PhD Candidate in Nanotechnology and Functional Materials with a Focus on the Use of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Hydrogen Production

Project Description

This is a project in the field of functional porous materials for applications such as gas separation (greenhouse gases), water harvesting, water purification, catalysis, and drug delivery.

The project encompasses expertise in the synthesis and optimization of a wide range of porous materials, including porous oxides, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), etc.

In this project, you will have the opportunity to focus on environmental applications of porous materials such as MOFs. Specific application areas include water harvesting through adsorption and catalytic hydrogen generation using MOFs. The project mainly involves the synthesis and characterization of existing and new MOFs, as well as the development of processing methods post-synthesis such as 3D printing and the construction of simple devices for water harvesting and hydrogen generation.

Job Responsibilities

The main task for a PhD candidate is to engage in their doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral courses. The responsibilities may also include involvement in teaching and other departmental work, but no more than 20% of the working time.

Being a PhD candidate means independently driving projects within a specific doctoral subject. You will continuously collaborate with other PhD candidates and researchers to collectively create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors to support you during your doctoral education. However, you will work largely independently, for example, through work in a laboratory environment and writing articles for journals and for results for your doctoral thesis. Usually, some form of mid-term seminar is included after about half of the education period.

When you are accepted into a doctoral program, you will be offered a position as a PhD candidate. A PhD position at Uppsala University corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years.

Read more about the doctoral education here

The job responsibilities include:

• Synthesis and characterization (e.g., X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, electron microscopy, gas adsorption) of porous materials
• Testing materials for applications within adsorption that lie within our current research areas, with a strong focus on water adsorption under various application-relevant conditions, as well as designing, optimizing, and performing (thermo- and photo-) catalytic reactions for hydrogen generation.
• Working in an interdisciplinary team in collaboration with national and international partners.

Qualifications

Master's degree or engineering degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field, or other education deemed equivalent to these qualifications.

Documented experience with porous materials, particularly the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks, as well as knowledge of diffraction techniques (e.g., X-ray diffraction) and electrochemistry (e.g., CV, DPV).

We require good oral and written proficiency in English.

Regulations for PhD candidates can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) Chapter 5 §§ 1-7 as well as in the university's rules and guidelines.

Desirable/meritorious qualifications

Documented experience in one or more of the following areas is considered an asset:

• Knowledge and skills in material characterization techniques such as electron microscopy (SEM),
• Experience using metal-organic frameworks for the release of solvents or molecules

We place great emphasis on your personal qualities, and you should be self-driven and proactive, as well as able to independently plan and drive projects. You should also be structured and able to work effectively both individually and in a group, and have an easy time collaborating and communicating with people from different disciplines.

Your application should include:

• A short letter describing yourself, why you want to pursue a PhD, and why you are suitable for this position.
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your master's degree/engineering degree and your course grades.
• Copies or drafts of your advanced level thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to reference.
• Names and contact details of at least two referees who have agreed to be references for you, along with any additional recommendation letters. It should also be stated what relationship you have had with each referee.

The application should be written in English. We will continuously review application documents and invite candidates for interviews.

Please note that this is a shortened version of the advertisement. To see the full advertisement, please click on “Apply here” or visit Uppsala University's website: https://uu.se/jobb/ (https://uu.se/jobb/)

About the Position

The position is temporary, according to HF Chapter 5 § 7. The extent is full-time. Start date 2025-03-01 or by agreement. Place of employment: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: (Ocean Cheung + 0184717811 [email protected]).

Welcome with your application by February 5, 2025, UFV-PA 2025/118

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The position may be subject to security clearance. In the case of security clearance, a condition for employment is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.