Project Description:
The project aims to develop and process new porous organic materials (POMs) from both traditional and bio-based organic monomers for applications in adsorption and heterogeneous catalysis. The research focuses on tailoring the structure and chemical composition of materials to enable selective capture of critical metals from leachate generated from secondary waste, such as electronic waste. Material processing into membranes and monoliths involves additive manufacturing and bottom-up methods, where final POM structures act both as ready adsorbents for noble metal recovery and as metal-enriched substrates for catalytic reactions. The project thus promotes the development of efficient, affordable, and sustainable sorbents while contributing to increased recycling of critical metals from secondary waste.
Work Tasks:
Tasks include fundamental and applied research focusing on synthesis and characterization of functional POMs, including metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and porous organic polymers (POPs), produced from both conventional and bio-based organic monomers. Processing these materials into standalone structures through additive manufacturing and bottom-up methods using, for example, nanocellulose. Additionally, evaluating materials' ability to capture noble metals from secondary waste leachate, including assessment of uptake capacity, kinetics, and adsorption mechanisms, and using metal-loaded materials for heterogeneous catalysis.
You are expected to work safely and independently in a laboratory environment and effectively collaborate in a large multidisciplinary group of chemists and materials researchers.
In addition to research, participation in supervising doctoral students, master's students, and project students, as well as communicating research results through scientific articles in well-established scientific journals and presentations at international conferences, are important aspects of the position. Some teaching involvement may also be included. You are expected to contribute to applications for external research funding.
Qualification Requirements:
For this position, a doctoral degree in chemistry, nanotechnology, or equivalent degree in a related field is required.
We require documented knowledge and several years of research experience in:
- Development of functional nanoporous materials (e.g., MOFs, COFs, and POPs)
- Studies of gas sorption phenomena in functional nanoporous materials
- Processing of polymers and nanoporous materials using laser and extrusion-based additive manufacturing, such as selective laser sintering (SLS) and direct-ink-writing (DIW)
- Evaluation of porous organic materials for noble metal capture from secondary waste
- Relevant analytical techniques, including gas adsorption, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
We also require excellent written and oral skills in English and excellent skills in writing scientific publications.
Desirable/Meritorious:
We place great importance on personal qualities such as good collaboration skills and communication abilities. You should be goal-oriented, structured, and able to work effectively both individually and in a group.
Application Submission:
Your application should include:
- Personal letter in English describing yourself and why you are suitable for this position
- CV (max 2 pages)
- Publication list
- Copies of three particularly relevant publications
- Copies of doctoral degree, master's degree, course grades, and other relevant qualifications
- A brief description/summary (max 300 words) of your doctoral thesis
- Electronic version of doctoral thesis (if available)
- Names and contact details of at least two references
About the Position:
This is a permanent full-time position with start date of February 1, 2026, or by agreement. Location: Uppsala.
Further information from:
Senior Lecturer Chao Xu,
[email protected]
Application deadline: November 28, 2025, UFV-PA 2025/3019
Note: This is a condensed version of the advertisement. Please refer to Uppsala University's website for the full listing.