PhD Candidate in organic synthesis for photoelectrochemical applications

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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

   

About the job

The Department of Chemistry at NTNU has a vacancy for a PhD position in organic chemistry, focusing on synthetic photoelectrochemistry. Organic chemistry is essential for developing specialized molecules that are desperately needed to solve important global challenges. Photoelectrochemistry, which combines photochemistry and electrochemistry, enables redox processes beyond the capabilities of the individual methods. This synthetic power can then be utilized in new chemical transformations towards desirable compounds for a range of end applications.

Funded by NTNU, the position will primarily involve the synthesis, analysis, and characterization of organic compounds for photoelectrochemical applications, as well as developing and maintaining setups for testing catalyst molecules. The position has a duration of three years with the possibility of extending to a fourth year if teaching and supervision duties align with departmental needs. The candidate will be part of the Organic Energy Materials Research Group at the Department of Chemistry. The candidate's main supervisor will be Associate Professor Audun Formo Buene, and the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree. The successful candidate will report to the Head of the Department of Chemistry.

The tentative start date for this position is August 2025, with potential adjustments for an earlier or later commencement depending on situational requirements.

Duties of the position

• Plan, execute and document the synthesis of organic molecules.
• Evaluate the molecular performance in relevant applications.
• Develop and maintain infrastructure for photoelectrochemical applications, such as photoreactors, electrochemical workstations or solar simulators.
• Actively participate and present research results in group meetings and discussions
• Participate in the supervision of master’s students and the day-to-day running of the laboratory.
• Write peer-reviewed academic papers and submit them to international scientific journals.

Required selection criteria

• You must have a professionally relevant background in organic chemistry.
• Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level.
• A master’s degree within experimental organic chemistry.
• A strong academic record with a weighted average grade of master’s or equivalent education with a grade of B or higher, in accordance with NTNU’s grading system.
• Master’s students are encouraged to apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented by the starting date of the position.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty of natural sciences' doctoral program (https://www.ntnu.edu/nv/phd)
• Proficiency in oral and written English. In the case of equal qualifications, applicants with a Scandinavian language might be preferred due to teaching duties.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 

Preferred selection criteria

• Excellent competence and background in experimental organic chemistry
• Experience with photo- and or electrochemistry.
• The candidate will be encouraged to explore their own ideas and research questions related to the overall goals of the PhD project. Therefore, proactive problem-solving skills will be highly valued.
• Scandinavian language

Personal characteristics

• Acquire new knowledge quickly, as well as using existing knowledge in new ways
• Develop effective, sensible and practical solutions to problems
• Stays positive and enthusiastic, even when encountering set-backs 
• Initiates activities and projects without needing support from others
• You are collaborative, helpful and will contribute to maintain a kind working-environment.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years with a possible extension of 1 year for teaching duties.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in chemistry (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phkj) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

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The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must be attached to the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include: 

• CV and certificates
• transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Name and contact information of three referees
• A publication list (if you have publications or other relevant research work) with description of the applicant's role.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality. 

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The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

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As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate professor Audun Formo Buene, telephone +47 95932068, email audun.f.buene@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-consultant Marie Kristiansen, e-mail: marie.kristiansen@ntnu.no

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 01.01.2025