PhD Student in Polymer Materials for Energy and Sustainability

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's top universities. It has approximately 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We unite in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of humanity.

Lund University welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all aspects of our operations.

Description of the Department

Within the Centre for Analysis and Synthesis (https://www.cas.lu.se/ (https://www.cas.lu.se/)) at the Department of Chemistry, we work on fundamental research questions that can contribute to a more sustainable future. Our research focus is on health, materials for energy applications, green chemistry, and environmental chemistry. We have core competencies in molecular design and synthesis, synthesis of organic and inorganic materials, chemical analysis, as well as structural and morphological analysis, both in solution and solid state. We teach core subjects in general, analytical, inorganic, materials, polymer, and organic chemistry — from undergraduate to doctoral level.

The PhD position is associated with Patric Jannasch's research group (https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/patric-jannasch (https://portal.research.lu.se/en/persons/patric-jannasch)), which conducts research in the area of polymer materials for energy and sustainability, including within the research center “PUSH” (https://www.kth.se/push (https://www.kth.se/push)).

Being a PhD Student

As a PhD student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. As a doctoral student, you are trained in a scientific approach. This can be briefly described as gaining practice in critical and analytical thinking, solving problems independently with the right methodological choices, and developing research ethics awareness. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, develop your leadership skills, and enhance your pedagogical abilities. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies conclude with a dissertation and a doctoral degree.

More about being a PhD student at LTH can be found at lth.se (https://www.lth.se/forskning/forskarutbildning/).

Project Description

The energy systems of the future will require efficient and environmentally friendly electrolyzers, fuel cells, and batteries based on hydrogen as a renewable energy carrier. In these electrochemical systems, ion-conducting polymers and electrolyte membranes are central materials and components. In this PhD project, you will develop new concepts for ion-conducting polymer membranes, which includes molecular design and synthesis of monomers and polymers, as well as studies of the next generation of membrane materials. Your main goal will be to develop new synthesis strategies and new knowledge on how to tailor polymers to effectively combine high ionic conductivity with chemical stability and mechanical strength. Therefore, your focus will be on the synthesis of new materials, and the experimental work will include organic synthesis of monomers, polymerizations, polymer characterization, fabrication of ionic membrane materials, and analysis of electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Your project will be conducted in collaboration with both national and international universities and research institutes. The position will involve a limited number of travels to participate in various meetings and research activities.

Responsibilities

You will primarily engage in your doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral courses, seminars, and conferences.

The responsibilities include:

• Research within the research project
• Collaboration with academic partners
• Supervision of thesis students
• Limited administration related to the above responsibilities
• Limited responsibility for the operation of some of the research group's instruments
• Participation in teaching and other departmental work (max 20% of working time).

Qualifications

To be admitted and employed as a PhD student, you need to meet the requirements below.

Eligibility Requirements

You meet the basic eligibility for doctoral education if you have:

• completed a master's degree or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way

Other Requirements

To benefit from the current doctoral education, the following is also required:

• good collaborative skills and a structured and creative ability
• good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle scientific problems
• good written and oral communication skills
• good knowledge of English, both spoken and written

Meritorious

The following are meritorious for the current doctoral education:

• Desirable education as a Master of Science in Chemistry with a focus on organic chemistry or polymer chemistry at the master's level
• Practical experience with organic synthesis
• Practical experience with polymerizations and/or functionalization of polymers
• Experience with ionic polymers and membranes

LTH – Lund University Faculty of Engineering – is the engineering faculty at Lund University. At LTH, we educate people, build knowledge for the future, and work hard to develop society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire creative development of technology, architecture, and design. Nearly 10,000 students study here. Each year, our researchers — many of whom work in world-leading profile areas — publish around 100 dissertations and 2,000 scientific findings. A number of research results and student projects are refined into innovations. Together we explore and create — for the benefit of the world.

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