PhD student in Inorganic 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, electron crystallography, 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 biomolecules. 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.

Subject area 

Development of electron diffraction techniques for automated and accurate phase analysis and structure determination.   

Project leaders (PI): Prof. Xiaodong Zou (main supervisor), Dr. Gerhard Hofer (co-supervisor)  

Structure information is essential for understanding the properties and functions for all materials and molecules. Powder X-ray diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction are the most commonly-used techniques for phase analysis and structure determination, but encounter challenges when analyzing multiphasic samples and nanocrystals. During the discovery of new materials, major efforts and time are often spent to optimize synthesis conditions to obtain large crystals and pure samples. Recent development of new electron crystallographic techniques can overcome these challenges and provide new opportunities for discovery of novel structures and materials. Prof. Zou’s research group has more than 35 years’ experience in developing new electron crystallographic techniques and is internationally leading in crystal structural analysis by electron crystallography.   

The objectives of the PhD project are to establish automated data processing strategies and pipeline to process serial (rotation) electron diffraction data for accurate phase analysis and structure determination of inorganic, organic and protein nanocrystals. The new pipeline will be implemented on the new high-throughput analytical scanning transmission electron microscope (recently granted as part of the WISE technology platforms (https://wise-materials.org/research/technology-platforms/). The goal is to make electron diffraction into an automated, fast and reliable technique for materials screening and structure characterization.

The candidate should be interested in method development, and has excellent analytical skills and is proficient in programming. Knowledge on AI, crystallography, and/or transmission electron microscopy is an advantage. The student will be part of a large group and in close collaboration with researchers from academia and industry. She/he should have a strong collaborative and communication skill, be self-motivated and able to work as part of a team. The applicant should also have excellent skills in the English language, both written and spoken. The candidate should have a Master or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics or Materials Sciences. For more information see Zou’s homepage: www.su.se/english/profiles/xzou.  

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.

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 the PI Xiaodong Zou, xiaodong.zou@mmk.su.se. For general information about the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, please contact the 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. 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!