Information about the research group

The main theme at Chemical Physics is the development of sustainable energy systems by using heterogeneous catalysis for alternative fuel production, emission control, energy storage, and fuel cells. The research is interdisciplinary with strong connections between fundamental and applied science. Chemical Physics is a dynamic and international environment that strives for scientific excellence through teamwork. The activity within heterogeneous catalysis is a part of the Competence Centre for Catalysis at Chalmers.

The theoretical activities at Chemical Physics focus on electronic structure calculations within density functional theory together with mean-field modeling and Monte-Carlo simulations for reaction kinetics. Theoretical spectroscopy is used together with experimental observations to explore fundamental reaction mechanisms and processes.

Major responsibilities

The PhD candidates will work in a larger project involving groups from Chalmers and Lund University where theory and experiments are used to study methanol synthesis from methane or carbon dioxide. In the theoretical part of the project, density functional theory calculations will be used to study chemical reactions on surfaces and nanoparticels. For certain reaction, mean field and Monte-Carlo schemes should be developed to elucidate the connection between micro- and macroscopic phenomena.

Position summary

Full-time temporary employment. The employment is composed of a maximum of four years full-time of doctoral studies plus a maximum of one year of department duties, including teaching, equivalent to a maximum of 20 % of the total working time. The employment is thus limited to a maximum of five years. The employment is tied to successful completion of department evaluations after one and three years.

Qualifications

To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree in Physics, Chemistry or Materials Science. The position requires good communication skills in written and spoken English. Applicants who do not have English or a Scandinavian language as their mother tongue need to provide documentation of  good communication skills in English, typically evidenced by an English language test, for example TOEFL 550 (paper-based)/TOEFL 213 (computer-based), and exemplified during the interview process prior to admission.

Application deadline: 31 May 2016

Apply via:

http://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=4053

For questions, please contact:

Professor Henrik Grönbeck ([email protected])

Associate professor Anders Hellman ([email protected])