Job description

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.

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.

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

Start date: September 1, 2023 or after agreement with SMN.

More about the position

We are looking for one PhD research fellow with qualifications and interest in materials science related to technologies for the production, storage, and use of hydrogen and ammonia.

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. The Centre is coordinated by SINTEF, with the University of Oslo (UiO) as one of the partners. The PhD fellowship is affiliated with SMN and the Department of Chemistry in 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 team in SMN and the Department of Chemistry, and together with other fellows in the HYDROGENi project.

The overall aim for this PhD position is to improve H-storage capacity and performance of high entropy alloys. These alloys contain a large number of different elements and will be produced by means of arc melting, mechano-chemistry and, potentially, spark plasma sintering (SPS). Such alloys are promising candidate materials for the storage of hydrogen for various technological applications.

The progress of the work will rely on deep understanding based on advanced characterization and feedback into improved materials synthesis. Characterization methods of high relevance are powder X-ray and neutron diffraction as well as Pressure-Composition-Temperature (PCT) analysis.

The PhD candidate will chiefly be affiliated with the research group for Nanostructures and Functional Materials (NAFUMA) at UiO and 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 the fellowship will be selected in accordance with this, and are 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, solid-state electrochemistry, materials chemistry or materials science, with knowledge and experience in synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of inorganic materials
• Experience and skills related to collaboration with other fields is valued.

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 license.

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

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

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.

Information about English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements can be found here.

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

• 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 are seeking a candidate who is communicative, quality minded, flexible, eager to learn, motivated, and self-driven.

We offer

• Salary of NOK 532 200 – 575 400 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, 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).

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.

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 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 please contact:

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

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