Job description

A Position as PhD Research Fellow in Solid-state electrochemistry is available at 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 PhD position is a part of HYDROGENi, a national Norwegian Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) dedicated to the research and innovations within hydrogen and ammonia that are 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 candidate will be affiliated with the research group for Electrochemistry at UiO, located in Oslo Science Park, which consists of around 30 highly dedicated professors, researchers, postdocs, PhD fellows, engineers, admin and master students.

The group is world-leading in solid-state electrochemistry and the materials science of proton-conducting oxides for electrochemical energy conversion technologies such as proton ceramic fuel cells and electrolysers. These technologies are central in the transition to renewable energy and in the electrification of industrial processes.

The PhD Research Fellow will broadly address the topic of mixed ionic/electronic conducting oxygen/steam electrodes and the properties of the electrochemical interface to the proton-conducting electrolyte.

The goal of the PhD project will be to seek strategies for optimization of performance by interface engineering as well as compositional and microstructural optimization of the electrodes.

The content of the PhD fellowship can be tailored according to the qualifications and academic interest of top candidates including the possibility for combining experimental, simulation and theoretical methods.

The PhD Research Fellow will work in an innovative environment with the possibility for collaboration with a range of academic and development projects on related topics, in particular with CoorsTek Membrane Sciences AS, a leading technology developer of proton ceramic electrochemical cells and partner in HYDROGENi. The Electrochemistry group is part of SMN, which is an interdisciplinary research centre in materials science and nanotechnology at UiO.

The Centre is an international leader in basic science within functional materials and nanoscience, with applications within energy, life science, environment and ICT.

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 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

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

It is desirable that applicants have knowledge and experience in:

• Synthesis
• Fabrication and characterization of electrochemical cells (e.g., solid oxide fuel cells) or materials therein
• Modelling of electrochemical systems using, e.g., finite element methods

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:

• 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
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language is required for a 4-year fellowship including teaching duties

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

• 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
• 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.Porf. Jonathan Polfus, phone: +47 22840683, e-mail: jonathan.polfus@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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