PhD student in Materials Chemistry

The Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is, with about 160 employees, one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Natural sciences 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 often encompass synthesis, and characterization by X-ray, neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, solid-state NMR, and computer modelling of materials with a potential for various applications. Research activities in the area of Analytical Chemistry focus on developing advanced analytical techniques for studies of organic compounds and biomolecule. More information about us, please visit: the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry.

Starting January 2025 the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry and the Department of Organic Chemistry will merge in to the Department of Chemistry. It will then be one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Natural sciences at Stockholm University with about 200 employees.

Project description

Safe and sustainable textile recycling: A nanocellulose approach

Main supervisor: Aji Mathew, Co-supervisor: Mika Sipponen

The thesis work will be conducted within the framework of the Mistra Safchem programme focusing on Safe and Efficient Chemistry by Design.

This project builds on the successful work carried out in the group on textile recycling to produce nanocellulose and new materials based on nanocellulose (Ruiz-Caldas, Maria-Ximena et al.

Cell Reports Physical Science, 5, 2, 101795,2024). It is considered that tuning the chemical processes to ensure the safety and sustainability is crucial for textile recycling.  The main responsibilities of the student will be to develop processing routes to fractionate textiles to produce nanocellulose using green chemicals and produce new photonic materials in collaboration with partnering industries. The candidate will also focus on evaluating the chemical footprint of the process and   LCA of the process in collaboration with Mistra Safechem partners. The candidate will work in collaboration with material chemists, organic chemists and analytical chemists at SU.

The candidate will collaborate with the PIs from different departments at Stockholm University (SU) as well as the extended Mistra SafeChem consortium which includes Swedish Environmental institute (IVL), Research Institute of Sweden (RISE) and  industries ( E.g. Nouryon)

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

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.

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

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 English.

The applicant should easily take initiatives and cooperate well in groups. Highly motivated students with a background in chemistry, biotechnology, polymer or materials science and an interest in innovative and multi-disciplinary research are encouraged to apply.  A basic training in one of the following fields; biomass refining, nanocellulose processing, colloidal chemistry, nanoparticle self-assembly or photonic crystals will be of advantage.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the post

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 %).

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.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact Prof. Aji Mathew, telephone: +46 8 16 12 56, aji.mathew@mmk.su.se. For general information about the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, please contact the Head of the Department, Prof. Niklas Hedin, niklas.hedin@mmk.su.se.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. 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.

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

You are welcome to apply!