PhD position (3 year) in the field of Soft Materials Science, Magnetism and the application of...

A PhD Fellow position is available in the field of Soft Materials Science and Magnetism together with the application of Neutron- and X-ray scattering at Roskilde University, Denmark.

The Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University (RUC), invites applications for a PhD fellowship at the Doctoral School of Science and Environment starting between 01.09.2021 and 01.10.2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. Applications are requested from candidates seeking to pursue a PhD degree within Magnetism,Soft Materials Science, Polymer Physics, Experimental Physics and Neutron and X-ray Scattering at large international facilities.

The PhD position is part of the Danish ESS (European Spallation Source) research lighthouse ‘Q-MAT – Magnetism and Quantum Materials’. The project is a collaboration between researchers at RUC, Copenhagen University (CphU) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The PhD position is anchored at RUC with co-supervisors at CphU and DTU.

The Department of Science and Environment is one of four departments at RUC. The Department conducts basic and applied research within physics, chemistry, mathematics, molecular biology, environmental sciences and medical biology. Bachelor and Masters’ programmes are offered within these areas. The PhD project is associated with the IMFUFA and FRUSTMI research groups (read more about IMFUFA and FRUSTMI research groups here: https://ruc.dk/en/research-group/mathematics-and-physics-imfufa and https://ruc.dk/en/research-centre/centre-frustrated-molecular-interactions .

Research area and project description
Is it possible to make a polymer based array of magnetic nano-cylinders (~ 100 nm height, ~ 5 nm width) standing on a substrate in a hexagonal pattern? The PhD project entitled ‘Tailoring a nano-scale magnetic landscape’ explores the possibility of linking a polymer without a magnetic moment with a polymer having a magnetic moment and exploiting the self-assembly of the resulting block copolymer into e.g. cylinders or other more exotic structures. Thin films of magnetic polymer nano-domains ordered in a matrix of the partner non-magnetic polymer will serve as a model system for exploring new magnetic phenomena, allowing nano-scale magnetic landscapes to be tailored and open up a host of possible applications in nanotechnology.

The specific aims in the PhD project are to:

The Doctoral School
The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School of Science and Environment in accordance with the rules issued by the Ministry of Technology and Science and additional regulations issued by Roskilde University. The PhD student will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish confederation of Professional Associations.

Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD position is an educational position and the main tasks are in accordance with chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws-and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf ).

The successful candidate will prepare samples, perform experiments and conduct data analysis within the described project. Likewise, the candidate will follow courses and workshops, participate in study groups and contribute to general university teaching activities in physics at RUC.

Qualifications and specific competences
You must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within physics or materials science or similar. We expect you to have a good working knowledge of mathematics and programming. The last relevant degree (Master or equivalent) on your CV cannot be older than 3 years. You cannot already hold a PhD degree. Fluency in spoken and written English (working language) is a requirement.

We expect you to be passionately interested and engaged in your scientific work. You are also required to be open minded, enterprising and to possess good communication skills. We expect you to be a visible, engaged participant in the daily activities of the research group both at RUC and in the Q-MAT network.

Assessment
In the assessment regarding employment, consideration will be given to:

In the assessment regarding enrollment, consideration will also be given to the following criteria:

• Educational skills and any further professional qualifications
• Grades at Master’s programme or equivalent
• Quality and relevance of the project description
• Your description of the Ph.D. project – Here you describe in which direction you would like to work and how your qualifications fit into the project (between a half and a full page).
• Quality and relevance of the methodical and theoretical choices
• Consistency and coherence between the problem and the choice of method and theory
• If the PhD project seem realistic and feasible
• Ability to complete the PhD project
• Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School

Selected candidates will be invited to visit RUC for a job interview and be asked to solve some minor tasks as preparation for the interview.

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Dorthe Posselt (RUC) on tel. (+45) 24282725, [email protected]

Terms of employment
At Roskilde University, the employment is a full-time employment with 37 hours a week and you will refer to the Head of Department Susanne Sørensen. The Position will be according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Head of Department will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee. Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and – later on – their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application
You must apply for the position online.
Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

Please submit your application no later than August 5th 2021.
Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender and personal background.