PhD student in Materials Chemistry for Sustainable Organic Semiconductors

The Department of Chemistry, with more than 200 employees, is one of the largest departments at Stockholm University. The Research spans all areas of chemistry such as analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic and structural chemistry and organic chemistry. The research projects are many from theory to experiment, from basic research to more applied projects often focusing on sustainable chemistry but also advanced analytical methods of chemicals and materials. The department has a very well-developed research infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment with qualified support from staff scientists. The department also hosts the Bachelor's degree programme in chemistry and three Master's programmes: analytical chemistry, sustainable chemistry, and organic chemistry. PhD programmes are conducted in five areas: analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry. Research activities in the area of bioelectronics focus on advanced materials, fabrication methods, and their application to advance state-of-the-art bioelectronic devices. More information about us, please visit: the Department of Chemistry.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more: https://wise-materials.org

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School <https://wise-materials.org/research-school/>, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Project description

Project title: Organic semiconductor–insulator blends for scalable organic electrochemical transistors

Supervisors: Assist. Prof. Erica Zeglio (main supevisor); Prof. Mahiar Max Hamedi (co-supervisor)

Organic semiconductors offer a promising route toward more sustainable electronics, especially for short-lived applications such as wearable health monitors, environmental sensors, and intelligent packaging. However, their widespread adoption is currently limited by synthetic complexity, high material costs, and environmental impact.

This project explores blends of organic semiconductors and insulating polymers to address these challenges. By integrating insulating polymers, we aim to lower the carbon footprint, improve processing scalability, and maintain or enhance the electronic performance of the active layer.

The project builds on our recent results showing that high-performance can be achieved with a significantly reduced fraction of the organic semiconductor. This approach enables more sustainable processing and supports the development of low-cost, sustainable materials for printed organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) and electrochemical sensors.

The research environment provides access to advanced infrastructure and interdisciplinary expertise spanning materials chemistry, polymer science, bioelectronics, and green processing. The selected candidate will gain hands-on experience in sustainable materials design, thin film and device fabrication, and performance evaluation of bioelectronic materials and devices thereof.

We are looking for a curious and motivated candidate with a strong interest in sustainable materials for organic electronics. The ideal applicant will have a problem-solving mindset and a will be eager to work across fields such as materials chemistry, electrochemistry, and device physics. Candidates with a background in materials chemistry, materials science, polymer science, organic electronics, or related disciplines are particularly encouraged to apply. A strong command of written and spoken English is required.

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.

You meet the specific entry requirements, to be admitted to a doctoral program in materials chemistry, if you have a bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or physics, and must have completed independent work totaling at least 30 credits at advanced level.

Special eligibility also applies to you who have acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in another order within or outside the country.

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 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.

About the employment

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 Erica Zeglio, erica.zeglio@su.se. For general information about the Department of Chemistry, please contact the Head of the Department, Prof. Niklas Hedin, niklas.hedin@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.