Postdoc in Polymer Nanofibers for Solar Fuels Photocatalysis

Exciting postdoc opportunity for an organic chemist! Want to use your synthesis skills to help in the development of renewable energy technologies? We are seeking a motivated and creative postdoctoral researcher to join our cutting-edge project aimed at developing crystallisable polymer nanofibers for photocatalytic water splitting and CO₂ reduction.

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 Research School https://wise-materials.org/research-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.

Work assignments 

This position is primarily a synthetic role but will also involve self-assembly techniques, materials characterization and the opportunity to conduct testing for photocatalytic water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction.

This role will involve the synthesis of donor and acceptor block copolymers for the development of heterojunction polymer nanofibers. A range of chain- and step-growth techniques will be explored to develop polymers for crystallisation driven self-assembly (CDSA). CDSA heterojunction nanofibers will then be investigated for solar fuels photocatalysis.

Primary Research Duties

• Synthesis of donor and acceptor monomers
• Polymerisation of block copolymers via CTP and/or cross coupling methods
• Chromatographic purification of polymers to very low PDIs.
• Development of crystallisation driven self-assembly methods for the formation of nanofibers

Possible Research Duties

• Electrochemical and optical characterisation of polymers.
• Photocatalytic testing

General Responsibilities

• Recording and analysis of data
• Learning new synthetic, analytical or characterisation techniques
• Presentation of data at meetings and conferences
• Manuscript and (if desired) grant proposal preperation and writing
• Literature monitoring and review
• Supervision and education of junior researchers
• Collaboration with other group members and external partners
• Practice of high laboratory safety standards and contribution to lab maintenance

As postdoc, you will principally carry out research. A certain amount of teaching may be part of your duties, up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.

Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate who is:

• Academically Strong: Holds a doctoral degree in synthetic organic chemistry with a strong track record demonstrating competence and success in your field. Evidence will be sought of a deep understanding of the applicant's previous fields of research as well as independent intellectual and practical contributions to previous research projects.
• Technically Proficient: Is an experienced synthetic organic chemist. Expertise in polymer chemistry, self-assembly, organic semiconductor synthesis or optical/electronic characterisation is a plus.
• Self-Motivated: Is an enthusiastic, organised, self-starter. Willing to learn new techniques or concepts and apply them in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Detail-Oriented: Has strong attention to detail, the ability to keep comprehensive laboratory records and a committed to producing high-quality work.
• Collaborative: Capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Can operate supportively in a laboratory environment and take part in joint projects through co-operation and the exchange of information and skills.
• Excellent Communicator: Has strong verbal, visual presentation, and written communication skills in English.

To be qualified to take employment as postdoc, you must have been awarded a doctoral degree or have a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree.  This degree must have been awarded at the latest by the point at which LiU makes its decision to employ you.

It is considered advantageous, but not essential, if your doctoral degree is no older than three years at application deadline for this job. If there are special reasons for having an older doctoral degree – such as taking statutory leave – then these will be taken into consideration.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and suitability.

The workplace

Join us at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) at Linköping University, a world-renowned center for groundbreaking research in solar energy devices, bioelectronics, printed electronics, and nanooptics using organic materials. Our innovative work focuses on the dynamic coupling of ion and electron movement. Our research topics include synthesis, material science, theory and modelling, device physics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and system design. Our activities span the range from basic research to commercialization. At LOE, you’ll be part of a vibrant community of over 150 researchers, including professors, senior and junior scientists, fellow postdocs and PhD students. Our collaborative environment is multidisciplinary, fostering creativity and innovation. http://liu.se/loe Our campus is located in central Norrköping, a small but vibrant city with a rich industrial heritage within easy reach of the beautiful forests and lakes of Östergötland. 

You will work within the Functional π-Materials group, led by Assistant Professor Catherine Aitchison. The team develops innovative new materials for various energy production and storage applications. We focus on conjugated organic materials and are interested in synthesising and studying materials with self-assembled microstructures that aid in function.

Linköping University (LiU) conducts world-leading, cross-disciplinary research in fields that include materials science, IT and life science technology. LiU is one of the largest universities in Sweden and today has 40,000 students and 4,500 employees. The students are among the most desirable in the labour market and international rankings consistently place LiU as a leading global university. Read more at www.liu.se

The employment

This employment is a temporary contract of two years with the possibility of extension up to a total maximum of three years. The employment is full-time.

Starting date - early 2025 or by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

The university applies individual salaries. A typical starting salary for Postdocs are 41 000 SEK/month.

More information about employee benefits is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button. Your application must be received no later than December 2, 2024. 
 
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered. 

In the application portal CV and cover letter must be added as attachments. In the cover letter you must clearly state why you are interested in this position and how your qualifications fit the position description.
 
In the event of a discrepancy between the English translation of the job announcement and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall take precedent.