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PhD Research Fellow in Organometallic and Homogeneous Catalysis

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in experimental organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis at the Department of Chemistry. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4 th year with compulsory other work (e.g., teaching duties at the Department). The position is part of the project Ammonia Production via Electrocatalytic Processes (AmPEP), which is funded by the Research Council of Norway, TotalEnergies, Equinor, and the University of Bergen (UiB). AmPEP (and thus the position) is also associated with the Norwegian Center for Hydrogen Research (HyValue), a research centre for environmentally friendly energy (FME).

About the project/work tasks:

Ammonia is the most important ingredient in the production of artificial fertilizers and is also a very promising carbon-free energy carrier. Ammonia is produced via the so-called Haber-Bosch process, which requires high temperatures and pressures using hydrogen from natural gas. The research group works to make ammonia production more sustainable and environmentally friendly and develops catalysts and processes for the synthesis of ammonia directly from water and nitrogen. The research fellow’s project is part of this work, and the scholarship holder will, together with other researchers in the project group, design, synthesize, test, and immobilize new catalysts for the conversion of nitrogen and water into ammonia. In general, the research group uses insights and predictions from quantum chemical calculations to design catalysts, and these catalysts are next synthesized and tested in the group's laboratory. We are looking for a research fellow with the right background and motivation to strengthen the experimental side of the overall project. Specifically, this work will consist of synthesis of novel molecular and immobilized catalysts, followed by evaluation of the performance of the new catalysts using bench-scale reactors. Studies of catalyst regeneration and reuse may also be included.

The successful candidate will be integrated in a team ranging from bachelor’s and master’s students, via PhD students to postdoctoral researchers. The candidate thus has ample opportunity to both receive and give supervision and to develop leadership skills.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent education in chemistry or must have submitted his/her master's thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded.
Candidates must document solid experience with:
- Organometallic chemistry with an emphasis on experimental aspects.
- Advanced NMR spectroscopic methods such as multinuclear or 2D NMR.
It is an advantage to have documented experience with:
- Other analytical techniques such as IR, MS, GC-MS, and X-ray crystallography.
- Homogeneous catalysis.
- Organic synthesis.
- Polymer chemistry and associated characterization techniques such as GPC-SEC analysis.
The appointed person must have:
- Good abilities for critical thinking and writing.
- Ability to work in a structured and independent manner, and to collaborate with others.
- Good knowledge of both written and spoken English.

For each of the above qualifications claimed, documentation must be included, as a certificate, diploma, reference, publication, etc., as described under “Your application must include” below. An overview (a list) of how each qualification has been documented must also be included in the application.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position
The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications.

About the PhD position:

About the PhD Research Fellow
The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year, consisting of 25% compulsory work (e.g. teaching responsibilities at the department) distributed over the employment period. The 4th year is contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the head of department upon appointment.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training
As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer:

a good and professionally stimulating working environment
salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 532 200 (equivalent to pay grade 54). Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis
CV
transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the master's thesis has been submitted
relevant certificates/references
approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission )
a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
any publications in your name
an overview (a list) of how each claimed qualification is documented

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact Associate Professor Erwan Le Roux, Department of Chemistry, tlf. +47-55589491 / e-mail: Erwan.LeRoux@uib.no or Prof. Vidar R. Jensen, Department of Chemistry, tlf. +47-55583489 / e-mail: Vidar.Jensen@uib.no

For HR related questions contact adviser Anna Folgerø, e-mail: anna.folgero@uib.no.

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here .

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.