Research Engineer in enzymatic upgrading of lignocellulose polymers - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Job description

Our current climate goals require the transition to a bio-based and circular economy, where several products can be derived from renewable resources. The postdoctoral fellow will be involved in the BioUPGRADE project "Biocatalytic upgrading of natural biopolymers for reassembly as multipurpose materials" under the Future Emerging Technologies (FET-Open) program funded by the European Commission. BioUPGRADE's vision is to integrate functional genomics and materials science, to transform nature's most important biopolymers into a cascade of bioproducts. The candidate is expected to be an active part of the consortium and participate in all activities of the project, including research, meetings, and dissemination of results through scientific publications.

The research engineer will support the experimental work to enzymatically modify surfaces of biofibres, towards applications in health care. The candidate will investigate the effect of the biocatalytic modifications on the hierarchical structure of lignocellulosic fibers. This includes structural analysis of the functionalized biofibres and characterization of the macroscopic properties (mechanical and rheological) of the derived materials.

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
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• The Research Engineer will be a part of the Division of Glycoscience at the Department of Chemistry at KTH, which is a multidisciplinary environment with competences on molecular biology, biochemistry and materials sciences towards the use of natural polymers for the environment and healthRead more about what it is like to work a t KTH.

Read more about what it is like to work at KTH

Qualifications

Requirements

• A completed master's degree (university education) in polymer technology, materials science, nanotechnology, biotechnology or related subjects.
• The candidate must have demonstrated practical experience in the design and characterization of lignocellulosic polymers. The candidate must have carried out research activity in several of the following areas: (i) design and modification of lignocellulosic materials, (ii) structural characterization of soft materials using solid-phase techniques, including microscopy, spectroscopy and scattering techniques, (iii) carbohydrate biochemistry and/or (iv) macromolecular materials or biopolymer science.
• The candidate must have excellent communication in scientific English, both orally and written as it is frequently used at the department.

Personal skills

• As a person, you must show independence to plan and perform your research experiments after discussion with the team, and excellent cooperation abilities with the researchers in the BioUPGRADE project and within the research group at KTH.

Preferred qualifications

• Competence on the use of advanced methods for carbohydrate analysis is desirable.
• Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues with a special focus on gender equality and sustainability is a merit.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Trade union representatives

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

To apply for the position

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

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

About the employment

The employment is valid for a limited time according to the agreement - for up to 12 months (or years), with access according to agreement.

Other information

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.