About this role
About the position Position as PhD Research Fellow in Solid-state electrochemistry available at the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) , Department of Chemistry , University of Oslo. Starting date no later than October 1, 2026. The fellowship period is three years. A fourth year maybe considered and it will involve 25 percent of other career-promoting work. Other career-promoting work may consist of teaching, supervision, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department. No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Place of work is Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) at Blindern, Oslo. Job description The PhD Research Fellow is a part of HYDROGENi , a national Norwegian Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) dedicated to the research and innovations within hydrogen and ammonia crucial for reaching the 2030 and 2050 goals of the Norwegian hydrogen road map. The Centre is coordinated by SINTEF, with University of Oslo (UiO) as one of the partners. The PhD candidate will be affiliated with the Electrochemistry group at the Department of Chemistry which consists of around 25 highly dedicated professors, researchers, postdocs, PhD Research Fellows, engineers, admin, master and exchange students. The group is located in the new Life Science Building which offers modern research facilities. The group is among the world-leading in solid-state electrochemistry and materials science of proton-conducting oxides for electrochemical energy conversion technologies such as proton ceramic fuel cells and electrolysers. These technologies are central in the transition to renewable energy and in the electrification of industrial processes. The PhD Research Fellowship will broadly address mixed ionic/electronic conducting oxygen/steam electrodes, where the group have extensive activities in novel perovskites combined with exsolution of metal nanoparticles. The goal of the PhD will be to seek mechanistic insight into the electrode polarization processes as well as strategies for improving performance by optimization of composition, microstructure, and the interface to the proton-conducting electrolyte. The content of the PhD Research Fellowship can be tailored according to the qualifications and academic interest of top candidates including the possibility for combining experimental, simulation and theoretical methods. The PhD Research Fellowship will exist in an innovative environment with the possibility for collaboration with a range of academic and development projects on related topics, in particular with CoorsTek Membrane Sciences AS which is a leading technology developer of proton ceramic electrochemical cells and partner in the HYDROGENi project. The Electrochemistry group is part of SMN, which is an interdisciplinary research centre in materials science and nanotechnology at UiO. The Centre is an international leader in basic science within functional materials and nanoscience, with applications within renewable energy, materials science, and nanotechnology. What skills are important in this role? The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials. Required qualifications: Master’s degree or equivalent in solid state or inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, materials physics or materials science Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system Fluent oral and written communication skills in English For 4-year position: sufficient oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language to contribute to teaching at the department’s bachelor courses Candidates without a master’s degree have until September 30, 2026 to complete the final exam. Desired qualifications: Experience in synthesis, fabrication and characterization of electrochemical cells (e.g., solid oxide fuel cells) or materials therein. Experience with analysis of electrical, kinetic or electrochemical properties, e.g., using isotope exchange techniques or electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Experience with advanced structural and spectroscopic characterization using synchrotron beam-line facilities. Language requirement: Good oral and written communication skills in English English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements: https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8 Grade requirements: The norm is as follows: The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system For more information see: The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation. What are we looking for in you? Personal skills: Ability to work both independently and in an interdisciplinary scientific environment Ability to work in a structured manner towards high-quality research Interest to collaborate with PhD and/or Master/Bachelor students in a specialty field Good communication and collaboration skills Employment in the position is bas