Researcher in Computational Chemistry

About the position

Applicants are invited for a two-year position as Researcher in Computational Chemistry at the Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo. The project will be led by Hylleraas Centre PI Abril Castro and will contribute to the Centre’s Research Theme 5.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research environment dedicated to applying computational methods to understand chemical reactions in collaboration with experimental groups. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research bridging theoretical and experimental chemistry.

Project description

The selected candidate will engage in cutting-edge research focused on the simulation of spectroscopic properties to unravel the geometry and electronic structure of complex systems. Key areas of research include electronic spectra simulations (XPS, UV-Vis, and XANES) and magnetic-resonance spectra simulations (NMR, pNMR, and EPR). The research will primarily focus on solid nano-porous materials, including metal-organic frameworks and zeolites, with significant potential applications. The candidate will benefit from a strong network of collaborations with experimental research groups to support the interpretation and validation of computational results.

Additionally, the research fellow will participate in all research and professional development activities of the National Centre of Excellence – Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Sciences. The Hylleraas Centre is a joint effort between the University of Oslo and the UiT – The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, devoted to developing and applying computational methods to understand, interpret, and predict new chemistry, physics, and biology of molecules in complex and extreme environments.

Qualifications requirements

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Chemistry or related field with a focus on Computational Chemistry. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Appointment is dependent on the public defence of the doctoral thesis being approved
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Demonstrated experience in computational chemistry and electronic structure methods
• Proven expertise in the simulation of solid nano-porous materials, including MOFs and/or zeolites 
• Experience in simulating electronic spectra (XPS or XANES)

Desired qualifications:

• Proficiency in programming and scripting languages will be considered an advantage
• Strong ability to work independently and effectively within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team

Personal skills

• Ability to conduct high-quality independent research within a broad collaboration 
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness to work together with PhD and/or Master/Bachelor students in speciality field
• Self-motivation, creativity, genuine curiosity about the subject, work discipline, professional ethics, and ambition 

We can offer you

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working environment. A pleasant and stimulating work environment at the Hylleraas Centre.
• Collaboration with leading researchers in the field
• Access to state-of-the-art computational resources
• Opportunities for professional development, including international research stays
• Good welfare schemes.
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours.
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities. 
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Researcher, position code 1109, in salary range NOK from 579 700 to 665 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund.

Read more about the benefits of working in the public sector at Employer Portal.

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. 

Application

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone 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.

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on the documented academic qualifications, as well as the candidates motivation and personal suitability.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment

General information

The best qualified candidates will 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) and Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO.

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