Job description

Position as Researcher available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology, University of Oslo.

The position is for a period of 18 months with the possibility of a 12 months extension depending on funding.

Starting date of the position is 1. August 2021

More about the position

A researcher position is open to work in the project “MOF Based Single-Site Cooperative Catalysis for CO2 Hydrogenation (CO2pCat)” funded by the Research Council of Norway (project number: 314321) and led by Researcher Ainara Nova.

The CO2pCat project aims at developing a metal organic framework (MOF) containing functionalized linkers for the selective hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol.

This goal will be achieved by using the following approach:

1. Gaining insight on the key steps leading to CO2 hydrogenation to alcohols in single-site MOF catalysis.

2. Designing linker-supported catalysts based on DFT calculations and machine learning models.

3. Implementing and testing experimentally the catalysts that will be designed computationally.

The researcher will apply computational methods to study the mechanism for CO2 hydrogenation reactions catalysed by single-site MOFs. Periodic calculations will be performed for the geometry optimization of the MOFs with the metal functionalized nodes or linkers. The information obtained will be benchmarked with experimental data including (IR, UV-Vis, EXAFS …). Cluster models will be used to get thermodynamics and kinetics information on the CO2 hydrogenation mechanism. Electronic structure analysis and microkinetic models will be used to rationalize the output of the calculations.

The researcher is expected to co-supervise PhD students and work in close collaboration with experimental chemists. Access to state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities will be given.

In addition to the researcher and Nova, the CO2pCat team involves one PhD student and one experimental researcher hired for the project, the researchers David Balcells and Evgeniy Redekop and Profs. Mats Tilset and Unni Olsbye.

The fellowship is based at the Catalysis Section at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) in cooperation with the Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Sciences.

The Catalysis section at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology/Department of Chemistry has approximately 30 members and is working on three main topics: 1) zeolites and zeotypes, 2) metal-organic frameworks, 3) organometallics and homogeneous catalysis.

The Hylleraas Centre for Molecular Science is a Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway in 2017. The Centre has approximately 60 members working in six research themes (RTs): 1) Electronic Structure, 2) Multiscale Modelling, 3) Spectroscopic Processes, 4) Extreme Environments, 5) Chemical Transformations, and 6) Multiphase Systems.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has the strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this ambition, and are expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in chemistry, material science, or physics. The Doctoral thesis must be approved by the time of application.
• Documented experience with periodic DFT calculations is required.
• Experience using CP2K, VASP and/or Materials Studio is desired.
• Experience in the modeling of catalytic processes, microkinetic modelling, MOFs, as well as programming, will weigh positively in the assessment and ranking of applicants.
• Knowledge in characterization technics of nonporous materials and experience in the simulation of spectroscopic data will be beneficial.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English is required

Personal skills

• Ability to conduct high-quality independent research within a broad collaboration
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness work together with PhD and/or Master/Bachelor students in specialty field
• Self-motivation, creativity, genuine curiosity about the subject, work discipline, professional ethics, and ambition

We offer

• Salary NOK minimum 523 200 – 608 200 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Researcher (position code 1109)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates and academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, as well as the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For further information please contact Ainara Nova, e-mail: ainara.nova@uio.no

For questions regarding the recruitment system please contact HR Adviser Ørjan Pretorius, e-mail: orjan.pretorius@mn.uio.no

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