevant field of research
• capacity for analytical and creative thinking
• initiative
• independence
• ability to collaborate
• written and oral proficiency in both Swedish and English.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the post

Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time and foreseen to start on 01/01/2025.

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

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.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. The documents that need to be attached:

• Curriculum Vitae in the Europass format, max 4 A4 pages
• Two-page cover letter (if you apply for more than one PRISMAS project at one or more universities you should include a priority ranking)
• Minimum one reference letter
• Proof of English language (minimum CEFR proficiency level B2)
• Academic transcript, including grades for all coursework, with a transcript of a diploma in English

Read more about required documents and your application here: How to apply – MAX IV (lu.se).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

You are welcome to apply!