PhD position in Design of ultra-efficient recyclable DeNOx catalysts

Information about the research project
This project is a joint effort between Chalmers and the company Johnsson Matthey AB that is designed to develop ultra-efficient recycable catalysts for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The intended use of the catalysts is for automotive emisison control and in particular for heavy-duty vehicles. However, also other applications can be of relevance. As an examaple, the shipping industry considers ammonia as a fuel, which would need significant installations of NOx emission reduction technologies.

In this research project, you will explore recyclable materials for catalytic reduction of NOx. You will focus on connecting catalytic mechanisms and performance to the design and formulation of the materials using an array of so-called operando characterisation methods. In short "operando" appelas to the measurement of catalytic performance while characterising a certain material property (composition, structure, chemical state etc). Thereby catalyst structure-function relationships can be formulated and used to guide the design of next generation catalysts. The measurements will be carried out both in home laboratories at Chalmers, foremost operando infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and at the large-scale research facilities MAX IV, ESRF and PETRA III, which all provide suitable X-ray based methods. You will develop new procedures to extract information of mentioned spectroscopic methods. This includes setting up and verifying the measurement approach and data evaluation routines. You will use a number of complementary techniques as to study catalytic activity and selectivity, and to characterisae the catalyst properties. Depending on the project progression, you may either synthesise your own catalysts based on achievemechanistic insights or use the data to formulate mathematical kinetic models for further exploration.

Information about the research environment
The position is within the research group of Prof. Per-Anders Carlsson at the division of Applied Chemistry, Chalmers. The research at Applied Chemistry is broad covering Applied Surface Chemistry, Biopolymer Technology, Pharmaceutical Technology and Polymer Chemistry and Electronics. The Carlsson reserach group adopts a physical inorganic chemistry approach to materials and surface science. The common activities include aspects on materials synthesis and evaluation combined with advanced operando characterisation for understanding and control of atomic scale processes in functional materials such as catalysts. The Carlsson group is active in the interdisciplinary research centre Competence Centre for Catalysis located at Chalmers, which collects experimental and theoretical expertise in catalysis.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position includes research at a 90-100% level where the remaining part is teaching and departmental work.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
The candidate should have Master of Science degree (or similar) in Chemistry, Physics or Materials Science before employment preferably in April-June 2021 time frame.

The successful candidate should have: 
(1) Master of Science in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or similar.
(2) Good communication skills in written and spoken English
(3) Able to work independently and take responsibility for progress and quality of the project
(4) Candidates with experience in heterogeneous catalysis, signal processing, optical methods, are meritorious.
(5) Experience in computer hardware and programming as well as electronics hardware and control is meritorious

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210072 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, eg. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 12 March, 2021

For questions, please contact:
Professor Per-Anders Carlsson/Dept. Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers; E-mail: per-anders.carlsson@chalmers.se
Phone: +46-31-772 2924
Professor Anna Martinelli Dept. Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers; E-mail: anna.martinelli@chalmers.se
Phone: +46-31-772 3002

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***