PhD Research Fellow in Materials Science

About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Materials Science available at Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), Department of Physics, University of Oslo.

The fellowship period is 3 years. 

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

Starting date no later than October 1, 2025

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Jobb description

We are looking for a PhD Research Fellow who is genuinely interested in researching, discovering, exploring, and developing novel functional materials with potential applications in photovoltaics or photoelectrocatalysis. 

The fellowship is part of the SOLARIS Initiative, one of five world-leading research communities at the University of Oslo. It encourages interdisciplinary activities and research collaborations within the University of Oslo and on a national and international level in the field of solar energy conversion. SOLARIS is directly affiliated with the Centre of Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN). SMN is comprised of five research groups that prioritize cross-disciplinary research. The centre boasts an impressive research infrastructure, encompassing atomistic simulations, chemical, structural, optical, and electrical characterization methods, as well as device fabrication. Its infrastructure includes the Micro- and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MiNaLab) with a clean room area exceeding 400 m², along with a range of cutting-edge characterization facilities.

One aspect of the SOLARIS Initiative and this position is the discovery of novel materials through combinatorial materials science and the optimization of their physical properties for solar energy conversion applications. In particular, material libraries of ternary and quaternary thin films are to be deposited by means of combinatorial pulsed laser ablation on large-area substrates and then spatially resolved with respect to their chemical composition, structural and optical properties. For promising compositions, further investigations of the electrical transport properties and their optimization for device properties by doping will be conducted. For these layers, demonstrator photovoltaic (PV) or photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) cells will be fabricated in collaboration with other members of the SOLARIS Initiative and evaluated with regard to their respective photovoltaic or photoelectrocatalytic performance. In the context of exploratory work, the focus is on transition metal sesquioxides, including Fe2O3 and related alloys. This creates further opportunities for collaboration with FME Solar, of which SMN is a constituent part. The doctoral research project can be adapted to align with the qualifications and academic interests of the most qualified candidates, including the option of integrating other functional materials and experimental techniques.   

The project is highly interdisciplinary, encompassing semiconductors physics, electrochemistry, and catalysis. Its objective is to generate fundamental knowledge for the rational design of efficient PV and PEC materials.
We are seeking a team player with excellent communication skills and the ability to assertively contribute to the team, who is interested in working in a highly motivated group of national and international researchers. Moreover, the PhD Research Fellow is expected to collaborate with and provide guidance to Master's students, as well as to prepare scientific manuscripts and presentations for national and international conferences.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in materials physics/chemistry or materials science

• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system

  Candidates without a master’s degree have until 30 June 2025 to complete the final exam.

• Experience with thin film deposition techniques such as pulsed laser depo-sition (PLD) and magnetron sputtering
• Experience with materials characterization by, e.g., X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-VIS spectroscopy, and electrical characterization techniques such as van der Pauw method, current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the National security regulation.

Desired qualifications

• Strong data analysis skills, e.g., using Python, Juypiter or Matlab
• Enthusiasm for and communication of science as required for oral and poster presentations 
• Able to work independently and actively contribute in the cross-disciplinary team    

Grade requirements

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

Language requirements

• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/EEA/EFTA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:

 Doctoral degree: PhD at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences - The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Personal skills

• Self-motivation, creativity, genuine curiosity about the subject, work discipline, professional ethics and ambition
• Good social, communication and collaboration skills and ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary scientific environment as part of a team

We offer

• Salary NOK 536 200 – 575 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position. 

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here.

How to apply

Your application should include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records
• Letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee 
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
   

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. 

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian),  Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:
Professor Holger Von Wenckstern, e-mail: h.von.wenckstern@fys.uio.no

For questions regarding recruitment system Jobbnorge, please contact:
HR advisor Olga Holmlund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no