The Department of Chemistry, with more than 200 employees, is one of the largest departments at Stockholm University. The Research spans all areas of chemistry such as analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic and structural chemistry and organic chemistry. The research projects are many from theory to experiment, from basic research to more applied projects often focusing on sustainable chemistry but also advanced analytical methods of chemicals and materials. The department has a very well-developed research infrastructure with state-of-the-art equipment with qualified support from staff scientists.
The department also hosts the Bachelor's degree programme in chemistry and three Master's programmes: analytical chemistry, sustainable chemistry, and organic chemistry. PhD programmes are conducted in five areas: analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry.
More information about us, please visit: Department of Chemistry.
Chemical Recycling of Plastics
Supervision: Assistant Professor Kostas Parkatzidis
A PhD position is available in the group of Assistant Professor Kostas Parkatzidis at the Department of Chemistry, Stockholm University. The project focuses on the development of new materials and catalytic strategies for the chemical recycling of plastics.
The candidate will work on the synthesis and characterization of polymer- and carbon-based materials and catalysts, and explore their application in plastic depolymerization and sustainable chemical transformations. The research aims to develop low-energy yet efficient approaches for converting plastic waste into valuable chemicals.
The project is interdisciplinary, combining polymer chemistry, materials science, and catalysis. The broader goal is to contribute to sustainable solutions for plastic waste by designing new materials that enable more efficient recycling processes and reduce the environmental footprint of chemical production.
The successful candidate will join a newly established research group focusing on sustainable polymer chemistry and will actively contribute to the development of the group.
Main tasks include
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Synthesis and characterization of polymeric and carbon-based materials
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Investigation of their catalytic activity using model molecules to gain fundamental understanding of the system
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Translation of these findings toward catalytic recycling of plastics.
Preferred applicant background:
Polymer chemistry, polymer science, chemistry, chemical recycling of polymers, catalysis, or carbon materials.
In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.
You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.
To meet the special entry requirements to be admitted to doctoral level education in materials chemistry, the applicant must have a bachelor's degree with major in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or physics and must have completed an independent project comprising at least 30 higher education credits at the advanced level.
Special eligibility is also granted to those who have acquired essentially equivalent knowledge in another order within or outside Sweden.
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:
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documented knowledge in a relevant field of research
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capacity for analytical and creative thinking
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initiative
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independence
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ability to collaborate
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written and oral proficiency in English.
Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.
We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).
A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
For more information, please contact the PI Assistant Professor Kostas Parkatzidis, [email protected].
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. 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 instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.
Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.
Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 % | Ort: Stockholm | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: SU FV-2155-26 | Facklig företrädare: ST/OFR ST/OFR 08162000, ST/OFR ST/OFR 08162000, Saco-S Saco-S 08162000, Saco-S Saco-S 08162000, Seko Seko 0770457900, Seko Seko 0770457900, | Publicerat: 2026-06-24 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-08-09
