Doctoral student in development of lignin-based carbon materials for metallurgy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

The present PhD project brings together the two largest industrial sectors in Sweden: the metallurgical industry and the pulp and paper industry. The use of carbon is critical to the metallurgical and steel industries. Carbon is present in the form of aggregates (e.g. petroleum coke and needle coke) and binders (e.g. coal tar pitch and phenolic resins) in furnace electrodes, lining pastes and refractories. However, today it originates mainly from fossil sources and must be replaced by more environmentally friendly alternatives from renewable resources. Lignin from kraft pulp mill is a promising alternative due to its high carbon content and availability, and has the potential to function both as an aggregate and as a binder for their application in the manufacture of bio-carbon furnace electrodes.

In laboratory-scale research, kraft lignin will be used as a starting point and will be modified by post-processing to better suit the new application. The kraft lignin will be included in new formulations of bio-carbon aggregates and binders. In the later stages of the project, bio-carbon electrode prototypes will be prepared and tested under relevant conditions.

You will be required to work in close collaboration with other researchers from industry and research institutes in Europe. The project will require a significant amount of materials characterization and experimental work in laboratory and industry. Critical assessment of scientific literature and the experimental data collected during the project will be vital. Creative and analytical problem solving skills are also required. Regardless, you should not be afraid of traveling around Europe and staying in other European countries. The majority of the work will be carried out in close collaboration with our industrial partners.

Third-cycle subject: Materials science and engineering

Supervision: Bjoern Glaser is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

Master's degree in chemical engineering, electrochemistry, materials engineering, metallurgical engineering, organic chemistry, or a relevant field.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach,
• analyse and work with complex issues,
• knowledge of chemical engineering and metallurgy, knowledge within organic chemistry is appreciated and
• experimental skills. 

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

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.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

The position may include security-sensitive activities. To become authorized, you therefore need to pass a possible security check.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

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