University of 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.

Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) is an interdisciplinary focus field for material and energy research at the University of Oslo. SMN has focused on basic research in renewable energy and environmentally friendly use of fossil energy sources.

The center consists of research groups from the Department of Physics (Fi) and Chemistry (Ki), has about 100 employees from around the world and manages more than 80 projects funded by the EU, the RCN and others.

Job description

Access to clean and sufficient energy represents a large and most important challenge of this century. Research programs worldwide emphasis the need for rapid development of future energy technology. Semiconductor materials and nanostructures are recognized as decisive elements with applications in fields like photovoltaics, solid state lightening and thermoelectrics which are addressed by the top tier research group LENS at the University of Oslo where the PhD research will be conducted. There are presently many exciting research problems in the multidisciplinary cross-fertilization between fundamental and applied research which the PhD student will be exposed to. The 3 year PhD position is part of the project NEAT - “Non-parabolic Effects Applied to Thermoelectric materials” funded by the Norwegian Research Council and involving researchers from UiO, NTNU, SINTEF in Norway, as well as researchers from Austria and USA.

The PhD student will do research on transport in structures aimed at understanding and exploration of fundamental mechanisms in materials with potential application as thermoelectric materials. Materials will be synthesized by growing epitaxial films by MBE and the growth process will be studied. Strain will be introduced into the materials by lattice mismatch in order to influence the electronic band structure and the thermoelectric transport in the materials. The resulting structures will be analyzed by thermoelectric transport measurements (Seebeck-, Hall-, Nernst-, electrical- and thermal conductivity-measurements) and compared to theory developed in the project. The structural properties will be studied by TEM, and the electronic properties by ARPES and XPS.

We are seeking a highly-motivated PhD student that has proven talent for experimental research work. The research base will be the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology at UiO with access to clean-rooms and measurement labs with a multitude of equipment for sample processing and characterization in addition to infrastructure located at collaborating partners. The thermoelectric transport properties will be measured at varying temperatures. MBE will be used for synthesis and done abroad and the PhD student should spend time visiting these partner labs. The candidate will cooperate with other researchers for different characterization methods such as STM, TEM, XPS and ARPES.

More about the position

Position as PhD Research fellow available at Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) and the Department of Physics, University of Oslo (UiO).

The fellowship is for a period of 3 years. Starting date as soon as possible.

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

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. 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.

Required qualification:

• A Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification in the field of physics, materials science, nanotechnology, physical chemistry, physical electronics or electrical engineering.
  • 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
  • The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The applicant should have a strong background in semiconductor physics and materials science. A proven skill in experimental work is required. Experience with transport measurements as well as UHV techniques are preferred.

All Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate high English language skills. International applicants must document these skills prior to admission to the PhD programme by passing one of the following tests with these or better grades:

• TOEFL – Test of English as Foreign Language, internet based test (IBT). Minimum total score: 80
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum overall band score: 6.5
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum overall score: 62

Please see here for exemptions to the English requirements:

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/application.html

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD program 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/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

We offer

• salary NOK 449 400 – 505 800 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
• attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone 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.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.

In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity.

Contact information

• Professor Terje G. Finstad, phone: +47 228 52 855, e-mail: Terje.finstad@fys.uio.no
• For technical questions regarding the recruitment systen, please contact HR-officer Nina Holtan, phone: +47 228 54 424, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no

Hjemmeside: University of Oslo

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