Postdoc in Graphene and Latex Polymers Composite for Gas Barriers

Do you want to do research on the unique material graphene, to use it as gas barrier in collaboration with important industrial partners? Our project aims at investigating and understanding the complex microstructure of graphene - polymer multifunctional films, and it is part of the newly established “2D-TECH” center at Chalmers

Information about the 2D-TECH center
The research will be part of the new center for research on two-dimensional materials (2D-TECH) created in Chalmers in 2020 with support from Sweden's Innovation Agency Vinnova.

The 2D-TECH center focuses on technology based on two-dimensional materials in several different application areas for Swedish industry. It targets development of graphene-based multifunctional composites, sustainable energy, electronics and new materials. 17 Chalmers researchers from six different departments are associated with the project including researchers from Physics, Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Industrial and Materials Science, Biology and Biological Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical engineering. The center will also be strengthened with around 20 PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. The center bring together the key players from industry and research and establish close, multi-disciplinary and above long-term collaboration.

Research field
Graphene-based technology, which allows to produce 2-dimensional materials (2DM) with tunable properties on large scale, is becoming mature for industrial applications. First large-scale applications of 2DM are already commercial, mostly based on graphene-polymer composites. However, the interaction of GRM with polymers still need to be investigated and understood at molecular level based on in-depth fundamental research. The surface chemistry of 2DM plays an important role on its uniform distribution in the polymer matrix. The processing and study of complex microstructure of GRM/polymer multifunctional composites are more challenging than lab scale synthesis, but the skills to tackle them have now been developed by the scientific community, and time is mature for further development.

Major responsibilities
You are expected to perform daily research activities in the lab in an independent way, possibly supervising the activities of one or more PhD students. Furthermore you are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of the research performed verbally and in writing in English.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must have a doctoral degree in a relevant field; the degree should generally not be older than three years. You should be fluent in English, have good collaborative skills and ability to communicate your results in writing and presentations. We expect you to stay motivated and efficient despite setbacks and disappointments while continuing to work until non-trivial results have been achieved.

• PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering or related disciplines, awarded by an internationally recognized university;
• Highly motivated and independent candidate, with strong passion and good knowledge of polymer chemistry, graphene related materials and materials science;
• Practical abilities and inclination to work in a chemical lab, imagine and build new experimental setups, perform statistical analysis of experimental data;
• Ability to disseminate scientific results, train and supervise PhD students;
• Skilled in polymer synthesis, characterization and processing;
• Strongly interested to investigate structure-property relationships of polymers in membrane applications;
• Strong interest in the production of composites for gas barrier functionality, and in creating industrially valuable products;
• Experienced in interaction with academic and industrial partners;
• Full professional proficiency in English. You will also need to acquire Swedish proficiency within 2 years.
  
The following qualifications will be considered as advantages:
• Experience in surface chemistry, organic synthesis, graphene production, advanced materials characterization techniques and/or gas barriers;
• Ability to communicate in Swedish.
 
All the skills mentioned above have to be clearly indicated in the application and confirmed, if possible, by supplementary documentation (PhD thesis, journal papers, course certificates, reference letters, etc.).

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment at Chalmers for maximum 2 years. Initial contract duration one year, renewable.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210205 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number)
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• 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 research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

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

Application deadline: 30 May, 2021