PhD Research Fellow in Materials Chemistry Related to Hydrogen Technologies

• English

A position as PhD Research Fellow in in Materials Chemistry is available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) , Department of Chemistry , University of Oslo. 
The project will be carried out in close collaboration with Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) located at Kjeller.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Starting date: No later than November 1st, 2024.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

Knowledge development in a changing world - Science and technology towards 2030.

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We seek a PhD research fellow with qualifications and interest in materials science related to technologies for the production, storage, and use of hydrogen. The work is part of HYDROGENi , a national Norwegian Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) dedicated to the research and innovations within hydrogen and ammonia crucial for reaching the 2030 and 2050 goals of the Norwegian hydrogen road map. The Centre is coordinated by SINTEF, with University of Oslo (UiO) as one of the partners. 

This PhD project has focus on developing and understanding materials properties that are required for liquefaction technology of hydrogen by means magnetocaloric materials. The safe storage of hydrogen is essential for successful introduction of hydrogen as energy storage system and as basis for fuels. Possible routes 
include high pressure tanks, storage in solid materials, or liquid hydrogen. Since storage of liquid hydrogen is limited to very low temperatures, improvements in efficient cooling technology is requested. In this project, heat changes connected with phase transitions will be utilized for this purpose. Hence, the research focus is on development and detailed understanding of solids that can undergo magnetic (electronic) and structural phase transitions. 

The materials will be synthesized by using arc melting, mechanochemistry, solidstate methods and also spark plasma sintering (SPS), at UiO and at IFE.
A number of methods will be used to investigate the materials; prime tools are

• Powder X-ray diffraction for information on phases and crystal structure
• Temperature dependent studies; X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility and differential thermal analysis to identify phase transitions
• Studies of key magnetic properties using a PPMS instrumentation, as well as neutron diffraction studies at large scale facilities, e.g. SINQ, Switzerland
• Studies of structural and electronic properties using synchrotron radiation; at SNBL, ESRF, Grenoble. France

This PhD candidate will be affiliated with the research group for Nanostructures and Functional Materials (NAFUMA) at UiO and with the Department for Hydrogen Technology at the Institute for Energy technology (IFE) . Experimental work will be done at both institutions, as well as project supervision.

The Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) is an interdisciplinary centre, with collaboration between five research groups in physics and chemistry, representing spearheads of the MN Faculty's efforts on sustainable energy solutions. The Centre comprises UiO’s focus on renewable energy, materials science, 
and nanotechnology.

The successful candidate is expected to work as part of a broader team at SMN, the Department of Chemistry and IFE, and interact with other fellows in the HYDROGENi project/centre, also at other institutions. The candidate is expected to join the HySchool - the Norwegian research school on hydrogen and hydrogenbased fuels.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in solid state or inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry or materials science
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2024 to complete the final exam
• Good knowledge and experience in synthesis, fabrication, or characterization of inorganic materials, in particular X-ray or neutron diffraction, as well as studies of magnetic properties. Experience within more than one of the mentioned topics is considered highly beneficial.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English. 
• Experience and skills related to collaboration with other fields is valued.

The position's subject area may require licensing under the Norwegian Export Control Act. 
In order to be considered for the position, it is a prerequisite that UiO must be able to be granted such license:
https://www.uio.no/english/studies/admission/master/export-control.html.
Since the research area for the position can include technologies referred to in the Ministry's export control regulations, 
the candidate must be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:

         https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. 

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position.

For more information see: 

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/
 
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

• Ability to conduct high-quality independent research
• Interpersonal communication skills and strong teamwork ability
• Willingness to collaborate with PhD and/or Master/Bachelor students in a specialty field
• Self-motivation, creativity, genuine curiosity concerning the field of study, work discipline, professional ethics, and ambition

• Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement 
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests, a clear statement of to which extent you fulfil the requirements  
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records
• Letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

UiO has an agreement for all employees , aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

For further information about the position please contact:

Professor Anja Olafsen Sjåstad, phone: +47 228 55848, e-mail: [email protected]
Professor Helmer Fjellvåg, phone +47 228 55564, e-mail: [email protected] 
Adj.prof. Bjørn C. Hauback, phone: +47 974 08844, e-mail: [email protected]
 

For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact:

HR Adviser Olga Holmlund,  e-mail: [email protected]

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society. 

Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) is an interdisciplinary focus field for material and energy research at the University of Oslo. 

SMN has focused on basic research in renewable energy and environmentally friendly use of fossil energy sources. The center consists of research groups from the Department of Physics (Fi) and Chemistry (Ki), has about 100 employees from around the world and manages more than 80 projects funded by the EU, the RCN and others.

14th April 2024

University of Oslo

Oslo

Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Temporary

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