PhD student position in organic synthesis of new solar energy materials

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering promotes research and education for sustainable development, for improved health and quality of life. Our research ranges from natural science and bioscience, applied chemistry and biotechnology to chemical engineering. Our educational programs are characterized by technological solutions for improving people’s everyday life, and are continuously developed for meeting and promoting societal and industrial development. 

We have approximately 400 employees, divided into five research divisions and one administrative unit. We are situated at campus Johanneberg.

Our department is characterized by stimulation of world leading research, in an environment where people develop and create new knowledge.

Information about the division
At the “Molecular Materials” Group at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden we design and synthesize new self-assembled materials. Based on a small molecule approach, the aim is to make materials for a broad range of applications ranging from single molecule electronics to sensors and energy storage technologies.

The Department features state of the art facilities for materials synthesis and characterization.

For more info, please visit our group homepage:
www.moth-poulsen.se

A brief description of our lab facilities can be found here:
http://moth-poulsen.se/Facilities.html

Information about the project
In a future society with limited access to fossil fuels, technologies for efficient on demand delivery of renewable energy are highly desirable. In this regard, methods that allow for solar energy storage and on demand solar driven energy generation are particularly relevant since the sun is the most abundant energy source. The goal of this research project is to harness solar energy in the form of chemical bonds in molecules for molecular solar thermal energy storage (MOST) applications.1-10

We are working with a new type of solar energy storage based on photoinduced isomerization of organic compounds. Specifically, the project focus is on the development of new molecular materials for solar energy applications.

The PhD project is a part of research team consisting of several PhD students and post docs that has the common goal of developing molecules and devices for solar energy storage.

Major responsibilities
The goal is to design and synthesize molecules for molecular solar thermal energy storage. 
Key parts of the work will be

• Design and synthesis of new organic molecules.
• Characterization of Molecules.
• Photochemistry and physical organic chemistry.

Your major responsibilities as PhD student is 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, both in Swedish and in English. The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.

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

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits. Ideally the applicant should have knowledge about Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Chemistry, Nano-Science or Materials science. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the work, the candidate is expected to have good collaboration skills and be able to communicate in English, both orally and in writing.  

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 20140263 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.

Application deadline: September 29

For questions, please contact:
Associate Professor Kasper Moth-Poulsen, mkasper@chalmers.se

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


Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!