Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.
The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.
The Department of Physics are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join “The Organic Photonics and Electronics Group” (web: opeg-umu.com) at Umeå University, Sweden. The employment is full-time for two years with access 2025-05-01 or by agreement.
Project description and working tasks
You will be a part of the development of a larger effort aimed at the development of light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs). The LEC is a novel technology that is attracting interest from both academia and industry since it can be thin, lightweight and flexible, since it can be highly sustainable, and because it can be fabricated in its entirety by ambient-air printing. The unique and enabling feature of the LEC is the in-situ formation of a light-emitting p-i-n junction in the active material by electrochemical doping.
Your primary task will be the investigation of the exciton dynamics in this electrochemically formed doping structure, with the goal of establishing design guidelines for the realization of LECs with improved emission performance. For these investigations you will utilize a combination of advanced spectroscopy, electrochemistry and device design and development. You will collaborate closely with other members of the group as well as external academic and industrial partners. For information on relevant background research, please refer to our earlier publications: DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310156, doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-55954-3 and DOI: 10.1002/adma.202107849
This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science. Read more: https://wise-materials.org
All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Research School https://wise-materials.org/research-school/ an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.
Qualifications
To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.
To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.
The doctoral degree should be in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with a focus on organic electronics.
Additional requirements are:
Documented experience with advanced spectroscopy.
Documented experience with electrochemical measurements, such as cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry.
Documented experience with the development of emissive organic semiconductors and light-emitting devices.
Strong skills in written and spoken English.
Demonstrated early career achievements, including scientific publications.
Application
A full application should include:
Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) presenting your qualifications, research interests, motivation for application and future professional goals.
Curriculum vitae (CV) with publication list.
Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
Copy of doctoral thesis and up to 3 relevant articles,
Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.
Contact information to two persons willing to act as references.”
The application must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page.
*** Umeå University declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***
More information
The Organic Photonics and Electronics Group studies and develops advanced materials for the design, development, and realization of a wide range of functional, novel, and sustainable photonic and electronic devices. It currently comprises one Professor, one Associate Professor, three staff scientists, two post-docs, and six PhD students. The group is positioned at the Department of Physics at Umeå University; and it has through the department’s connection to KBC access to modern instrumentation for the fabrication and analysis of materials and devices (www.umu.se/en/chemical-biological-centre/kbc-scientific-infrastructures).
Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.
We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.
