Job description

Position as PhD Research Fellow in chemistry is within the iCSI center for research based innovation is available at the Center for Materials Science and Nanotechnology at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Norway (www.mn.uio.no/kjemi/).

The PhD fellowship is for a period of 3 years.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

The desired starting date is January 1st, 2021/ as soon as possible.

More about the position

The fellowship is based at the Catalysis Group at the Department of Chemistry and associated with the Center for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) and the iCSI center for research based innovation (Industrial Catalysis Science and Innovation) established by the Research Council of Norway. The research tasks will be carried out in close collaboration with industrial partner Haldor Topsøe A/S, located in Lyngby near Copenhagen, Denmark, and secondments with industry are likely.

The vision of SMN is to contribute to an increase of Norway's production through research on materials science and nanotechnology on functional materials, and ensure a level of quality that further builds the recognition of SMN as a leading center amongst the Nordic countries, as well as internationally. The main objective of iCSI is to boost industrial innovation and competitiveness as well as to provide efficient, low-emission process technology.

Employment at the Catalysis Group will allow the successful candidate the opportunity to work in a highly cross-disciplinary field in an internationally competitive research group with a high degree of international collaboration. Research in the Catalysis Group comprises extensive international collaboration, and research visits to partners in Europe is an integrated part of PhD training and research.

The position will contribute to an on-going, larger effort related to the energy challenges of the late and post fossil fuels society. More specifically, the overall project is related to the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured microporous solid catalysts such as zeolites and spectroscopic and mechanistic investigations of heterogeneous catalytic processes facilitated by such materials.

We are looking for an excellent candidate holding a Master's degree or equivalent in materials science, chemistry, or chemical engineering (minimum grade B, ECTS grading scale). The candidate will perform measurements of the activity of metal containing solid, porous zeolite catalysts and carry out characterization of these materials using vibrational spectroscopy. The candidate will also carry out in situ or operando FT-IR measurements for the same systems. Hands-on, practical experience with either measurements of catalyst performance or in situ vibrational spectroscopy applied to catalytic reactions occurring over porous materials, or both, is required. Experience with basic characterization of (metal containing) zeolites with methods such as adsorption, diffraction, and spectroscopy is considered to be an advantage.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition is to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Master's degree or equivalent in materials science, chemistry, or chemical engineering (minimum grade B, ECTS grading scale)
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• A strong background within at least one of the following two areas a) and b) is required:
  • a) Practical experience with measurements of gas or liquid phase reactions occurring over a solid catalyst, and the use and operation of gas chromatographs, mass flow controllers, Swagelok components etc.
  • b) Experience with in situ characterization of heterogeneous catalysts with methods such as such as infrared or Raman spectroscopy during operation is required.
• Experience with catalyst preparation is desirable
• Experience with basic catalyst characterization is desirable

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

Personal skills

• Ability to conduct high-quality independent research within a broad collaboration
• Interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• Self-motivation, creativity, genuine curiosity about the subject, work discipline, professional ethics, and ambitioN

We offer

• salary NOK 482 200 – 526 000 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Vibrant international academic environmen
• Career development programmes

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work 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.

Applicants may be called in for an interview.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.

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

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Prof. Stian Svelle, phone: +47 228 55454, e-mail: stian.svelle@kjemi.uio.no

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

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