Associate senior Lecturer in Physics with focus on experimental materials physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description 

The Faculty for Health, Science and Engineering at Karlstad University is announcing a position as associate senior lecturer in Physics, materials physics, with a focus on novel materials for solar cell applications, placed at the Department of Engineering and Physics. The department has extensive activities in the areas of physics, electrical engineering, and mechanical and materials engineering, which includes both research and teaching. At present, the department has about 60 employees.

The physics discipline has a strong research profile in the field of materials for solar energy applications. The research group, where the postdoctoral researcher will be active, focuses on molecular and new materials for photovoltaics and has a broad international network of collaborations. The research laboratories are well equipped with modern facilities for the production and testing of solar cells and various instruments for characterization of structure, composition, electronic structure and optical properties of materials. In addition, the research team also uses X-ray based methods at synchrotron laboratories.

An appointment as an associate senior lecturer is aiming to attract ambitious and qualified early-career researchers in the field, and is mainly focused on the acquisition of qualifications.

Duties

The main duties consist of research in materials physics with a focus on experimental studies of novel materials for photovoltaics, e.g. perovskites, organic molecules and polymers. The applicant is expected to contribute to ongoing research projects on new solar cell materials. The tasks involve contributing to the development of the department by conducting high-quality research and strengthening its international network. The candidate is expected to attract research grants from national and international funders and / or industry. The employment includes at least 75% of full-time for research.

The duties also include teaching at undergraduate and graduate levels. Duties in teaching can, for an associate senior lecturer, amount to a maximum of 25 % of full time. The teaching is primarily in the physics discipline and can involve experimental tasks. Duties may also include administrative tasks and assignments within the university. You are also expected to contribute to the department’s development in research and education.

You collaborate with the surrounding society for mutual exchange and work to make the knowledge and skills available at the university relevant for society.

By your presence and active participation in the day-to-day activities at the workplace you are expected to contribute to a positive work environment and operational development.

During the period of employment, an associate senior lecturer is supposed to develop their independence as a researcher and acquire further qualifications in terms of both research and teaching skills to meet the criteria for a position as senior lecturer.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position of associate senior lecturer, applicants are required to have a PhD in physics or equivalent scientific research qualifications, with focus on experimental materials physics. The position is primarily intended for applicants who have completed their PhD no longer than five years before the application deadline, or who have acquired corresponding competence in that time. If an applicant completed the PhD or corresponding competence more than five years ago, this requirement may be waived if there are special circumstances.

A requirement for the position is a completed course  in higher education pedagogy. In special circumstances, this course may be completed within two years of employment as part of the professional development commitment. Alternatively, the new associate senior lecturer may apply for validation of corresponding knowledge.

Excellent skills in English, oral and written, are required. The position normally also requires proficiency in Swedish. A candidate who does not meet this requirement may still be hired provided he/she is able to actively acquire language skills in Swedish.

Assessment criteria

The assessment will evaluate the range and depth of an applicant’s academic competence, the scope of the research, and quantity and quality of the academic output, and the ability and motivation to develop an academic career with the potential to contribute to the future development of both research and education.

Special weight is given to:

• Documented experience in experimental studies of novel solar cell materials, e.g. organic molecules, polymers or halide perovskite materials.
• Documented teaching and pedagogical skills in education at undergraduate and/or graduate levels, documented skills in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of courses at undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
• High quality academic output, publications in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals, experience in participation at conferences and symposia.
• The applicant’s ability to add new competence and experience to the research group in materials physics focused on novel photovoltaic materials, and the materials physics group.

Considerable weight is given to:

• International experience of research through work as a postdoctoral fellow or international stays.
• Experience in microscopy and spectroscopy methods, such as scanning probe microscopy (AFM, STM) and X-ray spectroscopy including synchrotron based methods (XPS, NEXAFS).
• Documented ability to successfully formulate research projects, and apply for, and attract external research funding, experience of research projects in cooperation between academy and industry.
• Personal qualities, such as the ability to cooperate, taking initiatives, result-oriented, responsibility, dedication, and a positive attitude towards colleagues and students.

Weight is given to

• Experience of commissions of trust within the academy.
• Up-to-date experience of collaboration with the surrounding society, including research projects in cooperation between academy and industry, and research and development communication outside the academy.
• Ability to teach in the Swedish language.

Further information on all eligibility requirements and assessment criteria are provided in the Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 4, Section 12 and Karlstad University’s appointment regulations.

Terms

The position is a full-time, fixed term employment for 4 years, with preliminary starting date 1st of September 2022 or by agreement.

Terms for promotion to Senior Lecturer

Upon applying, an associate senior lecturer should be promoted to Senior Lecturer provided he or she is qualified for the position (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 4, Sect. 4) and is deemed suitable following an assessment (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 4, Sect. 4a). The applicant must have completed a prerequisite course in higher education pedagogy.

For eligibility requirements and assessment criteria, refer to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, and Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure. 

The appointment as a Senior Lecturer will be a non-fixed term employment.

Further information

Karlstad University places great value on the enriching presence of diverse backgrounds and gender balance in the organisation. We welcome applicants with different cultural backgrounds, gender identities, functional abilities, and life experiences.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. For advice on how to draft your application, refer to “Application Guidelines for the appointment/promotion of professor or senior lecturer”.

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted no later than the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications. The application and attached copies etc. must be in Swedish, English or Norwegian.

The application should include:

• CV
• Cover letter
• An in-depth account of research experience
• An in-depth account of teaching experience
• Certificate to verify a completed course in higher education pedagogy or an account of equivalent skills
• An account of other experiences
• Managerial, collaborative, and administrative experience
• Plans for future work
• List of publications (in multi-authored publications, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• Information about language skills
• Copies of course transcripts, degree certificates, and other certificates.
• No more than 10 scientific publications and no more than 5 materials intended to convey knowledge, such as textbooks, computer programs for teaching, or popular science articles.
• Two references, at least one of which should be from a current or previous supervisor.

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically, such as books or publications, should be sent in triplicate to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
HR-avdelningen / Josefin Rönnqvist
651 88 KARLSTAD
Sweden 

Application deadline: 10 April, 2022           

State the reference no: REK2022/47

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies