Researcher of a novel waterless, technology to recycle textile wastes

Job description

The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries globally due to the high consumption of chemicals, energy, water, and waste generation. One of the reasons for this is the difficulty in recycling mixed textile fibers, such as polycotton, which represent 50 % of textile waste today. Unfortunately, no widely adopted large-scale technology currently enables the separation and recycling of these fibers without fiber depolymerization and downcycling. Besides the challenges related to recycling, textiles containing synthetic plastic are one of the significant contributors to microplastic pollution. Renasens AB develops and demonstrates a new waterless, patent-pending, technology to recycle pure and blended textile wastes, such as polycotton, without depolymerization or downcycling of the fibers. We are on a mission to contribute to building a waste-free circular future.

As part of our process development and optimization, we are looking for a researcher in chemical processing. Experience using subcritical-supercritical fluids for textile or fiber treatment is required. Your main objective will be to implement and develop a process to separate cellulose and polyester from polycotton textile wastes without depolymerization. This work will be performed at KTH in collaboration with Renasens.

Your main tasks:

• Development focused on the separation process of polycotton fibers,
• Characterize the recovered cellulose and polyester fibers,
• Assist with the spinning of new yarns,
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners.

The work on this project is scheduled to begin February 15th 2025, at the earliest at KTH, and will last for 1 year. 

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 be settled in Sweden and at KTH

Read more about what it's like to work at KTH and our benefits.

Qualifications

Requirements

• PhD or engineering degree in Chemical Engineering, or related field
• Proven experience with supercritical fluid technologies or similar extraction methods in textile or fiber treatment applications,
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team,

Preferred qualifications

• Experience supervision of students
• Research expertise
• Teaching ability
• The ability to work towards research results being utilised in practice.
• The ability to inform about research and development work
• Knowledge of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality

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 in order to apply for this position. You are responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad. Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application.

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.

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

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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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