PhD Position in Chemistry at Kemikum, Stockholm University

Kemikum is, with approximately 200 employees, one of the largest institutions at the Faculty of Science at Stockholm University.

A significant part of the teaching activities takes place at the undergraduate level with courses in basic physical, inorganic, organic, and analytical chemistry. Teaching at the advanced level focuses on master’s programs in sustainable chemistry, organic chemistry, and analytical chemistry.

Research activities at the department primarily involve studies of materials and include various classes of these such as ceramics, glass, porous materials, and soft materials. The projects often include synthesis as well as characterization using various methods; X-ray, neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, solid-state NMR, and computer modeling of materials with potential for various applications. Research activities in analytical chemistry focus on developing advanced analytical techniques for the study of organic compounds and biomolecules. More information about us can be found here (https://www.su.se/institutionen-for-material-och-miljokemi/) and here (https://www.su.se/institutionen-for-organisk-kemi/).

Kemikum was established on January 1, 2025, through a merger of the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry and the Department of Organic Chemistry.

Project Description

Project title: Development of methods for nano-crystalline sponges by combining metal-organic frameworks and 3D electron diffraction.

Supervisors (PI): Professor Xiaodong Zou (main supervisor), Dr. A. Ken Inge (co-supervisor).

Structural analysis is crucial for discovering new compounds and materials. X-ray diffraction remains the gold standard for determining atomic structures in 3D, but it requires large single crystals. In 2013, Fujita's group pioneered the crystalline sponge method, which combines metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with single-crystal X-ray diffraction to determine the 3D structure of molecules that are difficult to crystallize. However, the method's dependence on large, high-quality crystals of MOFs limits the range of suitable candidates for crystalline sponges.

The PhD project aims to extend the crystalline sponge method to nano-crystalline sponges using 3D electron diffraction (3D ED) for structural analysis. The proposed PhD project aims to develop methods for nano-crystalline sponges and use 3D electron diffraction (3D ED) for structural analysis. The project includes:

• Designing and synthesizing various MOFs with varying pore structures and functionalities.
• Developing strategies for high-throughput screening of crystals to identify potential crystalline sponges for different types of molecules.
• Establishing a comprehensive workflow for nano-crystalline sponges for 3D structural analysis of organic molecules with high throughput and high quality using 3D ED.
• Exploring the applications of nano-crystalline sponge methods.

More information about the project can be found here (https://kaw.wallenberg.org/en/research/three-dimensional-images-enhance-our-molecular-understanding-nature) and here (https://www.su.se/english/profiles/xzou-1.187418).

Eligibility Requirements

To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have basic and specific eligibility. The eligibility must be fulfilled by the last application date.

You have basic eligibility if you have obtained a degree at the advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Specific eligibility is described here (https://www.su.se/institutionen-for-material-och-miljokemi/forskning/borja-forska).

Selection

Selection among applicants is made with regard to the ability to benefit from education at the doctoral level. Criteria used to assess this ability include:

• documented subject knowledge relevant to the research area
• analytical and creative thinking
• initiative
• independence
• collaboration ability
• ability to express oneself in speech and writing in both Swedish and English.

The ideal candidate should be self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative. Good collaboration and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work effectively as part of a team. The applicant should have excellent proficiency in English, both written and spoken. Experience in MOF synthesis, crystallography, and/or transmission electron microscopy is highly desirable.

More information about the admission regulations can be found here (https://medarbetare.su.se/vart-su/styrning/regelboken/utbildning/antagningsordning-for-utbildning-pa-forskarniva).

About the Employment

We offer a fixed-term position as a PhD student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The employment period may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a PhD student, you will primarily focus on your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research, and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20%).

A new employment as a PhD student is valid for a maximum of one year, and the employment is renewed thereafter for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University is committed to being a workplace free from discrimination and providing equal rights and opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information is provided by PI Xiaodong Zou, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]). General information about the workplace, Kemikum at Stockholm University, can be obtained from the head of the department, Professor Niklas Hedin, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Application

You apply for the PhD position via Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the documents requested in the application form. You, as the applicant, are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it reaches the university by the last application date.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the webpage: here (https://www.su.se/om-universitetet/jobba-p%C3%A5-su/att-s%C3%B6ka-en-anst%C3%A4llning).

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