Postdoc in Synthetic Physical Materials Chemistry (Magnetocaloric Materials)

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering at Faculty of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University invites applications for a position at the intelligent Advanced Materials group led by Prof. Dr. Anja-Verena Mudring as a Postdoc in the field of synthetic physical materials chemistry as per the 1 January 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a 3-year full-time position.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 3–year position from 1 January 2024 or as soon possible.

This is a fixed-term position to end on 31 December 2026.

Project Context

The intelligent Advanced Materials group at the Department of Bio- and Chemical Engineering, led by Prof. Dr. Anja-Verena Mudring is currently exploring new materials for energy-related applications for a sustainable society. Sustainability is one of our basic requirements. Thus, the development of clean technology that minimizes our environmental impact is of utmost importance.

 The applications in focus here are magnetic cooling and magnetoelectrics. Syntheses of these with state-of-the-art chemical techniques and advanced characterization methods Project Context

The intelligent Advanced Materials group at the Department of Bio- and Chemical Engineering, led by Prof. Dr. Anja-Verena Mudring is currently exploring new materials for energy-related applications for a sustainable society. Sustainability is one of our basic requirements. Thus, the development of clean technology that minimizes our environmental impact is of utmost importance.

The applications in focus here are magnetic cooling and magnetoelectrics. Syntheses of these with state-of-the-art chemical techniques and advanced characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction, neutron scattering, electron microscopy, measurement of transport properties such as heat and electron conductivity as well as theoretical modelling are important in advancing the field.

Job description

As Postdoc your position is primarily research based. You will contribute, both independently and in collaboration with others, to the development of the department’s field of study through research of high international quality. You will work closely together with both Danish and international colleagues.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Solid state synthesis and crystal growth for application as magnetocalorics.
• Structural characterisation by x-ray and neutron diffraction.
• Property characterisation using a physical property measurement system (PPMS) and a SQUID magnetometer (MPMS).
• Establishing structure-property relationships and pushing the frontiers of the field.
• Data analysis and interpretation, including theoretical modelling.
• Collaborating nationally and internationally within your field of research.
• Dissemination of your research to the outside world.

Your profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in chemistry/physics/materials science or an equivalent domain. You are expected to have proven scientific excellence.

The candidate should have documented experience of synthetic solid state and materials chemistry and have at least 2 years of post-graduate experience in the field of chemistry, materials science or solid state chemistry. Additionally, the candidate should have documented the experience by having published in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in a variety of solid state synthesis techniques such as arc-melting, flux reactions and high temperature synthesis, in powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, electron microscopy, thermal analysis, materials property characterization (PPMS and MPMS), property prediction with theoretical tools.

As a person, you are independent, reliable and possess good communication and interpersonal skills. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

Who we are

The Institute of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE) has strong research sections in Environmental Engineering and Materials & Process Engineering. Close collaboration with our neighboring Departments (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Molecular Biology & Genetics, iNano, Biosciences, Food, Agroecology, and Chemistry) is a natural part of our culture. The successful applicant will be working with Chemical Engineering and will produce and disseminate knowledge and research results. Translation of results into solving relevant societal challenges is a highly prioritized part of our work.

The research will be conducted in the Materials & Process Engineering section.  The research focus of the section is almost entirely on developing new sustainable solutions, materials, and processes for the green transition.

The position is funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark through Prof. Anja-Verena Mudring’s Villum Investigator grant, Enabling energy-efficient refrigeration through new magnetocaloric materials. See mudring.org for more information about iAM’s research activities. Recent related publications from the group:

• Solubility limits, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of MoB-type GdCoxNi1− x (0.47≤ x≤ 0.72)
• Magnetic phase diagram of the solid solution LaMn2 (Ge1− x Si x) 2 (0≤ x≤ 1) unraveled by powder neutron diffraction

What we offer

This section may include topics such as:

The department/centre offers:

• a burgeoning research infrastructure, laboratories and access to state-of-the art equipment
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a work environment encouraging lively, open and critical discussion
• a workplace characterised by professionalism and a healthy life-work integration

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Åbogade 40, 8200 Aarhus N, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments. 

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Professor Anja Verena Mudring, anja-verena.mudringbce.au.dk.

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 16 October 2023.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/