Assistant Professor in Materials Science with a focus on simulation and modeling of organic functional materials for sustainability

The Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) at Linköping University is recruiting this tenure-track Assistant Professor with a generous starting package through the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE). The WISE Fellow recruitment package includes

• salary for the recruited faculty member (4 years full-time)
• salary for two PhD students (4 years each)
• salary for two postdocs (2 years each)
• research/consumables funding

Work assignments 

As an Assistant Professor, you are expected to conduct and lead pioneering research that combines fundamental and applied aspects of soft materials. The research focuses on developing advanced models to deepen the understanding of properties, behaviors, and interactions of soft materials, aiming to enable innovations in organic electronics, energy storage, and functional polymeric systems. The position includes both research and teaching. We are particularly looking for someone who can combine traditional simulation techniques with machine learning to improve predictive capabilities and efficiency in multiscale modeling.

The assistant professor will be given the opportunity to develop independence as a researcher and to obtain both the research and teaching qualifications required for employment as associate professor.

Key research areas and responsibilities include one or several of the following:

•  Conductive polymers, biopolymers, and macromolecular modeling: Investigate electronic, optical, molecular, and transport properties of soft materials, including conductive and semiconductive polymers, biopolymers, and macromolecules, to optimize performance in organic electronic and electrochemical devices.
• Multiscale simulation and integration of machine learning: Use molecular dynamics, quantum mechanical and continuum models, in combination with machine learning, to accelerate material development, optimize device design, and enable data-driven predictions of material behavior.
• Organic electronics and device modeling: Model properties and functionality of soft materials in devices such as diodes, transistors, solar cells, sensors, and energy storage systems, thereby contributing to improved efficiency and sustainability.
• Collaboration with experimental and application-oriented research groups: Work interdisciplinarily with experimental research groups within and outside the department, focusing on sustainable materials and components for energy and electronics.

This recruitment is linked to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, https://wise-materials.org). Funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, WISE is the largest investment in materials science in Sweden ever, encompassing major initiatives at Sweden’s leading universities over 12 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

With a highly competitive startup package including funding for two PhD students, two postdocs, personal salary, access to state-of-the-art infrastructure (specifically NAISS, see https://www.naiss.se/), and a strong internal and international collaborative environment, the applicant is expected to establish and lead an independent research program in organic functional materials for sustainability that complements and further develops LOE’s current activities.

Placement will be at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) at Linköping University’s Department of Science and Technology at Campus Norrköping. LOE is one of the world’s leading research labs in organic/plastic-based electronics, with research areas spanning synthesis, materials science, components, sustainability, bioelectronics, systems, and applications. LOE consists of approximately 150 professors, researchers, PhD students, and technical staff, organized into 9 research units and a laboratory support team. Placement at LOE provides rapid integration into the collaborative research environment, full access to open research environments, advanced infrastructure for fabrication, characterization, chemistry, and cleanroom facilities, as well as access to the Printed Electronics Arena with modern equipment for printed electronics and additive manufacturing. All research is conducted in English.

As an Assistant Professor, you will also teach (initially exclusively in English) and supervise students in various programs at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The position will eventually include course development and course responsibility. We expect you to be present and active in the workplace to best perform your duties and thrive in the work community.

You will be active in the research community, participate in departmental activities such as seminars and workshops, engage in research projects, communicate results through scientific publications, and contribute to attracting external research funding. You actively contribute to the university’s development work and administrative tasks such as organizing meetings, hosting guests, and leadership within the department.

Your work includes keeping up with national and international developments in your field and societal developments relevant to your work.

You are flexible and able to navigate different types of pedagogical and scientific contexts. You share knowledge and contribute to the professional development of the workgroup, collegial working methods, and social cohesion. We consider it essential that you are present and active to perform your tasks effectively and enjoy the work environment.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone with a doctoral degree or equivalent scientific competence. Primarily, we seek candidates who have completed their PhD within the last five years, but those who completed it earlier are also welcome to apply. For this position, particular emphasis will be placed on scientific excellence.

Regarding scientific excellence, the following will be assessed:

Requirements for the position include:

• Documented expertise and research profile that complements and further develops LOE’s activities.
• Doctoral degree in materials science, chemistry, applied physics, or another relevant field.
• Previous postdoctoral or equivalent experience in relevant areas.

Merits for the position include:

• Experience leading research projects.
• Extensive publication activity, especially as first or senior author.
• Participation and coordination of national and international research projects.
• Previous research grants, preferably as principal or co-applicant.
• Experience coordinating research grants.

Regarding pedagogical skills, the following will be assessed:

Merits for the position include:

• Supervision of master’s students, PhD students, and/or postdocs.
• Experience teaching at the master’s or doctoral level.
• Experience in course development and planning.

Other skills to be assessed for this position include:

• Requirement: documented experience in collaborative research.
• Particularly meritorious: previous experience working in large, interdisciplinary research groups.

As teaching and research are conducted in English, you must demonstrate the ability to teach and conduct research in English, and it is desirable that you can teach in Swedish within two years.

The workplace

Placement will be at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE) at Linköping University’s Department of Science and Technology at Campus Norrköping. Our campus is located in the central parts of Norrköping close to the river Motala ström. 

The employment

The length of employment for this position is four years, full time.

Starting date by agreement.

An assistant professor may be employed until further notice, for a minimum period of four years and a maximum period of six years, as determined by the institution of higher education before the employment begins. The employment may be renewed, by a maximum period of two years, if, as a consequence of sick absence, parental leave, or other special circumstances of the assistant professor, additional time is necessary in order to achieve the purpose of the employment.

An assistant professor shall, after application, be promoted to associate professor if he/she is qualified for employment as associate professor and has been assessed following a test to be suitable for such employment according to the grounds for assessment that the University has determined. 

For more information on eligibility requirements, assessment criteria and recruitment procedures for teachers, see Linköping University’s rules of appointment. 
Linköping University’s rules of appointment.

Salary and employment benefits

The university applies individual salaries.

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 below. Your application must be received no later than 29 of August 2025. 
 
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered. 
 
Please attach your selected research publications electronically, in pdf or word format, in the application template. Research publications, e.g. monographs, which cannot be sent electronically should be sent in three sets by mail to the University Registrar at Linköping University, University Registrar, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. The publications must be received by Linköping University no later than the deadline for application. 

Please note that printed publications will not be returned. They will be archived at Linköping University. 
 
In the event of a discrepancy between the English translation of the job announcement and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall take precedent.