Postdoctoral fellow in physical chemistry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow in physical chemistry, who will participate in ongoing research in the field of solution chemistry related to thin polymer films for organic solar cells. The postdoctoral position is part of a project with external research grants from the Swedish National Space Agency.

The Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences, with approximately 60 employees, is a part of the Faculty of Health, Science, and Engineering. The department consists of four subjects: building technology, chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental and energy systems. The chemistry subject's research is conducted in the areas of analytical chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and chemistry education. The physical-chemical research takes place in close collaboration with researchers in material physics.
Researchers in physical chemistry are active in the research funded by Knut and Alice Wallenberg's foundation within the SOLA project (https://www.kau.se/sola), which has recently ended. The physico-chemical research has long-term research grants from the Swedish National Space Agency and participates in parabolic flights, arranged by the European Space Agency (ESA). In 2023 and 2024, we will also participate in drop tower experiments and sounding rocket experiments, also those arranged by ESA.

We are now looking for a postdoctoral fellow for a fixed-term position for two years. Since employment as a postdoctoral fellow is a qualifying position for junior researchers, we are targeting you who have a doctoral degree that is no older than three years from the application deadline.

Job duties

The main tasks are research within the Swish National Space Agency's externally funded project "Liquid film coating and drying under sounding rocket microgravity conditions in systems relevant for organic solar cells" and sub-projects linked to this project. The tasks include solubility determination, production of thin films using different deposition methods, characterization of thin films using methods in microscopy and spectroscopy, application work for external funds, and development work with a focus on drop tower experiments and sounding rocket experiments. In addition to planning and carrying out experiments, the tasks include analysis, reporting, and communication of research results. Collaboration within the materials physics joint research group and with partners is an important part of the duties, as well as writing scientific articles and active participation in conferences. In addition to this, other tasks, and modelling of solutions during drying may be included. Within the framework of employment, own projects should also be developed.

To contribute to a good working environment and development of the business, you are on site and participate in the daily work and the community.

Eligibility requirements

For employment, it is required that you have a PhD in physical chemistry or the equivalent in a field relevant to the employment. The doctoral degree must be issued before a decision on employment is made and no more than three years before the end of the application period. Older degrees can be considered when there are special reasons, for example documented parental leave.

Since you will be working in an international environment, good knowledge of English is required. It also requires well-documented knowledge, skill, and experience, for example through scientific publications, in solution chemistry, atomic force microscopy, absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, and in the field of organic solar cells.

Assessment criteria

Special weight is given to experience of work under microgravity conditions, scientific publications, both in number and in relevance to the research area, as well as graduate-level courses in the physical chemistry of polymers and chemical thermodynamics.

Considerable weight is given to experience with concentration gradient modelling through drying. Considerable weight is also given to personal qualities such as good cooperation, good judgement, responsibility, commitment, and a positive attitude towards colleagues.

Weight is given to experience of education or work/visits at research level at a university other than the university that issued your doctorate, as well as international research stays. Importance is also attached to active participation and presentations at international conferences.

For other eligibility requirements and assessment criteria, see Karlstad University's Employment Regulations: Microsoft Word - 19_22 Bilaga Anstallningsordningen.docx (kau.se).

Terms

The employment is fixed term for two years and full time. Access date is 1 October 2023. Extension may be relevant in exceptional cases. The position is based in Karlstad with requirements for daily attendance at Karlstad University.

Other

Karlstad University values the qualities that gender balance and diversity bring to the organisation. We therefore welcome applicants of all genders and with different birth backgrounds, functionalities and life experiences.

Application

Submit the application via the university’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi.
Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• CV
• list of publications (in case of joint publications, your contribution must be stated)
• personal letter
• documented description of qualifications in relation to the content of the employment
• copies of relevant grades, certificates, and diplomas
• copy of doctoral thesis and the three most relevant publications for the position
• statement of language skills
• two references, where one is from a former or current manager and the other from a supervisor or scientific colleague.

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 to:

Karlstads universitet
HR avdelningen, Isa Ed
651 88 Karlstad
Sweden

State the ref.no: REK2023/124

Application deadline: 30 june 2023

We look forward to your application!

This translation carries no legal weight.

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