Postdoctoral Fellow in Design and NMR Characterisations of Crack-resistant Glasses

Updated: 11 months ago
Deadline: 26 Apr 2023

Ref. No. SU FV-1096-23


at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry . Closing date: 26 April 2023.

The Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) with about 160 employees is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Natural sciences at Stockholm University (SU). The extensive research activities of MMK encompass both the development and characterization of large groups of (functional) materials, such as soft matter and polymers, biomaterials, self-assembled and porous materials, for primarily applications in Materials Science and Sustainable/Green Chemistry. The experimental characterisation techniques involve X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, NMR and other spectroscopic techniques, along with modelling by computer simulations. Environmental aspects are central for most research activities.

Project description
Project Leader (PI): Prof.  Mattias Edén, [email protected] .

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. Read more: https://wise-materials.org .

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.

Oxide-based glasses play an increasing role as recyclable materials for a truly circular and sustainable society, encompassing numerous everyday products such as windows, solar cells along with applications in optics and telecommunications. The present project aims at developing environmental-friendly aluminosilicate glasses that combine properties of high hardness and crack-resistance, thereby enabling durable and very thin glasses suitable for flat-screen displays, such as in mobile phones. To reach the goal of a rational design of such glasses, the relationships between their composition, atomistic structure, and physical properties must first be understood. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy under high-resolution magic-angle-spinning (MAS) conditions will mainly be utilized for unravelling the local/”atomistic” aluminosilicate glass structure. Those results will then be analysed in conjunction with measured mechanical and elastic properties of the glasses to establish composition-structure-property relationships, which will guide the design of environmental-friendly and sustainable glasses with optimal properties.

Main responsibilities
The selected candidate will be responsibility for planning, executing, and disseminating the research orally as well as in writing (scientific papers). The experimental aspects of the project primarily involve glass synthesis, measuring physical glass properties, and performing structural studies by MAS NMR. These results will be analyzed for establishing composition-structure-property relationships with the ultimate goal of developing new thin glasses that are sustainable, strong, and durable glasses that may offer (for instance) a next-generation mobile-phone displays.

Although most research activities will be performed at Stockholm University, the postdoc working in the project is expected also to spend a few months at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden in Växjö (Sweden), where most of the glass-property measurements will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Stefan Karlsson (Co-PI).

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

The applicant should have a Ph.D degree in Chemistry (preferred) or Physics (or equivalent), along with a well-documented experience wih research in the fields of glasses and/or structural studies by solid-state NMR.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated and creative person with a passion for solving challenging scientific problems. The selection will be based primarily on scientific excellence and well-documented experience of previous research in glass science and/or solid-state NMR experimentation; previous hands-on research experience in both these fields are considered particularly advantageous. The applicant should have a strong knowledge in English, both orally and in writing, and an ability to interact and collaborate with colleagues.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2023-08-01 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from the project leader Professor Mattias Edén, telephone: +46 8 16 23 75, [email protected] .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , and [email protected] (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. 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.

Please include the following information with your application

  • Your contact details and personal data
  • Your highest degree
  • Your language skills
  • Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

  • Cover letter
  • CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
  • Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
    – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
    – why and how you wish to complete the project
    – what makes you suitable for the project in question
  • Copy of PhD diploma
  • Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
  • Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.


URL to this page
https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs?rmpage=job&rmjob=20520&rmlang=UK



Similar Positions