Postdoc in ionic materials for supercapacitors

The division of Surface and Corrosion Science at the Chemistry department is now looking for a Postdoc who will work together with Prof. Mark Rutland .

The position is located at the School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH) at KTH.

The driver is the neeed for material science to provide sustainable solutons in energy production. The position is concerned with research into the design of a novel supercapacitor based on the self-assembly of ionic materials at interfaces. It will span research from understanding properties of ionic liquids and their solutions, the role of structure and charge, and the response to surface potential.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE) . 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.

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate 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.

The successful applicant will be responsible for driving this project, performing the necessary experiments, interpreting them and writing reports and scientific publications in high ranked journals. The job will also entail coordinating input from a multidisciplinary team and designing a supercapacitor demonstrator.

The School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH) conducts research and education in areas that cover several global challenges. Among them are the need of sustainable energy, health and aging population, climate change, sustainable production and working life, food production and clean water. It consists of 9 units, among which The Chemistry Department is one of the largest. Research and teaching are very diverse but are united by a molecular approach. We work on important research problems with broad relevance for energy, materials, environment and health, and a common theme is materials and molecules at interfaces. Surface and Corrosion Science is one of 4 divisions within the department.

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH

Read more about what it is like to work at KTH

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• The research area should be in a relevant discipline, such as surface chemistry, physical chemistry, electrochemistry, materials science, physics or equivalent.
• Knowledge and experience of advanced level application of at least one relevant experimental technique for the project, such as Atomic force Microscopy, Neutron/Xray reflectometry, surface force measurement, Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy, Interfacial Optical Spectroscopy, Quartz Crystal Microbalance.
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken, since it is required in the daily work.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Experience of research in the ionic liquids field, as well as prior experience of electrochemical or capacitor systems.

Personal skills

As a person, you have an enthusiasm for research and for the development, supervision and teaching of your junior colleagues and students. You are independent, self-driven and have a strong collaborative ability, a commitment to benefiting your psychosocial environment and a sense of humour. Your personal convictions are in line with KTHs views on diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal competency.

You will find contact information to trade union representatives at KTH's webbpage .

Log into KTH's recruitment system in order to apply to this position. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad.

The application must include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
• Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max two pages long.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.