1-3 PhD students in materials science with a focus on cementitious materials

The Department of Applied Physics and Electronics is looking for one to three doctoral students within the framework of the Research School for Excellence in Materials Science for Cement-Based Materials (RECEM), which is funded by the Swedish Research Council. The postgraduate studies are expected to lead to a doctoral degree in Applied Physics . Starting date for the position is September 1st 2026 or according to agreement. Last day for submitting your application is February 28th 2026.

About the Research School for Excellence in Materials Science for Cement-Based Materials (RECEM) 
The Research School for Excellence in Materials Science for Cement-Based Materials (RECEM) focuses on materials science within the entire value chain for cement-based materials, including raw material extraction, slag recycling and innovation in cement with low carbon emissions. In total, the research school will have 14 doctoral students who participate in courses and activities within the research school at Umeå University, Luleå University of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, and the synchrotron MAX IV Laboratory at Lund University. RECEM is funded by the Swedish Research Council and coordinated by Umeå University.

The doctoral students at Umeå University will belong to a research group active in the field of cement-based materials and materials science in thermochemical transformation at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics with several years of experience in the field. In addition to the research group's own resources, the doctoral student will use various experimental platforms within the Chemical Biological Center (KBC) as well as national research infrastructures through MAX IV Laboratory, SciLifeLab, ARTEMI, and InfraVis.

Project description
The doctoral projects span several central questions within cement-based materials with a focus on mineral transformation at high temperatures. The research includes, among other things, how the production of cement-based materials is affected by electrified processes that reduce carbon dioxide emissions, how trace elements such as rare earth metals are bound in the materials, and exploring materials and products with state-of-the-art analytical techniques in laboratories and at synchrotrons.

The position is for four years of postgraduate studies, which involves own research and participation in courses at the postgraduate level. The start date is September 1, 2026 or as agreed.

Qualifications
To be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have basic eligibility through a degree at advanced level, have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (ECTSs), of which at least 60 ECTS at advanced level, or have otherwise acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

To meet the requirement for special eligibility to be admitted to postgraduate education the applicant must also have completed at least 120 ECTS in in the field of physics, chemistry, materials science, energy technology, or other subjects that are considered to be directly relevant for the postgraduate education.

The requirements for prior knowledge as above are also considered to be met by those who have acquired equivalent knowledge in another order within or outside the country and which can be proven. The requirements must be met at the time of admission, but do not have to be met when you submit your application.

Other requirements
We are looking for candidates who have a special interest in contributing to a necessary transformation of material production that is important to society with direct benefits for the climate. The candidate should have a genuine interest in understanding how cement-based materials and related processes work in-depth, from substitution in structures at the atomic level to effects on materials in larger processes.

Good skills in English, both spoken and written, are required. To succeed in this four-year project, the candidate must be meticulous, have logical thinking and good problem-solving skills.

Merits
Practical experience of cement-related processes is a merit. Furthermore, documented experience of various experimental techniques in X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, thermodynamics, or electron microscopy as well as knowledge of basic programming are meritorious.

Consideration will also be given to good cooperation skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through their experience and competence, is judged to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral program.

About the position
The position is aimed at a doctoral degree and the doctoral student's main task is to devote himself to his doctoral education, which includes participation in the research projects described above as well as in doctoral education courses. The duties may include teaching and other departmental work (maximum 20%). The position is limited in time to four years full-time or up to five years for teaching or departmental work.

Salary placement is according to the established salary scale for doctoral student employment. Place of study is Umeå, with a start date of September 1, 2026 or by agreement.

Application
You apply via our recruitment system Varbi where you can submit your application until 2026-02-28. The application must consist of the following documents written in English (preferably) or Swedish:

• Brief description of why you are applying for the position and how your qualifications and experience are relevant to the project described above (maximum two pages),
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Copy of degree certificate including documentation of completed university courses, grades and any additional certificates or attestations that are relevant to the project,
• Copy of degree thesis and any publications (maximum five),
• Names and contact information for at least two references

The application, including attached documents, must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system Varbi. Documents sent electronically must be in PDF format. The application deadline is 2026-02-28.

More information
For more information, please contact Professor Markus Broström (email: markus.brostrom@umu.se) or Associate Professor Nils Skoglund (email: nils.skoglund@umu.se)

About us
The Department of Applied Physics and Electronics (TFE) has 110 employees and is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology. The doctoral programmes at TFE includes three subject areas: energy technology, applied electronics, and applied physics, with approximately 20 current doctoral students. The department also hosts two centers: the Center for Medical Technology (CMTF) and the Center for Sustainable Production of Cement and Quicklime (CHECK). A large part of the energy research is conducted within the research environment Thermochemical Energy Conversion Laboratory (TEC-Lab), which also hosts the graduate school RECEM and MAXS, a platform for X-ray diffraction. Read more about our doctoral programs by clicking here, and more about the research environment TEC-lab by clicking here.