WISE Postdoctoral position in Solid State Physics with focus on magnetocaloric materials

Published: 2023-02-28

Full-time temporary position for two years with starting date as soon as possible or as agreed upon

The division of Solid State Physics is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Ångström Laboratory. The research is related to energy and environmental issues as well as to life science applications in our various research areas. Preferably, we investigate the physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials and thin films that can be utilized in applications as smart windows, solar cells, gas sensors, spin electronics and catalytic and photocatalytic coatings to create new applications in green energy technology. Magnetic materials for green energy technology are another important research field within the division.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). 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. Read more: https://wise-materials.org.

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School https://wise-materials.org/research/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.

Project description
The focus of the project is magnetocaloric materials that can be used for magnetic cooling. Here, mainly materials with coupled phase transitions will be studied, materials that exhibit both a magnetic phase transition and a structural or elastic phase transition. If both phase transitions occur within a narrow temperature range, the materials exhibit a so-called giant magnetocaloric effect. The project will focus on detailed information that can be obtained by techniques available at large scale experimental infrastructure. To obtain such detailed information one should combine site specific information gained from neutron diffraction measurements and element specific information obtained from X-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements. The work in the project offers an opportunity for scientific collaborations with world-leading groups in both basic science and applied research on magnetic materials.

Work duties
The duties mainly involve planning of and carrying out experimental studies using magnetic neutron diffraction and X-ray magnetic-circular-dichroism measurements on magnetocaloric materials with coupled phase transitions. An important duty in the project is to apply for beam time at large-scale research infrastructure facilities in order to carry out these studies. The work involves close collaboration with researchers at the departments of materials science and engineering, chemistry-Ångström and physics and astronomy at Uppsala university. The duties also include publishing scientific articles. Supervision of students in projects related to the research area may be part of the duties, as well as participation in other forms of teaching.

Qualification requirements
For employment on a postdoctoral position you shall have a PhD degree  or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

For this position, a PhD in materials science, materials chemistry or physics or equivalent is required. We require good knowledge and documented experience from measurements at large-scale neutron and synchrotron X-ray scattering facilities.

Additional qualifications
Experience from experimental studies on magnetic materials in general and magnetocaloric materials in particular will be considered as a merit.

We require good skills in independent work, to be able to lead and execute subprojects, to have good ability for collaboration with other researchers and a structured way of working.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement.  Scope of employment 100%. Starting date as soon as possible or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

Instructions for application:
Your application must contain

• An introductory letter describing you, your understanding of the task, and motivating why you are appropriate for this position. (Max 2 pages)
• CV (max 2 pages)
• Copy of your PhD exam
• A list of publications
• Copies of your three most relevant publications or manuscripts
• Names and contact details (address, e-mail address and telephone number) of at least two reference persons.

The application can be written in English or Swedish.

For further information about the position please contact: Prof Peter Svedlindh (peter.svedlindh@angstrom.uu.se) 

Information about the Solid State Physics Division is available at: https://materialvetenskap.uu.se/research/solid-state-physics+/

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

Please submit your application by 28 March 2023, UFV-PA 2023/530

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