Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Chemistry programme. The position is available from August 2025 or later.
Title:
Investigating Disorder in Energy Materials Using Solid-State NMR
Research area and project description:
The Center for Sustainable Energy Materials (CENSEMAT) invites applications for a PhD position to explore the role of structural disorder in energy materials. This project will contribute to the center's innovative approach of designing new, sustainable materials for energy technologies like batteries, supercapacitors, and thermoelectrics.
Energy materials, while often crystalline, exhibit local structural disorder that significantly influences their properties, particularly in their ability to store and convert energy. The interaction between this disorder and material performance remains an unexplored area. In this project, you will utilize solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to investigate the atomic-scale structure and local environments of energy materials, shedding light on how disorder impacts their function. The unique ability of NMR to probe local atomic coordination in ordered and disordered materials will provide invaluable insights into materials' behavior during operation.
Furthermore, the PhD candidate will explore synergies between NMR and Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis. Both NMR and PDF provide detailed local structural information, but while NMR is element specific, the PDF superimposes all coordination information. In contrast X-ray and neutron diffraction reveal the average long-range structural framework of the materials. Combining these techniques will enable a more holistic understanding of how local and long-range disorder interact and affect material properties. This combined approach is poised to revolutionize how we design and optimize energy materials.
The successful candidate will work with a dynamic team of researchers in an engaging research environment in CENSEMAT at Aarhus University. You will have access to state-of-the-art material synthesis and characterization facilities hereunder NMR and X-ray instrumentation. You will also engage in collaborative research with international partners at Oxford University and TU Wien.
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a background in chemistry, particularly in materials science, spectroscopy, or solid-state chemistry. Experience in NMR or diffraction techniques is advantageous but not required. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research that will help drive the green energy transition by discovering and developing sustainable energy materials.
For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. When - as here - you apply for a specific project, please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree or at least one year of a Master’s degree in chemistry, nanoscience, physics or a closely related subject. Experience
in materials science, spectroscopy, or solid-state chemistry is considered a plus.
In order to assess if you are well qualified for the position, we strongly encourage you to contact Prof. Jørgen Skibsted (e-mail: jskib@chem.au.dk), prior to submitting a formal application.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Chemistry, Langelandsgade 140, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Professor Jørgen Skibsted, jskib@chem.au.dk
How to apply:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.
When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 March 2025)
Please note:
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
