PhD Stipend/Integrated PhD Stipend In Computational Materials Chemistry

PhD Stipend/Integrated PhD Stipend In Computational Materials Chemistry

At Aalborg University (AAU), Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a PhD stipend/Integrated PhD stipend is available within the PhD study program of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering. The stipend is open for appointment from 1 September 2025 or soon hereafter. The stipend is available for 3 or 4 years depending on whether the applicant already holds a master’s degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree can apply for a 3-year position and applicants who have finished 4 years of full-time studies but do not hold a Master’s degree can apply for a 4 years PhD stipend (Integrated PhD stipend). The Integrated PhD stipend is only open for appointment with starting date 1 September 2025. The workplace is Aalborg. Do you want to be part of a young, dynamic research group working on designing the next generation of sustainable energy materials using computational chemistry and machine learning? If yes, we look forward to reading your application to our PhD Stipend/Integrated PhD Stipend.

A PhD stipend or integrated PhD stipend in computational materials chemistry is available. Development of new sustainable energy materials, including materials for improved battery technologies, is required for our transition to a carbon neutral society. Computational materials chemistry allows us to accelerate the design and discovery of new materials, but often important effects of temperature and disorder are neglected.

The PhD project is part of the Villum Young Investigator project titled “Entropy in materials design: Accelerated discovery of disordered solid electrolytes”, which focuses on developing computational predictions of disordered crystalline materials and applying these to discover novel solid-state electrolytes for batteries. Thus, the prospective PhD student should have an interest in working in a collaborative team with a common focus on computational materials science.

This PhD project will focus on developing methods combining density functional theory calculations with machine learning to predict finite temperature stability of materials by including vibrational and substitutional disorder. In collaboration with other team members, these methods will be applied to design disordered solid electrolytes.

The PhD student will be part of the computational materials chemistry group led by Tenure-Track Assistant Professor, Kasper Tolborg, within the Section of Disordered Materials, which offers state-of-the-art computational and experimental infrastructure and facilitates a dynamic work environment and interdisciplinary collaborations.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. We value diversity and see it as a strength.

Requirements:

• A master's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, nanoscience, or a closely related field is required for the PhD Stipend. Individuals who have not yet completed a master’s degree and who wish to begin the PhD study in connection with the master’s study can apply for the Integrated PhD Stipend.
• Strong competence in materials chemistry and excellent analytical skills.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g. in Python).
• Excellent oral and written English language skills.
• Experience with machine learning, density functional theory calculations and/or molecular dynamics simulations is considered highly advantageous.
• Strong collaborative skills, team spirit and the ability to also work independently.

You may obtain further information from Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Kasper Tolborg, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, email: kato@bio.aau.dk, concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend.

Application:

The application must contain: (1) Cover letter of 1-2 pages describing the motivation for applying and an account of the applicant’s background in relation to the announced position; (2) Project description; (3) CV; (4) Diploma and transcripts of records; and (5) Other relevant information such as references/recommendation letters.

Integrated PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who have not yet completed a Master’s degree and who wish to begin the PhD study in connection with the Master study. The integrated stipend consists of two parts, A and B. During part A you are enrolled simultaneously in the Master’s programme and in the PhD programme. The stipend consists of two SU-PhD Grants per month (SU=The Danish students’ Grants and Loans Scheme). SU-PhD Grants are paid for a maximum of two years. One SU-PhD grant equals DKK 7086 (2025 level). When the Master’s degree has been obtained, you will be employed for two years as a PhD fellow according to the present collective agreement. Part B has a maximum duration of two years.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years.

It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts. Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities. Allocation of SU-PhD Grants are according to the Ministerial Order on the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme part 12, section II.

The application is only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.