Joint doctoral scholarship holder “Synthesis and advanced characterization of mesoporous metal phosphonates”

Department: Department of Chemistry
Regime Full-time

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• the development, the transfer and the application of high-standing academic education and scientific research, free from any prejudice;
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The Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science is looking for a full-time (100%) joint doctoral scholarship holder in the field of “synthesis and advanced characterization of mesoporous metal phosphonates”.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a joint PhD thesis in the field of “synthesis and advanced characterisation of mesoporous metal phosphonates (PMPs)”. PMPs are a class of hybrid materials characterized by a high specific surface area and a long-range organic-inorganic network, ensuring tunability of the physicochemical properties. The specific molecular interaction of organophosphonic acid moieties to the metal oxide units, which is exceptionally strong with M(IV) centres (e.g. compared to M(IV)-carboxylates), enables these bonds to endure demanding reaction conditions. Your PhD work will focus on preparing mesoporous templated PMPs as powders and thin films. Next to conventional characterisation, you will perform advanced surface characterisation (e.g. XPS, UPS, TOF SIMS, AFM) of the materials prepared by yourself and your fellow PhDs in the project to reveal analytical signatures of bonding modes and interface properties .
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for practical courses and/or STEM events and mentor thesis students .

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in chemistry, materials science, bio-engineering or applied engineering  or you will have obtained it by the time you start work. Final year master students, that will graduate in 2022, are encouraged to apply.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision .
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are eager to learn new skills and are safety minded.
• You are a team player and willing to collaborate with others, while working at 2 universities in an equal time distribution.
• You are fluent in English and have excellent communication skills.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of 1 year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another 3 years with an evaluation on a yearly basis.
• The planned start date is September 1st  2022 or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts  for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken of UAntwerpen and VUB in Brussels in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here  and VUB

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including June 6th  2022  (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter, your academic CV, diploma transcripts if available.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions  or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dr. Vera Meynen, [email protected]  and Prof. Dr. Tom Hauffman, [email protected] .

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award  for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.