PhD position – Computational/Molecular modelling of functional…

PhD position – Computational/Molecular modelling of functional biopolymers from trees.

Your workplace

The PhD student will be placed in the Theory and Modelling group at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE, http://liu.se/loe ), belonging to the Department of Science and Technology, Linköping University (Sweden), at the university’s Norrköping Campus. The LOE is renowned for its world-leading research on electronic devices based on organic electroactive materials. Its primary theme involves the coupling of ions and electrons as signal carriers for applications in printed electronics, organic energy- and electrochemical devices, and organic bioelectronics. Currently, the research staff of the Laboratory includes about 150 researchers (professors, senior and junior scientists and PhD students). The LOE is also a partner in the Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC). WWSC is a research center striving for scientific excellence with a focus on new materials from trees. The center creates knowledge and builds competence for an innovative and sustainable future value creation from forest raw materials. WWSC is a multidisciplinary collaboration between KTH, Chalmers, and Linköping University. The base is a donation from Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and the forest industry is supporting WWSC via the national platform Treesearch.

Your work assignments

The PhD student will perform computational simulation and modeling of functional biopolymers and materials from trees such as nanocellulose, lignin and their composites, as well as perform modelling of devices made from these materials (such as membranes, electrodes etc). The simulation and modelling will be ranged from the ab initio and Molecular Dynamics simulations on the atomistic level to the drift-diffusion simulation on the device level to answer the fundamental questions concerning material morphology, structure, ion diffusion, device performance and many others. The simulation and modeling activity will be carried out in a tight collaboration with the experimental teams at LOE, as well as with teams at Chalmers University of Technology and Royal Institute of Technology where the obtained theoretical results will help to understand and guide the material and device design for better and enhanced performance, and, vice versa, the input from the experiment will provide an essential motivation for the theory.

As a doctoral student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Your qualifications

You have graduated at Master’s level in chemistry/physics/material science or in related fields with a strong background in computational quantum chemistry/physics, or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses in the above fields. Computer and programing/scripting skills, and experience in molecular dynamics simulations are desirable, but not a requirement. The interested candidate should be strongly self-motivated, to show a keen interest in science and fundamental research and be willing to work in a team. Good communications skills and proficiency in spoken and written English are required.

Terms of employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University . The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.

Starting date
Winter/Spring 2022/2023 or by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of doctoral students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression. More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Application procedure

Apply for the position on-line here https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies?rmpage=job&rmjob=20191&rmlang=UK (Ref LiU-2022-03931; position title: “PhD student in Applied Physics – Computational studies of functional biopolymers from trees”). Your application must reach Linköping University no later than 25 November 2022. Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered. The application should be written in English and include:

• cover letter (maximum 2 pages, describe what makes you interested in this particular position and how you could contribute to the research and team),
• CV (including contact details of reference persons and publication list if applicable)
• undergraduate transcript records with grades, both Bachelor and Master.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives – diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody’s equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities .

Contact persons:

Prof. Igor Zozoulenko, [email protected]

Mrs. Martina Klefbeck, HR partner, [email protected]

URL to the announcement
https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/vacancies?rmpage=job&rmjob=20191&rmlang=UK

We look forward to receiving your application!