Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Materials Physics for Solar Energy Applications

Job description

A position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow in materials physics for solar energy applications is available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), within the LENS (Light and electricity from novel Semiconductors) group.

Preferred starting date August 15, 2023.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is for a period of three years.

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

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

More about the position

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with a genuine interest in materials physics and solar energy applications. You must be a team player with the ability to work well independently and in interdisciplinary scientific teams.

The overall aim of this fellowship is to utilise and develop non-standard approaches in photoelectron spectroscopy to improve our understanding of material properties and electronic properties relevant to solar energy harvesting. For example, carrying out depth-dependent XPS and other characterisation methods to enable high quality new materials to be developed, and carrying out photoemission measurements to allow band-bending, interface band alignment, doping, etc to be determined. This will involve in-depth photoemission studies including concomitant methods development (such as advanced data handling and instrument modification).

The fellowship is part of the SOLARIS interdisciplinary flagship project, which addresses fundamental material science on solar energy materials and solar energy harvesting with an application-oriented focus. Specifically, to investigate photovoltaics and solar fuel production by photo- or PV-driven electrocatalysis for which novel functional compounds must be discovered by combinatorial material science.

The project combines thin film deposition and physical and chemical property mapping. The overall objective of SOLARIS is to significantly advance the field of solar energy materials science and by promoting the shift towards green economy in long-term perspective.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will play a key role in the project and take responsibility for the advanced photoemission characterisation, including sample preparation, measurements, analysis, modelling, etc.

Ideally the fellow should be interested in all aspects of the SOLARIS initiative and maintain a basic understanding of the whole project.

You will be part of our semiconductor physics group LENS (Light and electricity from novel Semiconductors) with around 30 highly dedicated professors, researchers, postdocs, PhD fellow researchers, engineers, admin and master students.

The infrastructure used in this work includes the UiO Micro- and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MiNaLab), which has a clean room area of 440 m2 with a multitude of modern deposition and characterization instruments.

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 this 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 degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in physics, nanotechnology, or a closely allied subject. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Background in condensed matter physics
• Applicants must be willing to travel internationally to research facilities as required

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 relevant experimental methods (Ultra-high vacuum, XPS, UPS, PEEM, ARPES, photoemission in general, synchrotron methods in general — or other relevant techniques)
• with relevant analysis and numerical methods
• with practical maintenance or upgrading of equipment

Personal skills

We are seeking someone who:

• is able to work independently in a structured manner
• is an active an cooperative teamwork participant
• has strong enthusiasm for science

We offer

• Salary NOK 544 400 – 626 300,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• 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, summarizing scientific work and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works 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).

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented, academic qualifications, the project description (whenever this is required in the call for applicants), and the quality of the project as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability. Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months ( thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years).

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 a.o.

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 about the position and recruitment process please contact:

• Professor Justin William Wells, e-mail: j.w.wells@fys.uio.no

For technical questions regarding our recruitment system Jobbnorge, plese contact

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

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