PhD Research Fellow in Chemistry-focus on Experiments in Chemical Kinetics and Heterogeneous Catalys

About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Chemistry with focus on Experiments in Chemical Kinetics and Heterogeneous Catalysis is available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN).

Starting date no later than 01.01.2026 or as soon as possible.

The fellowship period is three years.

A fourth year may be considered and it will involve 25 % of other career-promoting work. Other career-promoting work may consist of teaching, supervi-sion, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the Department of Chemistry.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

Place of work is Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) at Blindern, Oslo.

Job description

The transition from a fossil-based to a circular production of consumer goods requires the development of new chemical processes, especially for the energy-efficient and sustainable conversion of carbon-containing biomass, biogas, and CO2 into higher value products.

In this position, the candidate will contribute to the research project “ZeoCAT: Zeotype-based Catalysts to produce consumables and fuels from recycled CO2 feedstock” funded by the Research Council of Norway. The project aims to advance fundamental insight into the structure-composition-function correlations that govern the performance of heterogeneous catalysts in reactions relevant to the Cyclic Carbon Economy: CO2 hydrogenation with green hydrogen into commodity chemicals and long-term energy storage molecules. The project is focused on tandem catalysts containing active sites for both, the conversion of CO2 into C1-C2 intermediates like methanol and their subsequent coupling into larger hydrocarbon molecules.

The candidate will conduct catalytic experiments using advanced transient methods based on mass-spectrometry and develop mathematical models to interpret these data in terms of molecular mechanisms. International collaborations and experiments at synchrotron facilities will be integral part of the project.

The Section of Catalysis and Organic Chemistry, in general, studies the correlation between catalyst composition/structure and their effects on chemical reactions. The section has approximately 35 members, subdivided into several groups, depending on the type of catalytic systems under study, various aspects of the subject (e.g. synthesis, characterization, or reaction studies) and/or methodology (e.g. experiments vs. theory). This position will be closely integrated with researchers and engineers who develop, support, and/or execute experiments in catalytic reactors and spectroscopic cells.

The Section for Catalysis and Organic Chemistry is part of the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) - an interdisciplinary collaboration between five research fields in physics and chemistry, which spearheads the MN Faculty's efforts for sustainable energy solutions. The Centre comprises UiO’s focus on renewable energy, materials science, and nanotechnology.

What skills are important in this role?

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Qualification requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering or a closely related field
• The basic understanding (undergraduate level) of transport phenomena (i.e. mass transport) and reaction kinetics, especially in the area of catalysis by porous materials
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Desired qualifications:

• Prior hands-on experience with vacuum equipment, mass-spectrometry, catalytic reactors and/or gas-flow systems is highly beneficial
• Experience with and knowledge of mathematical modeling techniques (numerical solution of Partial Differential Equations)

Language requirement:

• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
  https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.

What are we looking for in you?

Personal skills:

• The ability to work effectively within a diverse group of researchers
• The ability to balance self-reliance and independence with the ability to follow-up on the tasks delegated by the supervisor
• Motivation to become an independent researcher and clear career goals
• Readiness to travel internationally for scientific missions and research stays abroad

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We can offer you

• A pleasant and stimulating work environment
• Good welfare schemes
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities
• Career development programmes
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 550 800 - 595 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund 

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

We hope that you will apply for the position.

More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here. 

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation for this position and how you meet the qualification requirements above, and research interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Transcrips of records, copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma (see below)
• Letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency if applicable
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.  

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.