Doctoral student in Physics with focus on aerosol physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research at the division of Solid State Physics is focused around different aspects of semiconductor physics, ranging from materials science to quantum physics, and different applications. The division also leads NanoLund, the major interdisciplinary research environment within nanoscience and nanotechnology at Lund University. Lund Nano Lab is a central key facility for fabrication of material and devices on the nanoscale. The division is also heavily involved in the undergraduate education, especially within the “Engineering Nanoscience” program.

For the last twenty years our research in generating advanced nanomaterials based on nanoparticles produced with aerosol technology has been in the international forefront. We wish to expand our research in the area by combining advanced aerosol technology with advanced processing technology to produce magnetic nanostructures, which are of great interest in research and industry.

More information can be found at: www.ftf.lth.se, www.nano.lu.se and www.nano.lu.se/maria-messing.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The goal of the project is combining techniques to produce novel types of nanoparticle-based materials, including catalytic materials, based on aerosol-generated nanoparticles and to use advanced characterization methods to link the structure of the material to the properties of the material. The main focus of the project will be to development and increased understanding of the formation mechanism behind mixed-metal nanoparticles and how to tune their composition, but the project will also include advanced characterization of the individual nanoparticles as well as the larger nanoparticle-based structures. This will be done by electron microscopy, x-ray-based characterization techniques and measurements of the catalytic properties. Hence, the doctoral student will gain comprehensive experience in several important key production and characterization tools for nanomaterials, in addition to forward the knowledge on new types of nanoparticle-based materials and nanoparticle formation via aerosol routes. We have a large network of international cooperation partners and the PhD studies might include an exchange with another University or a secondment in industry.

The doctoral student is expected to work independently, as well as in close collaboration with researchers carrying out other tasks within the project.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or

• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Physics if he or she has:

• at least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject, of which at least 15 credits shall comprise a second-cycle degree project, or
• an MSc in engineering in engineering physics, or an associated field, or a Master’s degree in physics or an associated field.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Basis of assessment

Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience with and knowledge about nanotechnology
• Experience in nanoparticle generation by aerosol methods primarily spark ablation, ideally through a project with scope corresponding to a Bachelor/Master thesis project.
• Experience with electron microscopy.
• Experience with EDX analysis.
• The undergraduate studies should include courses in materials science and materials characterization.
• Very good communication skills, and documented skills on collaboration.
• We are looking for a person who is structured, goal-oriented, dedicated to problem-solving, have a creative and curious mind, can work both independently and in a group, and has good self-awareness.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications must be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.). For applicants whose previous studies were conducted at a university where English was not the spoken language, evidence of English proficiency is requested (For example, TOEFL / IELTS results, or similar).

Applicants are also required to answer the job specific questions in the final step of the application process.

The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies.