PhD student in Inorganic Chemistry

at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry . Closing date: 23 October 2021.

The Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is, with about 160 employees, one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Natural sciences at Stockholm University. A significant part of the teaching activities is at the undergraduate level with courses in General, Physical, Inorganic, and Analytical Chemistry. The teaching at the graduate level focuses on the master programs in Sustainable Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry. Research activities of MMK focus primarily on materials, and include different classes such as ceramics, glasses, self-assembled, porous materials, and soft matter. The projects often encompass synthesis, and characterization by X-ray, neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, electron crystallography, solid-state NMR, and computer modelling of materials with a potential for various applications. Research activities in the area of Analytical Chemistry focus on developing advanced analytical techniques for studies of organic compounds and biomolecules.

The PhD position is one of the 15 Early-Stage Researcher (ESR) positions within the NanED (Electron Nanocrystallography) project funded by EU Innovative Training Network H2020-Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program (Grant agreement n. 956099; Please note that this position is Grant Agreement signature pending). NanED aims to form a new generation of electron crystallographers, able to master and develop 3D ED techniques in an interdisciplinary and interconnected network, where competences and know-how of usually distant scientific sectors are shared and merged. NanED will also establish a new standard of crystallographic training, closer to current industrial needs. Finally, NanED will boost the dissemination of 3D ED in academic and industrial laboratories, pushing Europe to be the leader for nanomaterial characterisation and development, with a noticeable and global economic impact. More information about NanED can be found at https://naned.eu/ .

Project description
Project title: Development electron-based pair distribution function and its application on structural investigation of local disorders in functional materials

Project leaders (PI): Dr. Cheuk-Wai Tai (main supervisor) and Prof. Xiaodong Zou (MMK, co-supervisor).

Dr. Tai’s research group develops new methods to enable high throughput and multidimensional experiments in electron microscopes, and is one of the leading groups in the development of electron-based pair distribution function (ePDF) analysis as well as 3D diffuse scattering. We aim to improve the acquisition and analysis of imaging, diffraction, spectroscopy data and chemical mapping. Our method has been used by many research groups to study catalysts, drugs carriers, microelectronics, metallic glass and low-dimensional nanostructured materials. We also carry out (S)TEM study of materials and devices with specific functionality, for example energy storage/conversion materials, catalysts, magnetic materials and hybrid materials.

The objectives of the PhD project are to establish protocols for acquisition and processing of ePDF data in order to enhance the robustness of the method, and to apply the methods to study the structural disorders / defects in some selected functional materials, of which the structural detail cannot be clearly revealed by standard diffraction techniques. The candidate will be a member of multidisciplinary team working with physicists, chemists, materials scientists, crystallographers and electron microscopists with broad research background. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with other groups at SU and international partners. She/he will participate in various training programs organised by NanED to gain broad knowledge and competence in the field.

The candidate should have a strong collaborative and communication skill, be self-motivated and a good team player. The applicant should also have excellent skills in the English language, both written and spoken. Knowledge on crystallography, programming or TEM are desired but not necessary. The candidate should have a Master or equivalent degree in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Materials Sciences. For more information see Tai’s homepage: www.su.se/english/profiles/ctai .  

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of Chemistry is valid. Those studies should include at least one specialized course or a thesis in the research subject. In order to facilitate the evaluation of merits and suitability for the PhD studies your curriculum vitae (CV) should contain information about the extent and focus of the academic studies. The quantity (as part of an academic year) and the quality mark of courses in chemistry and physics are of particular interest. Please, state titles of undergraduate theses and project works. You can find more information about qualification requirements on the Department's webpage for PhD studies .

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity: the candidates’ documented knowledge in a relevant field of research, written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position.

Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements for an ESR under the Horizon 2020 ITN Programme at the date of recruitment; in particular, they should be eligible to be appointed as an ESR by satisfying the following criteria:

• to have less than 4 years research careers after Undergraduate/Masters graduation (this is cumulative research experience and does not include management/industrial or other work experience);
• to not hold a PhD degree (PhD candidates under 4 years of registration and before completion may apply);
• to not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in Sweden for more than 12 months (cumulative) in the three years immediately before their recruitment (meant as the first day of the employment of the researcher for the purposes of the action (i.e. the starting date indicated in the contract). Compulsory national service and short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

A short list will be set up and interviews with the top candidates will be carried out at the department or via internet.

Economic support for the PhD studies is guaranteed for full time studies during the time period agreed on in the individual study plan. The studies do normally mean four years full time studies. You are encouraged to contact the project leader for more information about the project.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations .

Terms of employment
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

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

Contact
For more information, please contact the PI, Dr. Cheuk-Wai Tai, [email protected] . For general information about the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, please contact the Head of the Department, Professor Gunnar Svensson, [email protected] .

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

Application
Apply for the PhD student 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 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 degree projects/theses
• Project proposal/Research proposal describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 6 files)
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 6 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.

Closing date: 23/10/2021

URL to this pagehttps://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs/phd-student-positions-1.507588?rmpage=job&rmjob=15982&rmlang=UK