Lund University, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Subject description

The synthesis, structure and properties of carbon compounds such as reactivity are the overarching themes of research in organic chemistry. This is reflected in the development of new methods and strategies for generating both molecular and supramolecular complexity, often in the context of medical, biological and physical applications, and the use of physical chemical methods to study the structure and properties of molecules and systems. The topic is focused on synthesis of complex organic compounds, method development, asymmetric synthesis, natural product chemistry, chemical biology, catalysis, molecular self-organization and recognition, nanochemistry and molecular photo dyes. This call is towards the cross section between organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

Read more: https://wise-materials.org

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Graduate School <https://wise-materials.org/research/graduate-school/>, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Being a doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences. The work also include design, synthesis and characterization of iron-based metal complexes based on, among other things, N-heterocyclic carbene ligands. Both organic and inorganic synthesis will be developed for the purpose. In synthesis, modern synthesis methods will be used. Characterization will be done with advanced analysis methods such as nuclear magnetic spectroscopy, IR and UV. Studies of the physical properties of metal complexes will be pursued mainly within catalytic applications such as the reduction of carbon dioxide and splitting of water, respectively, to fuels. 

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 will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

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 organic chemistry if he or she has:

At least 120 higher education credits must consist of chemistry courses, of which at least 30 higher education credits are degree work at advanced level within the chosen major or closely related majors.

The special authorization may also have been obtained through other equivalent training, which is tested in each individual case.

Additional requirements

  • Great importance will be attached to written and oral presentation in English.
  • Great emphasis will be placed on the ability to work in a structured and independent manner and to be able to document one's results well.
  • Solid practical experience of organic or inorganic chemical synthesis.
  • Extensive knowledge of organic chemistry or inorganic chemistry.
  • Knowledge in coordination chemistry and organometallic chemistry (both practical and theoretical).
  • Knowledge in spectroscopy, especially NMR but also/UV/IR is a requirement.

Other qualifications

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications:

  • Good cooperation skills and experience of working in groups with different skills.
  • Experience in homogeneous catalysis is advantageous.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. Written and oral communication skills Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

More about working at Lund University on lu.se.

Terms of employment

Only those who have been admitted to doctoral studies may be employed as doctoral students. Third cycle studies consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include:

  • CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
  • Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project.
  • Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment As agreed
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2025/2724
Contact
  • Kenneth Wärnmark, +46462228217, kenneth.warnmark@chem.lu.se
  • Erik Andersson Jardby, erik.andersson_jardby@kilu.lu.se
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362, st@st.lu.se
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, kansli@saco-s.lu.se, kansli@saco-s.lu.se
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-2229366, sekocivil@seko.lu.se
Published 25.Sep.2025
Last application date 30.Oct.2025
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