Job description

There is one position as PhD Research Fellow in Materials Chemistry is available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo.

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

Starting date: as soon as possible, or after agreemnet with SMN.

The fellowship is for a period of 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

We seek a PhD research fellow with qualifications and interest in materials science related to technologies for the production, storage, and use of hydrogen.

The work is part of HYDROGENi, a national Norwegian Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) dedicated to the research and innovations within hydrogen and ammonia crucial for reaching the 2030 and 2050 goals of the Norwegian hydrogen road map. HYDROGENi is coordinated by SINTEF, with University of Oslo (UiO) as one of the partners.

The PhD fellowship is affiliated with SMN and the Department of Chemistry, i.e., the research group for Nanostructures and Functional Materials (NAFUMA).

SMN is an interdisciplinary centre, promoting research in materials science and nanotechnology. The Centre is an international leader in basic science within functional materials and nanoscience, with applications within energy, life science, environment and ICT.

The successful candidate is expected to work as part of a broader team in SMN and the Department of Chemistry, and together with other fellows in the HYDROGENi project.

PhD – Magnetocaloric materials for liquefying H2

The main goal of this PhD project is to develop and investigate magnetocaloric materials that have potential to be used during cooling and liquefaction of hydrogen. Such materials are typically undergoing a coupled magnetic and structural phase transition.

The compounds will be successfully synthesized using techniques such as arc melting, mechanochemistry, solid-state methods and potentially also spark plasma sintering (SPS). Characterization methods of high relevance are powder (synchrotron) X-ray and neutron diffraction and physical property measurements (PPMS).

This PhD candidate will be affiliated with the research group for Nanostructures and Functional Materials (NAFUMA) at UiO and with the Department for Hydrogen Technology at the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE).

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.

• Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in solid state or inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry or materials science
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Knowledge and experience in synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of inorganic materials
• Experience and skills related to collaboration with other fields is valued

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

The research area for the position can include technologies referred to in the Ministry's export control regulations, and the candidate must be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

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.

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

• We are seeking a candidate who is communicative, quality minded, flexible, eager to learn, motivated, and self-driven
• Ability to conduct high-quality independent research
• Interpersonal communication skills and strong teamwork ability
• Willingness to collaborate with PhD and/or Master/Bachelor students in a specialty field
• Self-motivation, creativity, genuine curiosity concerning the field of study, work discipline, professional ethics, and ambition

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, a clear indication of which of the positions you apply for and/or prioritise, and a clear statement of to which extent you fulfil the requirements
• 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 if required
• 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.

Depending on the Department's needs, the appointment can be extended up to 4 years with a compulsory workload of 25% that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and research assistance.

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, please contact:

• Prof. Anja Olafsen Sjåstad, phone: +47 228 55848, e-mail: a.o.sjastad@kjemi.uio.no
• Prof. Helmer Fjellvåg, phone +47 228 55564, e-mail: helmer.fjellvag@kjemi.uio.no

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system JobbNorge, please contact:

• HR Advisor Olga Holmlund, e-post: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no

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