PhD student in Inorganic Chemistry

at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry. Closing date: 23 April 2020.

The Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is, with about 150 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 Materials 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, 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.

Project description
Project title: 3D electron crystallography on nanoporous materials
Supervisor (PI): Professor Xiaodong Zou, xzou@mmk.su.se.

Nanoporous materials such as zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have unique pore structures and can accommodate guest species size- and shape-selectively. They are of academic, industrial, and commercial interests and have vast applications in gas storage, separation and catalysis. Knowing the 3D atomic structures is essential for understanding the functions and tailoring the properties of the materials. X-ray diffraction is presently the most important technique but requires large crystals. Electron microscopy (EM) and electron diffraction (ED) can be used for studying nano and micron-sized crystals.

The group of Professor Zou is internationally leading in developing and applying electron crystallographic methods for structure determination, especially 3D and serial electron diffraction for high-throughput phase analysis and accurate structure determination.

The aim of the project is to develop time-resolved and high-throughput 3D and serial electron diffraction methods and study the synthesis of nanoporous materials and their interactions with guest species. The materials to be studied are primarily zeolites and metal-organic frameworks. Liquid phase TEM will be applied for time-resoloved study on the formation of nanoporous materials and structural changes induced by guest species. High-throughput ED methods will be developed for phase analysis of multi-phasic materials and discovery of new porous materials.

The student will be part of a large group and in close collaboration with researchers from academia and industry. She/he 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. Good knowledge on TEM/STEM and/or nanoporous materails is an advantage. The candidate should have a Master or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics or Materials Sciences. For more information see Zou’s homepage: www.su.se/english/profiles/xzou-1.187418.

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.

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.

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 are guaranteed for full time studies during the time period agreed on in the individual study plan. The studies does 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) Professor Xiaodong Zou, xzou@mmk.su.se.
For general information about the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, please contact the Head of the Department, Professor Gunnar Svensson, gunnar.svensson@mmk.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se.

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: Instructions – Applicants.

You are welcome to apply!

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