The PhD student position will be placed at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Division of Physical Chemistry. The division is pursuing research in biophysical chemistry, optical spectroscopy, electrophoresis, and energy/electron transfer reactions. The projects are chosen to fulfill the requirements of the highest scientific standard, and the know-how they create on a molecular level is generally of importance for solving many advanced problems as well as for future practical applications. The span of potential applications is extremely wide: from life sciences to materials sciences. 

The position involves the design and characterization of novel photochromic (supra)molecules. Photochromic molecules can be isomerized between two forms using light. Upon isomerization, a large number of molecular properties change dramatically, such as the structure, charge distribution, refractive index, excitation energies, and redox properties. In this project, the main objective will be to use the photochromic activity for the “on-off” switching of energy- and electron transfer reactions. The systems that will be studied aim at the realization of photoswitched DNA-based opto-fibers, photochromic white-light generation and color tuning, molecular logic devices (memories, logic gates etc.), and photonic control of supramolecular complex-formation.

The techniques that will be used are mainly UV/vis absorption and emission spectroscopy in the steady-state and the time-resolved regimes.

The position is limited to maximum five years, which corresponds to full-time research studies during four years. In addition, teaching in the undergraduate or masters curricula at Chalmers could be included corresponding to one year, teaching work distributed over the whole time of the position.

A suitable background is a M.Sc. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Physics, or an equivalent education.

You are expected to work relatively independently, have ability to plan and organize your work, and be able to communicate your scientific results, both orally and in writing, in English.

For further information, please contact Associate Professor Joakim Andréasson. The starting date of the position is flexible.
Phone: +46 (0)31 772 28 38
e-mail: a-son@chalmers.se

• SACO: Jan Lindér
• ST: Marie Wenander
• SEKO: Johan Persson

All reachable via Chalmers exchange: +46 31 772 10 00