job description
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PhD students in Physics (GREENS, focus on Life Cycle Assessment, Soft Matter Lab)
Project
The University of Gothenburg responds to societal challenges with diverse knowledge. 56,000 students and 6,600 employees make the University of Gothenburg a large and inspiring place to work and study. Researchers and students from all over the world are attracted to the University by its strong research capabilities and attractive study programs. The University contributes to a better future with new knowledge and perspectives.
PhD position in Physics (GREENS, focusing on Life Cycle Assessment, Soft Matter Laboratory)
The Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg is located in the center of Gothenburg and employs about 100 people. The department is well connected nationally and internationally. Research focuses on the areas of atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics and spintronics, complex systems and biophysics, and a wide range of national and international collaborations in an international environment. The department’s educational programs include Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in physics, teacher training courses in physics, and outreach courses in physics for the general public. The Gothenburg Physics Center works closely with the Faculty of Science and the other three departments of Chalmers University of Technology to create an innovative environment for all researchers and students in the department.
For more information about the Department of Physics, please visit our website at www.physics.gu.se/english. For more information about the Gothenburg Physics Center, please visit www.chalmers.se/en/centres/gpc/Pages/default.aspx.
For general information about PhD students at the University of Gothenburg, please visit our PhD students page at www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies.
Responsibilities
The research will be carried out within a group at the University of Gothenburg led by Giovanni Volpe. The group focuses on soft matter, optical tweezers, statistical physics and machine learning.
We are offering a PhD position within the framework of the Horizon Europe MSCA-Doctoral Network “GREENS: A Training Program for the Implementation of 5R in the Design, Fabrication and Application of Micro and Nanorobotic Platforms (GREENS)”. The project is funded by the European Union (GA: 101169173). For information about the PhD network, please visit the website https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101169173.
We are looking for a PhD student at the Department of Physics, University of Gothenburg. The applicant will be involved in the preparation of a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) focusing on sustainable product design and material life cycle analysis, enhanced by AI-driven optimization.
The PhD program consists of four years of full-time study leading to a PhD degree.
As part of your doctoral work, you may be required to undertake departmental work equivalent to 20% of your full-time work, which is spread throughout the duration of your studies and results in a commensurately longer study period. Departmental work usually includes teaching in Key Stages 1 and 2, but may also include research and administration.
In accordance with MSCA regulations, PhD students are obliged to work exclusively for the GREENS PhD network during the 36 months funded by the PhD network fund.
offer requirements
Eligibility
Candidates should preferably have a Master’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Sustainability and Circular Economy or a closely related discipline.
In order to be eligible for MSCA funding, applicants must not have resided in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the date of application at the time of application [mobility requirement]. In addition, applicants must be in the first four years of their research career (equivalent to full-time research experience) and not yet have received a PhD [Early Career Researcher Requirement].
We are looking for talented, motivated and committed individuals.
Candidates must be flexible and keen to work as part of a large team, as well as have the ability to work independently and have good written and oral communication skills in English.
Candidates must have documented experience in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) software, material and process selection, hot spot analysis, and end-of-life assessment.
PhD education requires general and, where appropriate, specific qualifications as set out in the general syllabus for the discipline.
The general qualifications required for the PhD degree are as follows
Completion of the second stage of the degree program, or
Completion of course requirements totaling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at Stage II level, or
have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad.
To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle study, applicants must
have a second-cycle (advanced) degree in a relevant subject area* in the natural sciences, or
have completed at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits of study in a relevant subject area in the natural sciences, or
have completed an appropriate course of study in Sweden or another country relevant to the planned third-cycle program, or have an equivalent qualification.
*Related to the planned third cycle of education
Specific entry requirements also include acceptable proficiency in spoken and written English. Guidelines for assessing English language proficiency may include a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL (or 213 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 on the TOEFL-iBT).
Assessment Criteria
Applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be screened on the basis of their ability to absorb the doctoral program.
In the assessment, special emphasis will be given to documented qualifications concerning experience in the use of statistical tools such as Python, R or MATLAB, as well as databases such as Ecoinvent, GREET or MatWeb and life cycle assessment software (e.g. SimaPro, OpenLCA, GaBi, Brightway2).
Combined experience in recycling, biodegradability, circular economy, waste management strategies, and data-driven decision making for sustainable development is desirable.
Knowledge of ISO standards for LCA methodologies (ISO 14040, ISO 14044) is preferred.
offer benefits/salary
Enrollment and Employment
Once admitted to the PhD program, you will be employed as a PhD student at the University of Gothenburg.
The regulations governing the employment of doctoral students can be found in SFS 1993:100.
Doctoral students are employed for a maximum period of one year for initial employment and for a maximum period of two years for each renewal.
Ph.D. students may be employed as doctoral students for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education.
Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 4 years full-time Duration: 100 % Location: Department of Physics, Gothenburg First day of employment: May 1, 2025 or as agreed
The University applies the local graduate salary agreement. In this case, the MSCA-DN guidelines will also be taken into account.
Please note that the pursuit of a doctoral degree in the Department of Physics requires physical presence on campus. The Department of Physics reserves the right to revoke an admission decision if the accepted applicant requires a higher education residence permit to continue his/her studies in Sweden and the applicant is unable to present a valid residence permit prior to the start of his/her studies.
Contact information
Prof. Giovanni Volpe, 031-786 9137, [email protected]
Trade Unions
For trade union representation at the University of Gothenburg, please visit: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande
Application
You can apply for a PhD degree via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.
Please apply online and your application should include: – Cover letter stating the reasons for applying for the position – Curriculum vitae including published scientific papers – Copies of examination certificates – Two references (name, phone number, relationship)
It is your responsibility to ensure that the application form is completed in full in accordance with the requirements of this circular and that it is received by the University by the final application deadline.
Applications must be received by the following dates 31-03-2025
Information for International Applicants
Choosing a career in a foreign country is a major move. Therefore, in order to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer you and your family/spouse/partner in terms of benefits and life, please visit the following website:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services https://www.movetogothenburg.com/