PhD Student in Chemistry of Interfaces

Luleå University of Technology experiences rapid growth with world-leading expertise within several research domains. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results and drawing on our location in the Arctic region, we create global societal benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are carried out in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has an annual turnover of SEK 1.8 billion. Today, we have 1,770 staff and 17,200 students.

In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

The Division of Chemical Engineering are searching for a motivated PhD within the research subject Chemistry of Interfaces with a research focus on the development of electrode materials and novel types of electrolytes based on non-halogenated ionic liquids for batteries and supercapacitors. We have a number of active projects on electrochemistry and battery research in a close collaboration with Chalmers University and New Boliden and establishing contacts with Northvolt in Skellefteå.

As a PhD student you will have a great opportunity to be a part of a research group, which operates in a dynamic, international research environment in a close collaboration with industry and leading universities all over the world. You will also be a part of the graduate school within SUN , Natural resources for sustainability transitions, one of Luleå University of Technology’s future areas.

Subject description
Chemistry of Interfaces deals with both experimental and theoretical aspects of the heterogeneous processes that occur at interfaces between liquid, solid and gas phases, as well as with the development of novel surface-sensitive analytical techniques for studying these processes at the molecular level.

Project description
The main aim of the project is to make use of pyrite from tailings in combination with carbon mats as an electrode composite material and non-fluorinated ionic liquids as electrolytes in novel types of supercapacitor devices. Pyrite of purity 95-98% and an average particle size of 80-100 mm is accumulated to ca. 250 kton per year in Boliden AB’s tailings in Aitik. Pyrite tailings are considered as undesired tailings, but also as a strategic reserve for possible future applications including electric energy storage devices. The use of lignin and biomass for production of carbon mats as components of electrodes and for the synthesis of non-flammable ionic liquids as electrolytes, are targets for the industrial transition towards “greener” economy. Therefore, the use of ionic liquids produced from biomass as non-flammable electrolytes in combination with pyrite-based electrodes is a combined approach towards greener technologies and a more sustainable society.

The project is funded by SUN – Natural resources for sustainable transitions at Luleå University of Technology and New Boliden in a close colaboration between research subjects Chemistry of Interfaces at the Division of Chemical Engineering and Process Metallurgy at the Division of Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.

Duties
As a PhD student you are expected to perform both experimental and theoretical work within your research studies as well as communicate your results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. In addition, you can have the opportunity to develop as a teacher. The tasks also include participating in seminar activities and other forms of research exchange within the SUN Graduate School.

The main focus of the project work is to design electrode materials based on pyrite and lignin and to design, synthesise and characterise fluorine-free ionic liquids based electrolytes. The goal in the work with ionic liquids is to use reagents from readily available, economical and “green” materials and following benign synthetic protocols. The resulting ionic-liquid-based electrolytes will then be characterised by NMR, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. In addition, physico-chemical properties, such as density, viscosity, thermal behaviour and ionic conductivity will be measured, along with the electrochemical stability and electrochemical tests in pyrite-based supercapacitors. 

Qualifications
In order to be eligible, you must have a master degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and a good knowledge of and experience in organic synthesis and physicochemical characterisation. You should write and speak English at a very good level. Experience in preparation of electrode materials and in the synthesis of ionic liquids and their characterisation is considered as an advantage.

For further information about a specific subject see General curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology Most employees at the research subject Chemistry of Interfaces are currently men why we would like to engage female applicants to apply for this post. Provided that the qualifications are the same, the underrepresented gender will be given priority.

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, teaching and other department duties may be added with max 10%. Placement: Luleå. Starting: January 2022

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Oleg N. Antzutkin, +46(0)920 492524, [email protected]  or Associate Professor Hesham Ahmed, +46(0)920 491309, [email protected]

Union representatives: SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 [email protected]   OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 [email protected]

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Reference number: 3909-2021
Last day of application: November 30, 2021

URL to this pagehttps://www.ltu.se/ltu/Lediga-jobb?l=en&rmpage=job&rmjob=5156&rmlang=UK