Postdoc in bio-based porous materials - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Job description

Porous lightweight materials are key structures used today in liquid absorption and greenhouse gas encapsulation applications, traditionally relying on petroleum-based plastics or energy-intensive production methods. Among the different environmental impacts caused today by the use of petroleum-based plastics in these applications, it is worth mentioning the huge generation of microplastics when the products degrade in nature and even release toxic molecules like PFAS. To comply with a circular bio-economy, new materials must rely on the use of renewable resources, industrially scalable techniques and safe products for nature and humans ((the scope of this project). 

The selected postdoc will work for two years as a part of an EU Project (M.era-net – POR-BioSORB), a collaboration between European Universities, SMEs, and Research Institutes representing three countries (Sweden, Spain and Turkey). The main goal of the consortium is to explore if cost-effective biopolymers
extracted with green technology from biomass can be used to develop formulations with tailored porosity for liquid and gas ab(d)sorbents. The tasks also include understanding how the interaction between the different biopolymers and additives correlates with the processing parameters and the 3D micro/macrostructure of the materials. Further, the postdoc will be involved in supervising master and bachelor students within the project, presenting his/her work at international conferences and giving workshops aimed at results dissemination among the general society. 

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
• Participation in a transdisciplinary project between 3 countries, universities and, research institutes and SMEs.
• 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. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Ph.D. degree in areas related to polymer technology, polymer processing, polymer chemistry or related. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the employment decision is made.
• Good scientific skills and previous experimental experience in bio-based porous materials and/or thermomechanical processing of polymers (for instance, a scientific publication in the referred areas of expertise).
• You have excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating in a transdisciplinary manner, both individually and as a team.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Expertise in thermomechanical processing of polymers, especially biopolymers.
• Expertise in upcycling of biomass into functional materials such as liquid absorbents and gas encapsulation/remediation substrates.
• Expertise in manufacturing of porous materials and their respective characterization.
• Experience in supervising bachelor and master students.
• Experience in teaching-related activities at graduate and undergraduate level.
• Knowledge of characterization techniques for porous materials, such as electron microscopy.

Personal skills should include cooperative skills but also independence. You should have good teaching skills, cultural awareness, be aware of diversity and equal treatment, have good problem-solving skills and be able to formulate own hypothesis based on critical thinking and test these ideas. Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Trade union representatives

Contact information to trade union representatives.

To apply for the position

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

The application must contain:
•    CV including relevant professional experience, two references, and knowledge areas.
•    Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in either of these languages.
•    Brief statement of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Maximum 1 page long.
•    English certification or similar proof of English skills. 

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 and start of position according to agreement.

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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According to The Protective Security Act (2018-585), the candidate must undergo and pass security vetting if the position is placed in a security class. Information regarding whether the position is subject to such a classification will be provided during the recruitment process.

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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.