Job description
Universitetet i Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.
The Department of Chemistry is Norway's largest institution within research and education in chemistry. Our research excels internationally and we educate students to a wide variety of jobs in industry, academia, research institutions, schools and public administration. Our research ranges from the core topics of chemistry to applied science within in environmental, health, energy and materials.
The Department has extensive contacts with industry, research and educational institutions at home and abroad. As partner in the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology our researchers contributes to a significant interdisciplinary efforts in cooperation with the Department of Physics.
The Department of Chemistry has its own school laboratory as a great resource for teachers, public outreach and the didactics of chemistry.
A position as PhD Research Fellow in the design, synthesis and testing of metal-organic frameworks decorated with single-atom catalysts is available in the Catalysis Section as part of the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, Norway.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.
The starting date is no later than October 1, 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
The position will effectively establish a new line of work in the Catalysis Section. It is aimed at the decoration of functional metal-organic frameworks with single atoms of transition metals, and their characterisation in terms of physical and chemical properties, including catalytic activity in selected reactions.
Metal-organic frameworks are porous organic-inorganic hybrid materials with tuneable topologies and chemistries, which endows them with huge potential in catalysis. They are currently investigated as catalysts for reactions such as reduction of nitrogen oxides (de-NOx), C-H activation, C-C coupling, and CO2 conversion.
The primary focus of this project is to extend the pool of catalytically active single atoms of transition metals, which can be immobilised on functionalised metal-organic frameworks. This work will eventually lead into the development of composition-property-performance relationships for selected reactions over the synthesised materials. In order to gain deep insight into material properties, the candidate will have the opportunity of accessing advanced methodologies at large-scale facilities, such as synchrotron light and neutron sources.
We are looking for an excellent candidate holding a Master's degree or equivalent in chemistry, materials science, or chemical engineering.
The candidate will perform the synthesis of functional metal-organic frameworks and their decoration with single atoms of transition metals and carry out extensive characterisation of these materials using X-ray diffraction and absorption, nuclear magnetic resonance and vibrational spectroscopy, electron microscopy, etc.
The candidate will also carry out catalytic testing of the synthesised materials to ultimately establish composition-property-performance relationships for selected reactions performed on them.
Hands-on, practical experience with either measurements of catalyst performance over porous materials or synthesis and characterisation of materials (ideally porous materials), or both, is desirable. As the catalyst performance will eventually be also assessed computationally, experience with such methods, e.g. density functional theory, is of advantage.
The fellowship is based in the Catalysis group at the Department of Chemistry and associated with the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology.
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 centre amongst the Nordic countries, as well as internationally.
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.
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.
Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2023 to complete the final exam.
In addition, the following desired qualifications will be given weight in the evaluation of candidates:
- Practical experience with measurements of gas or liquid phase reactions occurring over a solid catalyst, and the use and operation of gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, mass flow controllers, Swagelok components etc.
- Experience with materials synthesis and basic characterisation (NMR, FTIR spectroscopies, surface area measurements, X-ray diffraction, etc.)
- Experience with porous material preparation and functionalisation techniques (i.e. metal-organic frameworks)
- Familiarity with advanced catalyst characterisation (e.g. X-ray spectroscopies, electron microscopy)
- Training in computational chemistry techniques
- Programming skills
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.
Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:
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:
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 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. PLEASE NOTE: In the cover letter to your application, please specify how your background is suited to meet the challenges of the project and be specific about how your competence meets those requested. Try to answer the question: How will you contribute?
- 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:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr Petra Ágota Szilágyi, phone: +47 228557045, e-mail: p.a.szilagyi@kjemi.uio.no
For technical questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact:
- HR Adviser Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no
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