Postdoctoral Fellow in Thermally Conducting Nanopaper for Flexible Electronics

at the Department of Materials and Environmental Cemistry. Closing date: 30 January 2024.

The Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is, with about 160 employees, one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Natural sciences at Stockholm University. A significant part of the teaching activities is at the undergraduate level with courses in General, Physical, Inorganic, and Analytical Chemistry. The teaching at the graduate level focuses on the master programs in Sustainable Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry. Research activities of MMK focus primarily on materials, and include different classes such as ceramics, glasses, self-assembled, porous materials, and soft matter. The projects often encompass synthesis, and characterization by X-ray, neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, solid-state NMR, and computer modelling of materials with a potential for various applications. Research activities in the area of Analytical Chemistry focus on developing advanced analytical techniques for studies of organic compounds and biomolecules.  

Project description
The position is part of an Flag-ERA JTC project, 2D paper funded by VINNOVA. This is a  project consortium with partners across Europe and aims  to develop and characterise thermally conducting nanocellulose hybrid substrates for flexible electronics. The sustainability in the various parts (synthesis, manufacturing, material choice)  and recyclability routes will be considered for decsion making.  The program is highly transdisciplinary and selected candidate will be able to collaborate with industries, research institutes and other stakeholders in the different tasks of the project. 

Main responsibilities
We are seeking a post-doctoral fellow for 2 years with a broad vision and passion to  develop novel and sustainable  routes to  develop colloidal formulations  based on 2D building blocks and cellulose nanofibers  and assemble the components to control the thermal conductivity in prescribed directions. Scalability of the process will be a priority and processing techniques including coating or 3D printing will be explored. The heat transport flexibility, mechanical properties and robustness in water and organic solvents will be used for performance evaluation. The selected candidate will work in the group of Prof Aji Mathew at MMK.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

The applicant should have a PhD degree in Materials Chemistry,  Inorganic chemistry, Chemical Engineering (or a related field). The successful candidate will join a vibrant multidisciplinary team of students and post‐docs and should therefore be a good team player with experience to supervise students. Applicants must have strong communication skills with excellent knowledge in English, both written and spoken.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills. The selection is based primarily on scientific excellence and experience in the field of nanocellulose or  2D materials. Experience  or interest in  machine learning, material informatics and high through put  hybrid design will be of added advantage.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2024-03-15 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact the project leader, Professor Aji P Mathew, telephone: +46 8 16 1256, aji.mathew@mmk.su.se.

Further information about MMK can be obtained from the Head of the Department, Niklas Hedin, niklas.hedin@mmk.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

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