Assistant young researcher in the field of Materials science and technology

15 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Nova Gorica

Department

Human Resources

Research Field

Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Slovenia

Application Deadline

14 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Ljubljana)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

We welcome candidates for assistant young researcher (doctoral candidate) position at the student-friendly and research-oriented University of Nova Gorica . Successful candidate will join research activities in the dynamic research environment supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure through involvement in international research collaborations. Successful candidate will enroll in the appropriate postgraduate study program at the Graduate school of the University of Nova Gorica.

The position pertain to the following PhD adviser:

1. mentor: doc. dr. Andraž Mavrič: 1 position

Research Topic: Materials science and technology 

Carbon dioxide reduction using supported noble metal nanoparticles based on the intercalation chemistry of layered double hydroxides

The PhD candidate will investigate the potential of noble metal-based CO2 -to-methanol catalysts at low temperatures and mild pressures. These catalysts, consisting of alloys with noble metals such as Pd, Pt, or Au, can achieve higher methanol selectivity at low temperatures and milder pressures, depending on the support types and preparation methods. Despite drawbacks such as low activity, sintering, and high cost, noble metal catalysts offer the possibility of overcoming the CO2 activation energy barrier at low temperatures and milder pressures than conventional Cu-based catalysts, making them a suitable choice for new CO2 -to-methanol catalyst design. The research aims to improve the dispersion of noble metal on metal oxide matrices, resulting in few nm-sized noble metal particles, thereby increasing the noble metal loading. It aims to improve noble metal-metal support interactions to mitigate time-on-stream deactivation and stabilize reaction intermediates favorable to methanol formation. This will be achieved through an innovative approach that explores the intercalation chemistry of layered double hydroxides. A precursor for catalyst formation will be generated via cation coprecipitation, anion exchange, and thermal treatment, resulting in a mixed metal oxide support with highly dispersed noble metal particles. The candidate will use electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis to characterize precursors and catalysts. In situ and operando testing using mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray adsorption spectroscopy will be used to assess the stability of reaction intermediates, elucidate reaction pathways and evaluate the stability of noble metal nanoparticles.

Candidates for this position are required to meet the conditions for young researcher as stated in the Rules on selection and founding of young researchers  at University of Nova Gorica.

Conditions for the selection of a young researcher candidate:

• Has not yet completed a doctorate in science or obtained the title of doctor of science;
• Has not yet been employed as a young researcher;
• No more than four years have elapsed since the year of completion of their second cycle

 programme of study or the programme of study leading to eligibility for admission to the  

doctoral programme. In the event of absence due to parental care after the completion of the study programme, with which they have enrolled/will enrol in doctoral studies, this period shall be extended for the duration of the justified absence. In the case of justified absence determined in the health insurance regulations, after the completion of the study programme, with which they have enrolled/will enrol in doctoral studies, this period shall be extended only in the case of continuous absence of more than six months (absence of more than six months means at least six months and one day), and only for the duration of the justified absence.

Prior to the beginning of the funding of the training, the young researcher shall obtain the habilitation title assistant. Conditions for obtain the habilitation title assistant are set out in the Article 4 of Regulations concerning conditions and appointment procedures for research and teaching positions at the University of Nova Gorica .

Criteria for the evaluation and selection of young researcher candidates:

• Assessment of the interview with the candidate (up to 5 points); Published papers (up to 3 points);
• Participation in research work (up to 3 points);
• Awards or recognitions received (up to 1 point);
• The average grade of the second cycle study programme or the study programme which        

            qualifies the candidate for admission to the doctoral programme (1 point for an average     

            grade between 9 and 10 inclusive and 0.5 point for an average grade between 8 and 8.99

            inclusive).

The selected young researcher not having completed his second cycle study when applying to the tender must complete his study by 15 September at the latest.

University of Nova Gorica shall conclude employment contract with the selected young researcher candidate.

Young researchers' training shall be funded until they have obtained a PhD or for a maximum of four years.

The provisions of the Act on Scientific Research and Innovation Activities (UL. RS., 186/2021), the Employment Relations Act ZDR-1, the Rules on the Selection and Founding of Young Researchers and Regulations concerning conditions and appointment procedures for research and teaching positions at the University of Nova Gorica shall be applied in the selection process of young researchers.

The following must be attached to the application:

• a short motivational letter;
• CV;
• a copy of your degree certificate, list of passed exams, grade point average and other relevant documents.

Please send your application, along with the required attachments which evidence the fulfillment of the formal requirements by e-mail to [email protected] no later than 14 April 2024.

The application should be sent as a single PDF e-mail attachment.  

 

Requirements

Research Field

Other

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Level

Good

Research Field

Other

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

Candidates for this position are required to meet the conditions for young researcher as stated in the Rules on selection and founding of young researchers  at University of Nova Gorica.

Conditions for the selection of a young researcher candidate:

• Has not yet completed a doctorate in science or obtained the title of doctor of science;
• Has not yet been employed as a young researcher;
• No more than four years have elapsed since the year of completion of their second cycle

 programme of study or the programme of study leading to eligibility for admission to the  

doctoral programme. In the event of absence due to parental care after the completion of the study programme, with which they have enrolled/will enrol in doctoral studies, this period shall be extended for the duration of the justified absence. In the case of justified absence determined in the health insurance regulations, after the completion of the study programme, with which they have enrolled/will enrol in doctoral studies, this period shall be extended only in the case of continuous absence of more than six months (absence of more than six months means at least six months and one day), and only for the duration of the justified absence.

Prior to the beginning of the funding of the training, the young researcher shall obtain the habilitation title assistant. Conditions for obtain the habilitation title assistant are set out in the Article 4 of Regulations concerning conditions and appointment procedures for research and teaching positions at the University of Nova Gorica .

Criteria for the evaluation and selection of young researcher candidates:

• Assessment of the interview with the candidate (up to 5 points); Published papers (up to 3 points);
• Participation in research work (up to 3 points);
• Awards or recognitions received (up to 1 point);
• The average grade of the second cycle study programme or the study programme which        

            qualifies the candidate for admission to the doctoral programme (1 point for an average     

            grade between 9 and 10 inclusive and 0.5 point for an average grade between 8 and 8.99

            inclusive).

The selected young researcher not having completed his second cycle study when applying to the tender must complete his study by 15 September at the latest.

Selection process

The following must be attached to the application:

• a short motivational letter;
• CV;
• a copy of your degree certificate, list of passed exams, grade point average and other relevant documents.

Please send your application, along with the required attachments which evidence the fulfillment of the formal requirements by e-mail to [email protected] no later than 14 April 2024.

The application should be sent as a single PDF e-mail attachment.  

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Nova Gorica

Country

Slovenia

State/Province

Slovenia

City

Nova Gorica

Postal Code

5000

Street

Vipavska cesta 13

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Slovenia

City

Nova Gorica

Website

http://www.ung.si/

Street

Vipavska cesta 13

Postal Code

5000

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED