Description
The Faculty of Health, Natural and Engineering Sciences at Karlstad University and the Faculty of Science and Technology at Uppsala University are jointly announcing a place in the doctoral program in materials physics/materials chemistry, specifically in AI-driven design of polymer-based electrode materials for sustainable battery technology, with a so-called “double-degree”. The doctoral student will be admitted to doctoral education at both universities, with a doctoral degree in physics at Karlstad University and chemistry at Uppsala University.
Research in materials physics at Karlstad University ( https://www.kau.se/fysik ) includes computational studies of materials physics, surface structures, nano-materials, solar cell materials, molecular semiconductors and battery materials. The doctoral student will be part of a research environment that aims to accelerate the discovery of new and sustainable energy-relevant materials using atomic-scale modeling based on density functional theory (DFT) and artificial intelligence.
The Structural Chemistry program at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström has for many years had an activity focused on the development of materials and applications in the battery area: Ångström Advanced Battery Center. The research focuses on developing new electrode and electrolyte materials, characterizing these, improving the materials with regard to battery performance, and studying fundamental chemical properties in batteries using both experimental and theoretical methods. The research is thus both fundamental and applied.
Job duties
As a doctoral student, you will primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, i.e. conducting research and completing doctoral studies. The doctoral education consists of 240 credits (hp) for a doctoral degree and 120 credits for a licentiate degree and is an opportunity for paid studies, combined with work and the chance to start an academic career.
You will focus on increasing the understanding and applications of computational material design, material modeling and AI within the framework of a research project on “AI-driven design of polymer-based electrode materials for sustainable battery technology”. The project aims to develop innovative polymer-based electrode materials for sustainable energy solutions. Thus, atomistic modeling and simulation, data processing and integration of AI methods such as symbolic AI and artificial neural networks will be central to being able to attack the scientific problems and provide insights into new materials. The work will be carried out in close collaboration between researchers at Karlstad University, the Ångström Advanced Battery Centre at Uppsala University, and external partners in the field. This environment will provide you as a doctoral student with opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary research and participate in knowledge exchange with leading expertise in the field.
As a doctoral student, you work independently and are prepared to contribute in various ways to the work and development of the subjects and departments. Additional departmental duties, such as teaching and administration, may be added by agreement, corresponding to a maximum of 20% of full-time work.
Working as a doctoral student gives you great freedom to plan and organize your day. It requires commitment, your own drive and the ability to structure to achieve your goals. Experienced supervisors support you along the way. In order to contribute to a good work environment and development of the business, you are present and participate in the daily work and community.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the research frontier at the interface between AI, materials science and sustainable energy, which will provide a robust foundation for a future academic and professional career.
Competence
To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must meet both basic and specific eligibility requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 35).
Basic qualifications are those who:
- completed a degree at advanced level or
- have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at advanced level, or
- have acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in another way, within or outside the country.
Special qualifications are granted to those who:
- have completed an advanced level degree with a major in chemistry, physics or materials science with a specialization in a relevant field or
- have completed another degree at advanced level, with at least 60 higher education credits in a relevant field for the doctoral programme or
- have passed exams in courses in areas relevant to the specialization corresponding to at least 90 higher education credits (credits) (of which at least 60 credits at advanced level and at least 30 credits in chemistry, and of which 15 credits constitute independent work) or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge
Admission and assessment criteria
To be admitted to the doctoral programme, the applicant must be assessed as having the ability to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 35). Admission is based on an individual assessment.
The selection is based on the applicant’s previous academic achievements and the quality of the independent written work included in the education. The selection also takes into account the opportunity to attend and participate in the research environment of the subject.
Particular importance is attached to:
- A successfully completed master’s project.
- Documented knowledge in solid-state physics and chemistry, atomic modeling, DFT and molecular dynamics simulations.
- Documented knowledge of AI methods, e.g. symbolic AI and artificial neural networks.
- Personal qualities, such as good teamwork skills, communication skills, taking responsibility and being able to work independently and be proactive.
- Good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.
Considerable emphasis is placed on practical application of software for DFT calculations of electronic structure and on international experience.
About the employment
After admission to doctoral level education, a position as a doctoral student will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, §3).
The employment is time-limited, according to HF Chapter 5 §7.
The scope is full-time, 100%.
Entry as soon as possible, according to agreement.
Placement: The employment period is divided between the two universities. You will be employed at Karlstad University 50% of the time and at Uppsala University 50% of the time. You are expected to divide your time between these two universities, and thereby benefit from the combined research environment and its resources.
Salary for the doctoral student position follows the current local collective agreement at each university.
Provisions for doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1-7, and in the university’s rules and guidelines .
Application
The application is sent to Karlstad University, digitally through the recruitment tool, Varbi. It must contain well-documented qualifications. You as the applicant are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement, that any documents in languages other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English are translated and that your competence is documented in a way that allows for an objective, qualitative assessment. Complete applications must be received by the end of the application period. An incomplete application may mean that your competence cannot be assessed in all respects.
The application must contain:
- a personal letter in which the applicant describes themselves and the background to their interest in the applied for position,
- a curriculum vitae (CV),
- diploma with a list of courses taken, or a certified list of courses taken and completed with grades and dates,
- copy of master’s thesis or equivalent,
- if applicable, copies of publications or certificates of other qualifications,
- possible letter of recommendation,
- two references, for example from a teacher, supervisor, former or current manager.
All documents and publications that you wish to be part of your application must be attached to the digital application (not as links). Name each uploaded document so that it is clear what it contains. Documents that cannot be submitted in digital form can be sent to the address below:
Karlstad University
HR Department
HR Administrator
651 88 KARLSTAD
Application deadline: March 5, 2025
Reference number: REK2024/166
Welcome with your application!
Click here to apply for the job
Information provided by
Professor Daniel Brandell, Daniel.Brandell@kemi.uu.se, 018-473709
Professor Moyses Araujo, Moyses.Araujo@kau.se, 054-7002589
About Karlstad University
Sapere Aude – dare to be wise – is our motto. Our students and employees develop knowledge and skills that enrich the individual and the world. Our academic environment is characterized by curiosity, courage and perseverance, and the foundation of our operations is equality, diversity and a democratic approach. We are located in an active, natural region and are a driver for sustainable development in close collaboration with the surrounding society.
Karlstad University has approximately 1,400 employees and 19,000 students distributed across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika. Read more about us at: kau.se/jobb
Film about Karlstad University: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xNWaxr2o3c
About Uppsala University
The Department of Chemistry – Ångström conducts research and education within the subject of chemistry. The department has 270 employees and a turnover of 290 million SEK. More information is available on our website .
Department of Chemistry – Ångström – Uppsala University
Read more about our benefits and what it’s like to work at Uppsala University.
