Doctoral students in Theoretical Chemistry – Stockholm, Sweden

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Chemistry

In the interfacial layers between solid and liquid materials, several of the most important processes occur in both living and artificial systems. The properties of molecules can drastically change when they are in interfacial layers, which can be exploited for, among other things, detection and efficient catalysis. Often, models with thousands of atoms are required to describe this type of system. At the same time, many processes of interest depend on a quantum chemical description, such as chemical reactions or the interaction between molecules and light. We are interested in two specific systems: molecules on the surface of large proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and molecular catalysts on the surface of electrodes, for example, in the production of hydrogen. The size of these systems is far beyond what conventional quantum chemical software can handle. In collaboration between the Department of Theoretical Chemistry and Biology and the supercomputer center PDC at KTH, a new quantum chemical software has been developed that is tailored for modern supercomputers. This enables studies of systems at least 10 times larger, allowing us, for the first time, to approach the processes described above with a full quantum chemical description. The doctoral positions involve studying the systems, testing the software on national and European supercomputers, and developing simpler methods necessary to describe the systems in question. In both projects, collaboration with experimental research groups will occur regularly.

Supervision: Mårten Ahlquist and Patrick Norman are proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• An opportunity to conduct research coupled to software development for one o Europe’s largest supercomputers.
• Strong connections to leading experimental groups.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master’s degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
• achieved a degree in chemistry, physics, material sciences or related fields.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.
• have basic knowledge in programming, e.g. with Python.
• show sufficiente knowledge in relevant application fields.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ‘ time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH’s website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section’s website.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH’s recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here

Type of employment: Temporary position
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: According to agreement
Salary: Monthly salary according to KTH’s doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions: 2
Full-time equivalent: 100%
City: Stockholm
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: C-2023-1438
Contact:

1. Mårten Ahlquist, +4687909991

Published: 2023-09-07
Last application date: 2023-11-15