Department

The Department of Chemistry, with more than 200 employees, is one of the largest departments at Stockholm University. The research spans all areas of chemistry such as analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic and structural chemistry, and organic chemistry.

The department conducts research ranging from theory to experiment, from basic to applied research, often focusing on sustainable chemistry and advanced analytical methods for chemicals and materials. It also has a well-developed research infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment supported by experienced staff scientists.

The department hosts:

Bachelor's Degree Programme in Chemistry
Master's Programme in Analytical Chemistry
Master's Programme in Sustainable Chemistry
Master's Programme in Organic Chemistry

Doctoral programmes are offered in:

Analytical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Materials Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry

For more information, please visit the Department of Chemistry.

Project Description

Project Title:
Poly(ionic liquid)s composites for catalysing highly efficient CO₂ conversion in Na-CO₂ batteries

Supervisors

Main Supervisor: Prof. Jiayin Yuan
Co-supervisor: Prof. Aji Mathew

The project will develop poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs)-based composites as cathode catalysts for accelerating CO₂ conversion in Na-CO₂ batteries.

The project aims to combine aminated PILs with non-critical transition metal catalysts to activate and catalyse CO₂ redox conversion at the solid-liquid interfaces.

The structure-activity relationship between polymer functional groups, metal centres, and electrochemical CO₂ reduction/evolution performance will be investigated using:

FTIR
NMR
CO₂ adsorption/desorption
TEM (in cooperation with DC#3)

The chemical environments of the metal sites will be investigated through:

Ex-situ XAS
Operando XAS (in cooperation with DC#11)

These studies will be combined with DFT calculations to understand the CO₂ conversion mechanism.

Swagelok-type cells will be assembled to investigate electrochemical performance, including:

Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) for redox reactions
Galvanostatic Discharge-Charge (GDC) profiles for cycle stability
Rate capability testing

The project also includes three secondments totaling 8 months with consortium partners.

The ideal applicant should:

Be proactive
Have a problem-solving mindset
Be interested in interdisciplinary materials chemistry research

Applicants with strong backgrounds in any of the following are encouraged to apply:

Materials Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry
Electrocatalysis
Chemical Engineering
Battery Materials and Operation

Qualification Requirements

Applicants must satisfy both the general and specific entry requirements before the application deadline.

General Entry Requirements

Applicants must have:

A second-cycle degree, or
At least 240 higher education credits, including 60 credits at second-cycle level, or
Equivalent qualifications obtained in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific Entry Requirements

Applicants must have:

A Bachelor's degree with a major in:An independent research project comprising at least 30 higher education credits at the advanced level.
- Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Physics

Equivalent qualifications obtained in Sweden or abroad are also accepted.

MSCA Doctoral Network Mobility Rule

The project (101311389 – e-ChemIn) is funded through the Horizon Europe (HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01) programme.

Applicants must satisfy the following mobility requirements:

Must not have resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before recruitment.
Must not have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden during this period.
Must not already hold a doctoral degree at the recruitment date.

Selection Criteria

Eligible applicants will be assessed based on their capacity to benefit from doctoral education.

Assessment criteria include:

Documented knowledge in a relevant research field
Analytical and creative thinking
Initiative
Independence
Ability to collaborate
Written and spoken English proficiency

Selection follows the Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

Employment Information

The position is a fixed-term doctoral student employment under Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100).

Employment Conditions

Employment Type: Temporary
Contract Type: Full-time
Duration: Up to 4 years
Salary: Fixed salary
Number of Positions: 1
Workload: 100%

Doctoral students are expected to devote themselves primarily to their doctoral studies.

The employment may also include teaching, research, and administrative duties of up to 20%, with a corresponding extension of the employment period.

The initial appointment is for a maximum of one year, after which it may be renewed for up to two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to provide a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.