There is a vacancy for a PhD position in cheminformatics and molecular design at Department of Chemistry. The position is allocated to an interdisciplinary project within energy transition funded by the University of Bergen and involves close collaboration, and co-supervision of the PhD student, between Department of Chemistry and Department of Department of Informatics. The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with compulsory other work (e.g., teaching duties).
About the project/work tasks:
The project group develops leading cheminformatics-based methods for molecular design, in which molecules are evolved to exhibit desired properties using evolutionary algorithms. Working at the interface between chemistry and informatics, the PhD student will add specific new capabilities to these design methods and, among other things, draw upon concepts of machine learning (a project-group strength) to improve convergence toward molecules with superior properties and principles of software design (another project-group strength) to implement the new capabilities in effective computer programs.
The PhD student will also use the new methods and programs to predict new catalysts for transformation of nitrogen and water to ammonia. Ammonia is the basis for the fertilizer production on which much of the world’s food supply relies and is also a very promising carbon-free energy carrier projected to help reduce CO2 emissions in particular in the transport sector. The project will help realize this potential by identifying catalysts for a water-based, benign, and sustainable ammonia production process that could replace the current energy-intensive and CO2-emitting production process (Haber-Bosch).
A more detailed description of the position is available.
Qualifications and personal qualities:
- Applicants must either hold a master’s degree or the equivalent in chemistry or other molecular or materials sciences (including interdisciplinary fields such as nanoscience, bioinformatics, and cheminformatics). Master students can apply provided they complete their final master exam before 22.12.2021. It is a condition of employment that the master’s degree has been awarded.
- The candidate must have a background in quantum and/or classical molecular modeling, with documented experience in practical applications of such modeling.
- Experience with modeling of transition metal compounds is an advantage.
- Experience or training in cheminformatics is an advantage.
- Experience with scripting languages is required.
- Experience with object-oriented programming and code development is an advantage.
- Experience in data analysis and/or machine learning is an advantage.
- The successful candidate must have
- Well-developed critical thinking and writing skills.
- The ability to work independently, in a structured manner, and also be able to cooperate with others.
- Proficiency in both written and oral English.
Personal qualities and social skills will count in the assessment of the applicants. Ambitions and potential for scientific career will also be considered and given substantial weight.
About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):
As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.
We can offer:
- A good and professionally stimulating working environment
- Salary at pay grade 54 (Code 1017/Pay range 20, alternative 10) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK 491 200. Further promotions are made according to length of service in the position.
- Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
- Good welfare benefits
Your application must include:
- A brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
- The names and contact information for two reference persons. One of these must be the main advisor for the master’s thesis or equivalent thesis
- CV
- Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not yet completed your master’s degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming the expected date of award of your master’s degree. Your master’s degree must be documented with transcripts and/or diploma, alternatively a confirmation from your institution on completed degree and your grade, by 22.12.2021.
- Relevant certificates/references
- Approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
- A list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list)
- Any publications in your name
- The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.
General information:
For further details about the position, please contact Prof. Vidar R. Jensen (Department of Chemistry, phone +47-55583489 / e-mail Vidar.Jensen@uib.no) or Assoc. Prof. David Grellscheid (Department of Informatics, phone +47-55584147/ e-mail David.Grellscheid@uib.no).
The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. Age and gender balance among employees is therefore a goal. It is also a goal to recruit people with immigrant backgrounds. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.
The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.
Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.
For further information about the recruitment process, click here.
Life as a PhD candidate at UiB
Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.https://www.youtube.com/embed/nrtp6VxMeJ4?autoplay=0&modestbranding=1&playsinline=0&rel=0&start=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jobbnorge.no&widgetid=2
About The University of Bergen
The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.
There are seven departments and several centres at Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.