PhD student position

PhD student position in synchrotron-based studies of electrocatalyst surfaces

Identifying and developing more abundant electrocatalyst materials is key to a sustainable society. In this project you will prepare your own electrocatalyst samples tailored at the nanoscale using state-of-the-art preparation and characterization techniques at Chalmers. Using cutting-edge synchrotron facilities such as MAX IV, Petra III and the ESRF you will investigate the atomic-scale properties of your catalyst samples and correlate them to their catalytic efficiency with the aim to identify improved catalyst materials. As member of the Hejral group funded by WISE, you will work in a large and interdisciplinary national and international network.

Project description
Renewable energy systems such as solar and wind power are at the centre of the transition to less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy systems. To compensate for their downtimes in energy production, the possibility to store energy in form of molecules such as hydrogen, needs to be developed. Electrocatalytic water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen (Oxygen Evolution Reaction, OER) using solar and wind power constitutes such a sustainable pathway. However, novel electrocatalyst materials of improved activity need to be found to replace the costly and rare noble metal catalysts currently used.
Abundant transition metals and their alloys have been found to be promising candidates for OER catalysts. In this project you will prepare your own OER catalyst samples tailored at the nanoscale using state-of-the-art preparation and characterization techniques. Using cutting-edge synchrotron facilities such as MAX IV, Petra III and ESRF you will study the atomic-scale properties of your catalyst samples and correlate them to their catalytic efficiency to identify improved catalyst materials. You will work in a large and interdisciplinary national and international network.

More information on the position can be found here.

Information about the division and the department
The Division of Chemical Physics at the Department of Physics focuses on the investigation of functional nanomaterials, where most projects are connected to the development of improved sustainable materials for energy storage, fuel cells, fuel production, the purification of aqueous solutions and photovoltaics.

The Hejral group at the Division of Chemical Physics is at the forefront of synchrotron-based operando investigations of defined model catalyst surfaces for energy conversion, both in thermal  and electro catalysis.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Major responsibilities
The project includes ultra-high vacuum based preparation of nanoparticle model catalysts and characterization of their properties using synchrotron-based methods. You will set up lab equipment and develop operando cells for the model catalyst investigation at synchrotron beamlines.

You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 percent of working hours.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of a PhD student, you must hold a MSc level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or equivalent. You are expected to be willing to work in a team and you are required to have excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.

The following qualifications are considered a merit:
(1) Experience in experimental electrochemistry
(2) Experience with (synchrotron-based) operando experiments
(3) Experience with ultra-vacuum-based sample preparation and techniques
(4) Scripting in python or equivalent languages for data analysis

Swedish is not a requirement but Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure


To apply, please click here to go to the Chalmers website.

Application deadline: November 12, 2023

For questions, please contact:
Uta Hejral
Assistant Professor 
Email: uta.hejral@chalmers.se 

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***