Postdoc development of Bio-Binders for the Metallurgical Process Industries - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Job description

A postdoctoral fellowship is currently available in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The candidate will work in close collaboration with the industrial partners to synthesize and characterize binders from different carbon-neutral resources.

The project aim is to develop technically viable bio-carbon binders towards application in the manufacture of carbon electrodes, carbon lining pastes, and carbon-containing oxide refractories critical to the steel, aluminium, and non-ferrous metal industries. Tasks in the postdoctoral position include:

• Evaluate a range of feedstock materials including raw biomass of different types, pre-processed materials and high phenolic precursors including commercially available bio-oils, kraft lignins and pyrolytic lignins
• Develop optimal thermochemical processing routes in order to obtain suitable bio-binders with desirable physical and rheological properties for high-temperature applications
• Perform structural characterisation, chemical analysis and physical properties of bio-binders including rheological properties, softening points, coking value, thermal and electrical conductivity, porosity, and graphitization characteristics
• Develop optimal modification processes to obtain binder materials and precursors with low concentrations of oxygen and other deleterious impurities

What we offer

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Works in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH

Read more about what it is like to work at KTH

Qualifications

Requirements

A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Electrochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or a relevant field is required; obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline (with some exceptions for special reasons such as periods of sick or parental leave, kindly indicate if such reason exists in your resume).

Preferred qualifications

The following qualifications are considered important:

• Research expertise
• Experience in production, testing, modification, and application of biomass pyrolysis products is advantageous
• Skillful oral and written communication in English, as this will be required in day-to-day work.
• Scientific article, proposal and report writing experience
• Ability to independently manage sub-projects
• Collaborative abilities
• Teaching and supervision assistance abilities
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality

Experience in contributing in publically funded projects is competitive advantage for this position. It is also advantageous if you have demonstrated communication skills with industrial companies. Business travel will be required to communicate with the project industrial participants. 

Great emphasis will be placed on personal competency

Trade union representatives

You will find contact information to trade union representatives at KTH's webbpage.

Application

Log into KTH's recruitment system in order to apply to this position. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad.

1. A CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge
2. Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
3. Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Maximum two pages long.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.