atthe Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry. Closing date: 2 May 2023.
Stockholm University was founded in 1870 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top 100 universities. The University has around 30 500 students, 1400 PhD students, and more than 5 700 staff. Stockholm University is rooted in the principle of offering knowledge and education for a sustainable world.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
PRISMAS - PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden – is a new doctoral network training the next generation of 40 leading synchrotron experts, co-funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND Programme.
As a PRISMAS PhD student, you will have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research in your field, taking advantage of state of the art tools that will bring to attractive future job opportunities in academia or industry. Moreover, you are part of designing the future of synchrotron technology and instrumentation and using these to tackle some of the most significant global challenges the world faces today while acquiring interdisciplinary and intersectoral knowledge. Being part of the PRISMAS programme gives you the one-of-a-kind experience in form of a secondment at the world´s first 4th generation synchrotron, MAX IV in Lund, Sweden. Complemented with a tailored training programme, including courses to build scientific and technical competence as well as strengthen transferrable skills, PRISMAS provides you with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to successfully achieve your doctoral degree.
The Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is, with about 160 employees, one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Science 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 within the unit of Materials Chemistry often encompass synthesis, and multifaceted characterization and computer modelling of materials with a potential for various applications.
MMK is located with other chemistry departments in the Arrhenius Laboratories at the Frescati Campus of Stockholm University. The campus is connected to the metropolitan transportation network via metro, regional train and bus. The current position is well aligned with this research environment that hosts several PRISMAS projects.
At MMK PhD students are often involved in teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels, among other departmental responsibilities that count towards prolongation of the employment. The PhD Student Council offers opportunities for involvement in the departmental decision-making and participating in extracurricular activities.
The research group Sustainable Materials Chemistry (SUSMATCHEM) (www. sipponenlab.com/) led by Assistant Professor Mika Sipponen (www. su.se/english/profiles/misi6261) develops functional materials based on lignin and other renewable building blocks in order to contribute to a sustainable industry and society. The group also conducts ground-laying studies on formation and structure, as well as the chemical and physical functions of renewable nanomaterials, hybrid materials and composites in their target applications. The group hosts two prestigious grants, one from the European Research Council (ERC-StG-2022) and another from The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF-FFL8). With backing from various Swedish and European funding organizations, the group is embarking on new paths. Building on their diverse roots, the group is collaborating with leading researchers from renowned universities across the globe who share the goal of advancing functional materials derived from natural sources.
Project description The research project is focused on fundamental research devoted to elucidate aggregation of lignin from solution in the presence of metal ions. Lignin is a natural resin in wood and one of the gems of the forest industry, with a growing interest towards its use in biobased materials. In this project you will be at the forefront of this development. Your work duties within the research project include preparation and characterization of colloidal lignin particles and their precursor molecules. You will also study interactions of metal ions with lignin and formation of solid structures using time-resolved scattering techniques at MMK and MAX IV.
The MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS offers you outstanding opportunities as well as a stimulating and inspiring surrounding for performing cutting-edge research. Supporting your mobility, it creates perfect conditions for strengthening your international network.
The training implies a secondment of 3-12 months at MAX IV laboratory in Lund, Sweden. Additional secondments and/or short stays may be arranged in agreement with the supervisor of the research project. Moreover, you will attend international conferences, participate in periodical project meetings and training schools as well as in specialised courses at different universities to complement your knowledge. A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities.
Qualification requirements To comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA COFUND programme, you are eligible if you have not resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the period 2020-05-01 to 2023-05-02 for your work or studies as main occupation.
By the employment date (before 01/09/2023) you must have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, have been awarded a Master´s degree or have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.
In addition to the criteria abovementioned, you must have fulfilled a second cycle education in a relevant field, such as chemistry, materials science, or physics.
You are eligible for the PRISMAS programme, if you are a doctoral candidate, i.e., are not already in possession of a doctoral degree.
In order to meet the specific entry requirements , the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of Chemistry is valid.
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 both Swedish and 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.
It is an advantage if you have experience in lignin chemistry, colloidal chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, light scattering techniques, or other chemistry and physics experience related to 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 position is a fixed term position for four years at 100 % of full time and foreseen to start on 01/09/2023.
The holders of these positions have a primary obligation to successfully fulfil their postgraduate (third cycle) education ending with a doctoral degree (PhD).
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 on the position or the research project, please contact: Assistant Professor Mika Sipponen, [email protected]
If you have questions on the selection process, please contact: [email protected]
For questions on the employment conditions and the university, please contact the Head of the Department, Prof. Niklas Hedin, [email protected]
Union representatives Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected], Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), 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
and, in addition, please include the following documents
These documents should be uploaded (pdf) in the job application portal. Exam certificates and other documents on paper should be scanned or photographed before being uploaded.
The application will be evaluated based on scientific excellence, the adequacy of your career plan and your thesis project as well as your research experience.
Details on the novel, unique and common selection process for all the PRISMAS positions can be found here: How to apply – MAX IV (lu.se) The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.
You are welcome to apply!
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