Postdoctoral Fellow in organic bioelectronics with focus on sustainability

at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry. Closing date: 6 May 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 ceramics, glasses, self-assembled, porous materials, and soft matter, including conducting polymers. The projects often encompass synthesis and multifaceted characterization of materials as well as their application. Examples of applications are organ on chip, biosensors, and implantable devices. Research activities in the area of Analytical Chemistry focus on developing advanced analytical techniques for studies of organic compounds and biomolecules.

Project description
This project is connected to the group endeavour to increase the sustainability of organic bioelectronic materials and devices. The Postdoctoral Fellow will play a central role in the Team, by developing new materials, processes, and/or device configurations that provide the performance needed for applications and sustainable design. The new materials and concepts will have direct application within the bioelectronic devices developed in the group. Advanced characterization techniques will be used to understand their structure-property relationship of materials and the impact of fabrication on device performance.

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

Main responsibilities
Scientific research and education. The Postdoctoral Fellow is also expected to instruct students, asssist with project management, and take responsibility of funding applications within the focus areas of the group.

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.

To date, most electronic devices are fabricated using unsustainable materials and development paradigms. Advanced technologies require materials and device designs that provide comparable, or even better, performance with respect to the state-of-the-art and that meet our needs for sustainability: from “green” chemistries to production schemes that use non-toxic solvents and circular designs. The candidate will work on projects aimed at filling the gap between sustainability and technological progress, particularly focusing in organic bioelectronics.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills in organic bioelectronics, such as experience in the development and characterization of materials with mixed ionic/electronic conductivity and the fabrication and characterization of bioelectronic devices. The ideal applicant is equipped with a problem-solving “can-do” mindset combined with a strong track-record of original research, demonstrated by being the lead author on multiple scientific articles.

The applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Possess a PhD in Material Science and Engineering, Flexible Electronics, Electrical engineering, Computer science and engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Chemistry, Applied Physics or related fields
• Research expertise in organic bioelectronics. Good understanding on the basic principles of mixed ionic/electronic conductors
• A strong interest in organic bioelectronic materials and devices. Scientific curiosity and motivation to perform scientifically rigorous experimental work
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment
• Documented expertise on the development and characterization of organic bioelectronic devices.
• Ability to work within a collaborative team with different expertise
• Experience as lead-author on multiple scientific articles
• Strong knowledge of English, both orally and in writing.

Of merit:

• Experience in techniques to characterize mixed ionic/electronic conductors both in solution and thin film
• Experience with additive manufacturing and/or conjugated polymer synthesis
• Experience with sustainability.

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 2024-08-15 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, Assist. Prof. Erica Zeglio erica.zeglio@mmk.su.se. For general information about the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, please contact the Head of the Department, Prof. 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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