Job description

A position as PhD Research Fellow in condensed matter physics/semiconductor physics is available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), University of Oslo, Norway.

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

Preferred starting date is August 1st, 2023.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25% that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

More about the position

Are you ready to take on a PhD challenge that could change the future of power electronics? The University of Oslo is excited to offer a PhD position in the field of condensed matter physics for the NFR funded ground-breaking research project "Diamond and Gallium Oxide Interfaces for Power Electronic Devices" (DOPED) at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology.

Join our team at SMN, consisting of five research groups that value cross-disciplinary research, and work with state-of-the-art clean room facilities at the MiNaLab to unlock the full potential of ultra-wide bandgap materials and pave the way for a more sustainable future in the field of power electronics.

The MiNaLab facility is a 440 square meter clean room with state of the art materials growth and characterization possibilities, run by the strategic research group LENS (Light and Electricity from Novel Semiconductors) which explores the ‘value-chain’ of new semiconductors for future applications.

The world is facing an energy crisis and a rapidly changing climate. The renewable energy sector is expanding, and power electronics (PE) are at the forefront of this development. However, silicon-based devices are reaching their limitations and new materials are needed to meet the demands of a smart-grid.

The goal of the DOPED project is to study and understand the properties of diamond and gallium oxide as ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) materials for PE applications, with a particular emphasis on the interfaces between these materials and their impact on device performance.

As the PhD Research Fellow you will play a key role on this project, and be responsible for optimizing the growth of gallium oxide on diamond, using photoemission and related techniques to study and characterise the materials.

You will also collaborate with researchers on the project focused on electrical characterisation of the materials. You will be supervised by the principal investigator Simon Cooil, and co-supervised by professors Justin Wells and Lasse Vines who have a combined 30 years of supervision experience.

The nature of the project will involve frequent visits to relavent experimental facilities (i.e. synchrtotron facilities) as well as visiting collaborators facilities at NTNU (Trondheim, Norway) and UCL (London, UK).

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition 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 physics, nanotechnology or an allied subject
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system

• Strong background in the field of condensed matter physics, particularly semiconductor materials

Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2023 to complete the final exam.

The position's subject area may require licensing under the Norwegian Export Control Act. In order to be considered for the position, it is a prerequisite that UiO must be able to be granted such licence.

It is desirable that applicants have knowledge and experience in:

• Growth and characterization of semiconductor materials.
• Photoemission spectroscopy
• Computer programming in a high-level language such as python, C++ or IgorPro
• Upgrading/maintaining scientific equipment, particularly vacuum equipment

Grade requirementsThe 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

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

Personal skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Enthusiasm for science
• Desire to contribute to a sustainable social environment
• Ability to work independentely and in a structured manner
• Ability and willingness to conduct research in a multidisciplinary setting and team

We offer

• Salary NOK 501 200 – 544 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• 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 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
• Documentation of English proficiency (applies for non-EU citizens)
• 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.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships 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 University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact information

For further information regarding this position and recruitment process, please contact:

• Dr. Simon Cooil, e-mail: simon.cooil@fys.uio.no

For technical questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact:

• HR Adviser Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no

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