Researcher in X-ray absorption spectroscopy of metal-organic frameworks for C-H activation

About the position

Position as Researcher in X-ray absorption spectroscopic characterisation of functional microporous solids for C-H activation available at Centre for Materials Science and  Nanotechnology (SMN), University of Oslo.

Starting date: as soon as possible, and preferably no later than 1st of November 2025.

The position is for a period of 1 year and is upwards limited to the project end date 31st of October 2026.

Project description

The position is associated with an EU funded ERC-Synergy Grant (ERC-SyG) project Unravelling the secrets of Cu-based catalysts for C-H activation (CUBE) (cubesynergy.eu). The aim of the CUBE project is to understand the key mechanistic features of copper-catalysed C-H activation via a holistic approach in which biological and synthetic catalysts are studied side by side. The ultimate goal is the 
selective production of methanol from CH4 and O2. A promising strategy is to incorporating bio-inspired catalytic motifs and second-sphere components in solid porous materials, combining heterogeneous and homogeneous catalytic approaches. The unprecedented tunability, stability and high surface area of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) make them attractive as solid framework for this purpose.

Metal complex and materials synthesis, characterisation, performance testing and mechanistic studies - using experimental and computational tools - are performed in a direct feed-back loop, involving organic and inorganic synthesis chemists, 
spectroscopists, computational chemists and enzymologists. The resulting design principles will be used to develop new catalysts with rationally designed functionality. CUBE is a joint project between the University of Oslo (Norway), the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norway), the University of Turin (Italy) and the Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion (Germany).

The successful candidate will be an integral member of the investigator team and work closely with researchers involved in both catalyst synthesis, testing, and simulation. Their focus shall be the X-ray absorption and/or emission spectroscopic interrogation of the Cu-based synthetic catalysts, with respect to both oxidation state and the local structure, providing important information and probe to support catalysts synthesis. In addition, they will be engaged in linking the catalyst performance to the copper microstructure through identifying the active species, and mapping out their speciation under reaction conditions, as supported through computational modelling.

The position will be part of the Section for Catalysis and Organic Chemistry. The Section for Catalysis and Organic Chemistry studies the correlation between catalyst composition/structure and their effects on chemical reactions. The catalysts can be of organic and/or inorganic origin. The section has approximately 35 members, sub-divided into groups focusing on the synthesis, characterisation and performance testing of porous materials, particularly metal-organic frameworks.

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

The Section for catalysis and organic chemistry has strong ties to the Hylleraas Centre for Quantum Molecular Science. Employment in the Section for Catalysis and Organic Chemistry will enable the successful candidates to work in a highly cross-disciplinary field in an internationally competitive research group.

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.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in chemistry, materials science, or a related field. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and completed defence are eligible for appointment.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
• The successful candidate must have documented experience in the following areas:
  • Significant experience in experimental X-ray absorption spectroscopy (both hands-on experience and data analysis).
  • Application of XAS spectroscopy for evaluating catalytic systems’ speciation.
  • Synchrotron radiation facilities or lab-scale XAS/XES instruments, including operando studies.
     

• Experience in developing sample environments, instrumentation, and methods.
• Ability of handling and interpreting large volumes of data.
• Mechanistic studies of reactions using heterogenous catalysts, particularly with the detection and quantification of reaction intermediates.
• Hands-on synthetic methods and sample handling under inert atmosphere.
• Characterisation methods, such as SEM-EDX, FT-IR, XRD, N2 physisorption, TGA, NMR, TEM and XPS.

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?

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work precise in a structured manner and swiftly adapts to new tasks
• Positive attitude and the ability to handle hectic periods
• Strong communication skills both written and oral.
• Willingness work together with Researchers, PhD candidates, and/or Master/Bachelor students in speciality field.
• Self-motivation, creativity, genuine curiosity about the subject, work discipline, professional ethics, and ambition.
• Ability to work accurately, in a demonstratable organised manner.

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

We can offer you

• Exciting and meaningful tasks in an organization with an important societal mission, contributing to knowledge development, education, and enlightenment that promote sustainable, fair, and knowledge-based societal development.
• Committed colleagues in a good working 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.
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes.
• Salary in position as Researcher, position code 1109 in salary range NOK from 595 000 - to 708 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund. 

Inclusive work life 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

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity)
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works 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.

Formal regulations

The best qualified candidates will be invited for interviews.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

Please see Rules for the use of research posts SKO 1108, 1109, 1110 and 1183 at UiO. 

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.