PhD student in phosphorus-based photoswitches Full-time NEW

PhD Student In Phosphorus-Based Photoswitches

Uppsala University, Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory

The Department of Chemistry – Ångström conducts research and education in the chemistry field. The department has more than 270 employees and has a turnover of 300 million SEK. At the department's five programs, we conduct very successful research of a high international standard. We have a large number of externally funded research projects, often with international cooperation and we see continued good growth in our subject area. The department has education assignments in engineering programs and master's programs.

Duties: We are recruiting a PhD student to the Crespi group at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory for the Swedish Research Council-funded project “Hemiphosphaindigos: New Gears for Molecular Machines” (2026-04728). The project explores how phosphorus can be used to control light-induced structural changes in organic molecules and to develop new photoswitches and molecular motors.

The PhD student will primarily design and synthesize new phosphorus-containing indigoid chromophores, purify and characterize the products using techniques including NMR and mass spectrometry, and investigate their photochemical properties. Experiments will include UV-Vis spectroscopy, irradiation studies, photostationary-state analysis, quantum-yield measurements and thermal kinetics. A central goal is to connect molecular structure and phosphorus functionalization with isomerization efficiency and stability.

In later stages, the student will contribute to studies of directional molecular motion and the effects of supramolecular confinement on photochemistry. Advanced time-resolved spectroscopy and computational chemistry will be integrated through expertise within the group and international collaborations, with opportunities for training in complementary methods. Duties also include doctoral coursework, publication and presentation of results. Teaching may be included according to departmental arrangements.

Requirements: To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• have been awarded a second-cycle degree in chemistry or a closely related discipline, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master's level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

The candidate must have:

• very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• practical experience of organic synthesis, purification and structural characterization from a degree project or research project, and the ability to plan, document and interpret laboratory experiments carefully and safely.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant's experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Additional qualifications: Experience in organophosphorus or other main-group chemistry, photochemistry or photochromism, UV-Vis or NMR spectroscopy, reaction kinetics or supramolecular chemistry is an advantage. Previous work with photosensitive or chiral molecules or quantum-chemical calculations is also relevant. Applicants are not expected to have expertise in all these areas.

About the employment: The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting 1 February 2027 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

The application should include a cover letter explaining your motivation and relevant laboratory experience, a CV, degree certificates and transcripts, a Master's thesis or equivalent written research work, and contact details for two referees.

For further information about the position, please contact: Stefano Crespi, stefano.crespi@kemi.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 31 December 2026, UFV-PA 2026/3468.