PhD Fellowship in environmental technology – development of advanced materials for water treatment

University of Stavanger; Norway; On-site; NOK 551,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent Norwegian university is offering a PhD Fellowship in Environmental Technology, focusing on developing advanced materials for water treatment. This full-time position starts in April 2026 and requires a Master's degree in environmental technology or chemical engineering. Candidates with experience in material synthesis and a strong command of English are preferred. The role includes responsibilities in research and collaboration, with access to career development resources and a competitive salary.

Benefits

Access to Norwegian language courses

Salary according to State Salary Scale

Access to health services

Generous maternity/paternity leave

Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant field is required.
• Experience with material synthesis is an advantage.
• Good command of English is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on metal-organic frameworks for water purification.
• Synthesize and characterize materials for project.
• Collaborate with modeling researchers on adsorption processes.

Skills

Practical laboratory skills

Knowledge of XRD, NMR, IR, BET, GC, HPLC, MS

Interest in porous adsorbents

Experience with metal-organic frameworks

Experience testing adsorbents

Motivation for research

Ability to work independently

Ability to work in a team

Innovative and creative skills

Structured work approach

Education

Master's degree in environmental technology or chemical engineering

Job description

Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Technology

Organisation/Company University of Stavanger Department Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Technology Research Field Engineering » Chemical engineering Engineering Technology » Environmental technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Norway Application Deadline 23 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The University of Stavanger invites applicantsfor a PhDFellowship in Environmental Technology- development of advanced materials for water treatment, at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Technology. The position is vacant from April 2026.

This is a trainee position that willgive promising researchers an opportunity for academic developmentthrough a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.

The hired candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Science and Technology. The education includes relevant courses amounting to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiS on our website.

The appointment isfor three years withresearch dutiesexclusively.

A career plan will be prepared that specifies the competencies that the Research Fellow will acquire. Access to career guidance will be provided throughout the doctoral education.

Research topic

The successful candidate will be associated with the research project on the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and composites for water purification and removal of micropollutants such as PFAS, amines and other organic substances. The project is part of the institute's focus on sustainable solutions for water treatment and resource management.

The work includes synthesis and characterization of materials, testing of purification effect in water samples and analysis using advanced instrumental methods. The project will also include collaboration with researchers who model adsorption processes at the molecular level.

The position is part of the research group for Functional materials and Process chemistry at UiS, with partners such as SINTEF and USN.

Qualification requirements

The applicant must have a master's degree in environmental technology, chemical engineering, water or process purification, or equivalent education that provides a basis for conducting a research education, preferably of recent date.

Experience with material synthesis and/or characterization, chemical water analysis or modeling is an advantage.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade foryour master’s thesis and the weighted average grade ofyour master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade.

Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, mustattach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subjects that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales to calculate your points for admission.

You must have goodcommand of both oral and written English.

Emphasis is also placed on your:

• practical skills in the laboratory (organic synthesis, hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis)
• user knowledge with instruments such as XRD, NMR, IR, BET, GC, HPLC, MS
• strong interest in porous adsorbent and separation process
• experience with porous material characterizations
• experience with metal-organic frameworks / ZIFs/ porous coordination networks
• experience with testing adsorbents for separation from liquid media.
• motivation andpotential for research within the field
• professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe
• ability towork independently and in a team, be innovative and creative
• ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload

Requirements for competence in English

A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this with a valid test certificate from one of the following tests:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62

The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA
• Applicants with a completed master's degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on HK-dir's GSU list

We offer

• a PhD education in a large, exciting and societally important organisation
• an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• free Norwegian language courses if you do not have proficiency in Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish at level A2 at the time of employment.
• access to Lifekeys , a digital service for the preservation of personal mental health and well-being
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 550800 gross per year with salary developmentaccording to seniority in the position.From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally activeseniors
• as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave,and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced

Diversity is a resource in the working and learning environment at UiS. When we have different backgrounds and experiences, we can approach challenges from multiple perspectives and find better solutions. At UiS, we are committed to showing respect for each other's differences and accommodating employees with disabilities. We take into consideration your needs and your situation in various life phases.

If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background, or whether you have been out of the workforce for a period.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in their CV, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups for an interview. If you fall into any of these categories, feel free to indicate it when applying for the position. Learn more about the criteria for being considered an applicant in these specific groups here .

The university aims to recruit more women within the subject area. If several applicants are considered to have equal qualifications, female applicants will be given priority.

Application

To apply for this position please follow the link "Apply for this job". Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. Inyour application letter, you must state your research interests and motivation for the position.

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• CV with a full summary of your education and experience
• references, certificates/diplomas andother documentation that you consider relevant
• Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
• documentation on competence in Englishif this is required
• publicationsor other relevant research work

Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge atthe application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation.

The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 100 MB, they must be compressed before upload.

Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants - see Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act .If your request is not granted, you will be notified.

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.

General information

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the actsrelating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it willbe rejected without further assessment.

Your qualificationsfor the position, based on documentation registered in Jobbnorge, will be assessed by an internalexpert committee.Based on the committee's statement, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process onour website.

The appointee will be based at the University of Stavanger. It is a prerequisite that you havea residence which enables you to be present at, and available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.

The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of meaning between the texts, the English text takes precedence.

UiS -challenge the well-known and explore the unknown

The University of Stavanger will be a driving force in innovation and green transition, with sustainability making its way into all our study programmes. Our areas of priority are energy, health and welfare, and learning for life.

Our workplace is characterized by outstanding researchers, bustling student life and high levels of well-being among our 2,000 employees. We are an open university, generous and inclusive, with vibrant meeting places for critical reflection, knowledge sharing and constructive debate. One of our main characteristics is extensive collaboration with working life, in research and education alike. UiS focuses on innovative and flexible learning methods for our 12,000 students. This provides unique opportunities for learning, exchange and development for our students and staff.

The university is located in an international region with 300,000 inhabitants, offering diverse job opportunities, an exciting cultural scene and stunning nature experiences. As an employee, you get access to reduced rates on public transport, training during working hours, the possibility of flexible working hours and a mortgage from the State Pension Fund.

The Faculty of Science and Technology offers study programs at bachelor, master and doctoral level. The faculty has established close cooperation on research withNORCE (Norwegian Research Centre AS)and the regional industry. A number of master's and doctoral theses are made in collaboration with the industry. The faculty has established research collaborations with universities in the US and Europe, and has developed several academic environments that are at the forefront internationally.The faculty has about 2,800 students and approximately 500 employees at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Structural Engineering and Materials Science, Department of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering,and the Department ofSafety, Economicsand Planning.The Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Technology offers study programs at all levels within the areas Biological Chemistry, Chemistry and Environment. Thedepartment is responsible for basic tuition in chemistry at the faculty. There are currently about 60employees including doctoral and postdoctoral fellows, and 230students at the department.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Technology Country Norway Geofield