PostDoc position in triplet-triplet annihilation photon upconversion, towards new molecular systems

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology conducts high-quality research and education in chemical sciences and molecular life sciences. Our research and education focuses on a deep understanding of chemical and biological processes in cells and in the environment. We are responsible for postgraduate education in the subject area Natural Sciences with a focus on chemistry, biophysics, biology and educational science. In addition, the department hosts educational programs in molecular biology, genomics and systems biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as prescription education. The department is an international environment with interdisciplinary collaborations in both research and education and contributes strongly to the University of Gothenburg's top ranking in life science. We are located in central premises at Natrium, Medicinareberget, Gothenburg.

In the research group of Prof. Börjesson, the fundamentals of photophysical systems are studied. Furthermore, are new concepts within photophysical chemistry derived, and physical-organic chemistry methodologies are used to build materials for tomorrow. The competence of the group involves both the synthesis of complex organic molecules and the photophysical/electrical characterization of the molecular based systems. Most often we are working with organic molecules and even though each molecule is able to perform a task on its own, our aim is not to use the single molecules but ensembles of molecules to create materials for the future.

You will conduct research at the interface between chemistry, physics and materials science. In the project funded by Wallenberg, you will develop new organic molecules to improve the efficiency of photon upconversion. Triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) is a process that converts two low-energy photons into one with higher energy. To maximize the upconversion yield, it is important to have a clear understanding of the driving factors. When going from solution to the solid state, molecular diffusion must be replaced by exciton diffusion. Triplet-exciton diffusion fundamentally limits the development of highly efficient TTA-UC materials in the solid state. This means that there is a pressing need to investigate how to replace molecular diffusion with exciton diffusion, for which the development of new appropriate organic molecules is needed.

For more information on the group see: Karl Börjesson | University of Gothenburg (gu.se)

To see the latest group articles, click on the following link: ‪Karl Börjesson - ‪Google Scholar

Duties

Practical work tasks are to design, synthesize, and characterize organic dyes. These research tasks are performed in close discussion with other group members, this to build molecules that can answer our research questions.

Eligibility

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made.

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Qualifications

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Very good knowledge within the synthesis of organic compounds

Meritorious:

• Experience in running projects of high scientific quality. This will be judged based on first author publications and discussion at interview.
• Experience in the synthesis of organic dyes.
• Experience to measure the photophysical properties of organic dyes.
• Experience in triplet-triplet annihilation photon upconversion.
• Good knowledge in molecular photophysics

Employment

The position is fixed-term for 2 years on a full-time basis (100%) with placement at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Gothenburg. Start in September 2026.

Contact information for the post

If you have any questions about the position, please contact professor; Karl Börjesson, e-mail: karl.borjesson@gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

Application

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system, Reach mee,. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made on the basis of the qualifications registered in the application.

The application must be written in English and include:

• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• A general description of past research and future research interests (no more than one page),
• Contact information of at least two references,
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered. The qualifications claimed must be documented, certified and translated into English.

All attachments must be labelled in a way that clearly shows their content.

Applications must be received by: 2026-04-29

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations. Salaries are set individually at the University. In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed. In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.