Doctoral student in chemical engineering with focus on downstream processes for biopharmaceuticals (PA2023/862)

The position is part of the department's research activities in downstream processes for biological pharmaceuticals. The research is both theoretical and experimental with elements of computation and automation, and is based on close collaboration with pharmaceutical companies and their suppliers.

Work duties
The objective of this PhD student position is on developing integrated continuous downstream processes for the production of biological pharmaceuticals, with a focus on process integration and digitization. The position involves the development of practical process engineering, such as separation of peptides, proteins and viruses. The position also involves process automation, control and computational techniques for virtual process design. The work is carried out in collaboration with other employees in nearby projects and with the project's industrial contacts.

The main task of a PhD student is to devote to their postgraduate education, which includes participation in both research project and postgraduate courses. The tasks also include participation in teaching and other institutional work, but a maximum of 20% of working time.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Chemical Engineering if the applicant has:

·  a specialised project of at least 30 second-cycle credits in the research area of the project.  

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. Written and oral communication skills Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Since teaching will be part of the employment and the majority of the teaching at the department is carried out in Swedish, it is a merit if the applicant is fluent in Swedish. If you do not speak Swedish, you are expected to take basic courses in Swedish thet the department finances.

Documented experience in chromatographic separation processes, process automation and computational technology is a merit. Also documented experience of technical programming in eg. Python and Java is a merit.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).