Postdoc in building tomography expertise

Job description

The Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology (FPT) is the largest academic department in Sweden in the field of natural and synthetic polymers. The combination of the traditionally separate areas of natural and synthetic polymers is unique and enables FPT to meet future demands for sustainable material use in society.

The research covers everything from monomer and polymer synthesis, characterization, modeling/simulation, processing, long-term properties, material performance, degradation to functional materials. Wood-based materials dominate the renewable raw material area, but raw materials from agriculture are also gaining increasing importance.

The appointment of a postdoctoral fellow aims to develop the department's ability to conduct tomography studies with the tomograph that has recently been taken over from KTH Building Sciences. The position is experimental and involves laboratory work using the infrastructure at the department and will include the connection of what is possible locally (at KTH) to the use of advanced characterization techniques using large-scale synchrotron facilities. Specifically, the beam tube ForMAX at MAX IV in Lund. The work will also include activities aimed at supporting industrial research.

The postdoc also needs to be able to develop well-defined tailored polymeric nanoparticles that can be used to modulate the contrast when lignocellulosic materials are characterized using scattering techniques.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who wants to be at the forefront of research and further develop new characterization techniques to better understand the sustainable materials of the future, biobased 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
• Guidance on relocating and settling in KTH and in Sweden 

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

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.
• Research competence in the field of fiber and polymer science.
• Documented experience of conducting research in the field of interactions in cellulose-based systems through scientific publications.
• Documented experience of polymer synthesis and characterization methods required to be able to produce well-defined polymeric nanoparticles for modulated contrast.
• Proven experience of relevant advanced characterization techniques and the implementation of experiments at large-scale research infrastructures.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Well documented research expertise and teaching abilities
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality

In order to be able to fulfill their duties within the postdoctoral position, and to be able to collaborate well with other members of the international research group and other partners, the applicant must:

• be able to speak and write scientific English and speak English fluently
• have a documented ability to summarize research results in written and oral presentations.

As person you are also structured, meticulous and ability to take own initiatives and work independent. 

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 include:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• 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.
• Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max 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.

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.

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.