PhD position in Chemistry, with a specialization in inorganic chemistry

Wifo; Umeå kommun; Sur place; SEK 35 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Social benefits such as parental leave

Holiday leave

Occupational health services

Résumé du poste

Wifo seeks a PhD candidate in Chemistry specializing in inorganic chemistry at Umeå University. The candidate will work on project focused on radiation-induced processes at oxide-water interfaces.

The role involves doctoral studies, research participation, and may include teaching. Employment starts on October 1, 2026, or per agreement, for four years full-time.

Qualifications

• Completed a second-cycle degree or equivalent education.
• Minimum of 90 ECTS credits in chemistry or relevant subjects.
• Good proficiency in English required.

Responsabilités

• Pursue doctoral studies focused on radiation-induced processes.
• Participate in research and doctoral courses.
• Teaching and departmental work up to 20%.

Connaissances

Meticulousness

Logical thinking

Strong problem-solving ability

Good oral proficiency in English

Good written proficiency in English

Formation

Second-cycle level degree or equivalent education

90 ECTS credits in chemistry or a directly relevant subject

15 ECTS credits at second-cycle level in specialization

Outils

Experimental spectroscopy techniques

Molecular modelling (MD/MC, DFT)

Programming (Python, MATLAB)

Linux/HPC systems

Description du poste

PhD position in Chemistry, with a specialization in inorganic chemistry

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 employees. The Department of Chemistry is opening a four‑year PhD position specializing in inorganic chemistry. The thesis project will focus on radiation‑induced processes at oxide–water interfaces, using advanced experimental and theoretical methods. The position involves participation in research and postgraduate courses. The last day to apply is 15 August 2026. Starting date is 1 October 2026 at the earliest, or by agreement, but no later than 31 January 2027.

Project description and tasks

Throughout the nuclear fuel cycle, interfaces between water and metal oxides arise at which ionizing radiation induces radiolysis of the water. The species formed—free radicals and other reactive molecules—can affect corrosion rates, the release of radionuclides, and the material properties of reactor materials and barrier materials used in a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel. In a collaborative project with KTH Royal Institute of Technology, funded by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet), the PhD student will investigate these radiation‑induced processes at various oxide–water interfaces.

The PhD student will, among other things, combine time‑resolved and multimodal X‑ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES, EXAFS, and others) at synchrotron facilities such as MAXIV with theoretical molecular modelling of the corresponding systems. The work will be carried out in the Molecular Geochemistry research group (moleculargeo.chem.umu.se) at the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, in collaboration with researchers and PhD students at KTH.

Qualifications

To be admitted for studies at third‑cycle level you must have completed a second‑cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second‑cycle level, or have an equivalent education from abroad.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements for third‑cycle studies in chemistry, you must have completed first‑cycle courses of at least 90 ECTS credits within the field of chemistry or another subject considered directly relevant to the specialization. Of those 90 ECTS credits, at least 15 ECTS credits must have been acquired at second‑cycle level within the specialization or an equivalent subject.

Applicants who have acquired essentially equivalent knowledge through other means are also considered eligible. The eligibility requirements must be met at the time of admission, but do not need to be met when the application is submitted.

Additional required qualifications are:

A suitable candidate is meticulous, with logical thinking and strong problem‑solving ability. Good oral and written proficiency in English is also required.

Merits are:

A particular interest in, and prior coursework in, inorganic or physical chemistry at an advanced level (at least 15 ECTS credits); practical experience of experimental spectroscopy or diffraction techniques such as XAS, XRD, FTIR, and XPS; experience with molecular modelling (MD/MC, DFT); familiarity with basic programming (Python, MATLAB) and the use of Linux/HPC systems; and collaborative skills, drive, and independence.

About the employment

The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree. The main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, including participation in research and doctoral courses. Duties can include teaching and other departmental work (up to 20 %). Employment is limited to an equivalent of four years of full‑time (48 months) or up to five years for teaching part‑time. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary levels for PhD positions. Employment starts 1 October 2026 or according to agreement.

As employees at Umeå University, PhD students are granted social benefits such as parental leave, holiday leave, and occupational health services.

The candidate’s physical workplace will be in Umeå.

Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lays the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.