PhD student in Materials Science

Skilled and committed employees are a crucial factor in the success of Linköping University. And we need more of them. Our core expertise comes from teachers and researchers, but a successful university requires experienced and motivated employees in many fields. Everyone is important. We need to recruit many new employees thanks to, among all, an expansion in our research activity. We need you here. We look forward to receiving your application!

The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology conducts research and offers education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Research, the predominant activity, is often done in collaboration with corporate and international partners. We are one of the university’s largest, oldest and most well known departments, encompassing five interacting scientific fields: biology, chemistry, material physics, applied physics and theory and modelling.
Read more at https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/ifm

We are looking for a PhD student in Materials Science.

Your work assignments
The project, you will be involved in, will focus on investigation of novel 2D materials, named MXenes, using advanced electron microscopy tools. Understanding MXene’s atomic structure and controlling their surfaces are foreseen as an ultimate route to achieve their enhanced functional properties necessary for intended applications. Your tasks consist of characterizing the MXenes’ atomic structures and deriving their surface modification mechanisms by applying various environmental treatment routes. MXenes will be studied at the atomic level using state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopy and dedicated in situ environmental setup at LiU’s microscopy laboratory.

As a doctoral student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Your workplace
The Thin Film Physics division conducts research as well as undergraduate and postgraduate education in materials physics. You will be part of the Materials Microscopy Unit, that coordinates electron microscopy at the national level.

Your qualifications
You have graduated at Master’s level in physics, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, materials science/engineering with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

Knowledge of nanostructured materials, structural characterization and electron microscopy techniques will be advantageous.

Fluent oral and written English are mandatory.

Good communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills are highly desirable.

Terms of employment
When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.

Starting date
By agreement.

Salary and employment benefits
The salary of doctoral students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University 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 reach Linköping University no later than 21 October 2022.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.


We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application!


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