Karlstad University / Department of Engineering and Physics

Sapere Aude—dare to be wise—is our motto. Our students and employees develop knowledge and expertise that enrich both people and the world around them. Our academic environment is characterised by curiosity, courage and perseverance. Gender equality, diversity and a democratic approach form the foundation of our organisation. We are located in an active and scenic region and we promote sustainable development in close collaboration with the wider society.
 
Karlstad University has a total of approximately 1,400 employees and 17,300 students spread across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika.
 
More information at: kau.se/en/work-with-us

Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology invites applications for a doctoral studentship in Physics with specialisation Materials Physics at the Department of Engineering and Physics. More specifically, we are looking for a PhD student in the field of photovoltaic materials, to participate in the research project "Self-healing Photovoltaic Perovskite Materials and Devices", which aims to maximize the lifetime of halide perovskite solar cells by using the material's properties to recover from degradation. The project is funded by a Lise Meitner research grant for bilateral cooperation between Sweden and Israel from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research.

Research in Materials Physics is part of the strategic area of Materials Science Research at Karlstad University. Current focus areas in materials physics include surface structures, nanomaterials and solar cell materials. The research group you will be part of has focused its research on organic and perovskite materials for photovoltaics with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of the relationships between fabrication, morphology, performance and stability. In the research group, material physicists, computational physicists and physical chemists collaborate. The research group has received project grants from several funding bodies, such as the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Energy Agency, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

Duties

A doctoral student is mainly expected to engage in doctoral studies. The doctoral programme consists of 240 higher education credits, including the doctoral thesis, and 120 higher education credits for a degree of licentiate. A doctoral student works independently and is prepared to contribute to the subject’s and department’s activities in teaching and administration. Such duties may not constitute more than 20% of full-time. To contribute to a positive work environment and the department’s activities, the doctoral student will be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

The main research tasks of the PhD student are to participate in the above-mentioned research project, which includes experimental work, analysis of results and development of characterization methods, as well as reporting results. The doctoral student is expected to participate in the writing of publications and to present their results at international research conferences as well as at activities for the surrounding society. The position involves close collaboration with other staff members and the international partners in the research project.

Research equipment available at Karlstad University includes absorption, fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS, UPS), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and scanning probe microscopy (AFM, C-AFM, and AFM-IR). Fabrication and characterization of solar cell performance and stability will be performed in the well-equipped solar cell laboratory.

The need for experimental work means that presence at the workplace is necessary to the extent required by the duties and activities. Periods of experimental work at synchrotron facilities in Sweden (MAX IV) and abroad may occur a few times per year.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have been awarded a second-cycle qualification (a Degree of Master), satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were at master’s level, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 39).

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in Physics, the applicant must have a Master’s degree with a Major in physics with a specialisation in a relevant area. Also eligible is a person who has a Master’s degree with a different Major, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are in an area relevant to doctoral studies in Physics, such as a Master of Science degree in Engineering or in Teacher Education.

Admission and assessment criteria

  • To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must be considered to have the ability required to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.
  • The assessment will focus on the applicant's performance in from previous studies, the topic of specialisation of the applicant’s studies, the topic and quality of any independent projects completed during these studies, language skills in English, oral and written communication skills, and whether the applicant intends to be a present and an active part of the research environment.
  • Considerable weight will be given to personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate, sound judgement, taking responsibility, commitment and a positive attitude towards colleagues and students.
  • The applicant's readiness to travel to the project's partners and participate in research stays of up to one month is also assessed with considerable weight.
  • Previous experience in scanning probe microscopy and in solution-based sample preparation methods is an advantage.
  • International experience is also considered an advantage.

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position comprises four years of full-time studies, or five years of 80% studies and 20% teaching or other departmental duties. The position is fixed-term — one year initially, followed by possible extensions of a maximum of two years at a time. Start date as negotiated.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students at Karlstad University.

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:

- a cover letter where the applicants briefly describe who they are and the reasons behind their interest in the position,

- a list of qualifications (CV),

- degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates,

- copy of the master’s thesis or equivalent,

- where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications

- any letters of recommendation.

- two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or previous or current superior.

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 should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet

Elisabeth Wessling

651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 13-08-2023

State the ref.no: REK 2023/27

We look forward to your application!

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Månadslön
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Karlstad
County Värmlands län
Country Sweden
Reference number REK2023/167
Contact
  • Ellen Moons, +46547001903
  • Lars Johansson, +46547001677
Union representative
  • Denita Gustavsson, OFR, 054-7001434
  • Thomas Bragefors, SACO, 054-7001714
Published 10.Jul.2023
Last application date 13.Aug.2023 11:59 PM CEST

Return to job vacancies