Doctoral student in Chemistry with focus on Physical Chemistry

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Description

The Faculty of Health, Science, and Technology at Karlstad University invites applications for a doctoral studentship in Chemistry with specialisation in Physical Chemistry for a research project on molecular interactions in renewable feedstocks, with a focus on solvent systems, biocatalysis, and functional materials. The position is at the Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences.

Research activities in physical chemistry at Karlstad University include studies of molecular interactions in solution. We focus mainly on two types of systems. On the one side, blended films relevant for organic solar cells and similar; the project is part of a collaboration between chemists and materials physicists at Karlstad University. This research branch also comprises solution chemistry, drying, and finding new and more environmentally friendly solvents. On the other side, we study materials derived from biomass, including polymers and high-value-added small molecules, and the project is embedded in a collaboration between several universities and industries in Sweden within the Mission 0 House project. The research group is funded by the Swedish National Space Board and the Knowledge Foundation. The new doctoral student will be part of a research group that focuses on computational chemistry to study reactions, processes, and molecular structures.

The doctoral project will focus on the physical chemistry of biomass conversion and utilization, with emphasis on how lignin, cellulose, and biomass-derived molecules behave in different chemical environments and how these interactions control fractionation, solubilization, reactivity, and selectivity. It will also examine green solvents, solvent blends, and designer solvent systems that can improve biomass fractionation and the recovery of value-added chemicals.

The project aims to understand the structure-property relationships of recovered biomass-derived fractions, especially lignin-rich materials. The project will investigate how molecular features, such as monomer composition, interunit linkages, functional group content, and self-association, influence properties relevant to material use, including UV shielding, antioxidant activity, solubility, and compatibility in formulations, films, or composites. The work will use a computational-first approach, with experimental validation when useful, combining DFT, molecular dynamics, and multiscale modelling to connect molecular structure with reaction pathways, solvent behavior, and material properties. In addition, we will explore the role of biocatalysis in biomass processing.

The Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences, where the future doctoral student will be employed, offers courses for the program Drug Analysis – Bachelor Programme in Chemistry, MSc Programme in Chemical Engineering, and MSc Programme in Energy and Environmental Engineering.

If this description sounds interesting to you, we really look forward to your application!

Duties

As a doctoral student, you will primarily dedicate time to your own studies. The doctoral programme comprises 240 credits for a Degree of Doctor and 120 credits for a Degree of Licentiate. The doctoral appointment is a paid position that offers a combination of studies and work, and a great opportunity for a potential career in academia and industry. Doctoral students are expected to work independently and be prepared to contribute to the activities and development of the discipline and the department. You are given the opportunity to deepen your interests in collaboration with others. Teaching and administrative duties may also be included upon agreement, but will not constitute more than 20% of full-time. The work as a doctoral student allows for great freedom and flexibility in terms of how you organise your tasks. This requires commitment, drive and the ability to structure your work to successfully complete the doctoral thesis.

To contribute to a positive work environment and further both the department’s activities and your own development as a researcher, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Entry requirements and admission

To be eligible for a doctoral studentship, applicants must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, applicants must have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 39).

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in chemistry with specialization in physical chemistry, the applicant must have a degree at an advanced level in chemistry, or another subject for consideration deemed equivalent, which includes an independent project (thesis) at the advanced level, comprehensive at least 15 credits in the main field relevant for research training in Physical Chemistry. It is recommended that the scope of the independent work on the advanced level is at least 30 credits.

To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must be considered to have the ability required to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

Assessment criteria

The assessment of eligible applicants is based on the criteria listed below.

The assessment will focus on the applicant’s performance in previous studies, the quality of independent projects completed during these studies, proficiency in English, and whether the applicant intends to be a present and active part of the research environment.

Special weight is given to:

• Documented knowledge and skills in computational (bio)chemistry, molecular modelling, or simulations (DFT, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Docking, etc.).
• Proficient in oral and written English.
• Documented skills in academic writing.
• Ability to plan research work and critically assess and discuss research results.
• Ability to work in a structured way, independently, and in a group.

Considerable weight is given to:

• Personal qualities such as good cooperation, good judgment, responsibility, commitment, and a positive attitude towards colleagues.
• Documented knowledge in chemical thermodynamics and quantum chemistry.

Weight is given to:

• Relevant physical chemistry, biochemistry, or computational chemistry courses at the university level.

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position comprises four years of full-time studies consisting of research only. If teaching or other departmental duties become relevant, the appointment will be extended by a corresponding period, up to a maximum of five years full-time. The position is fixed-term, one year initially, followed by possible extensions of a maximum of two years at a time (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5). Start date of 1 October at the earliest, or by as agreed by both parties.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students and progresses in accordance with a local collective agreement.

Application

Submit the application via the university’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications. The application should include:

• A cover letter where the applicant details the reasons behind their interest in the position.
• A list of qualifications (CV).
• An account of language skills.
• Degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates.
• Copy of Master’s thesis or equivalent.
• Where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications.
• Any letters of recommendation.
• Two references, such as a teacher, supervisor, or previous or current superior.

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
HR-avdelningen
HR-administratör
651 88 Karlstad
SWEDEN

Application deadline: 2026-08-12

State the reference number: REK2026/82

Applicants with qualifications from abroad

If you have qualifications from a university outside Sweden or if they have not been recognised by a Swedish authority before, it is important that you attach degree certificates and official transcripts to facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications.
Provide a contact for the degree-awarding institution (phone number or email) who can verify your qualifications.

We look forward to your application!

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.

This translation carries no legal weight.

HR Excellence in Research
Karlstad University received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research award September 2020. The award is issued to employers with a stimulating work environment and good conditions for researchers and its continuous improvement. The award also conveys the university’s commitment to fair and transparent recruitment as well as favorable professional development for researchers. Read more: kau.se/hrs4r

1. Stefan Frodeson, [email protected]

1. Denita Gustavsson, OFR, [email protected]
2. Per Hurtig, Saco, [email protected]
3. Madeleine Wiker, OFR/S, Sveriges lärare, [email protected]