Position as a Researcher in Environmental Systems Analysis

The department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology (SBT) forms part of the Faculty of Forest Sciences, has about 50 employees and is located in both Umeå and Uppsala. The department carries out high quality research and under- and postgraduate education on a high international level and collaborates with society and industry to develop a bio-based economy where forest biomaterials are an important resource. The major focus in Umeå lies on value chains in the bio-based industry, where different components of forest biomaterials are collected, characterized, separated, modified / processed, used and re-used cost-effectively for different purposes while forest ecosystem services are managed sustainably. In Uppsala, the focus lies on wood science and technology with research and education on wood materials from nano to macro levels and with accredited testing of wood products and treatments for the market.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Umeå University (UMU) run, in collaboration, several major research projects within the fields of energy, biomaterials, and chemistry, having as partners forestry-related industry and other universities (both Swedish and foreign). In these projects, the demand for quantified and verified information about the environmental performance of production, products, supply chains and services constantly increases. In the Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology extensive research is carried out, among others, on economically and environmentally sustainable value chains where forest raw materials and forest industrial residues are processed into high-quality biomaterials for further industrial processing to e.g. chemicals and biofuels.

The research program Bio4Energy (http://www.bio4energy.se  ), where both SLU and UMU are active in, aims to create highly efficient and environmentally-sound biorefinery processes, based on forest biomass as raw material, for making products such as biofuels and "green" chemicals. A systematic environmental impact analysis of the different process steps in the making of such products is an important aspect in Bio4Energy. This researcher position is a common venture between SLU and UMU and within the framework of Bio4Energy.

As a part of the systems analysis platform within the Bio4energy program, the successful candidate will be evaluating sustainability potential of bioeconomy initiatives in Sweden. The focus of the researcher will be (but not limited to):

• Sustainable valorization of forest biomass as a major feedstock for biofuel production and synthesis of biochemicals and/or biocomposites.
• Conduct eco-efficiency analysis (life cycle assessment and life cycle costing) of the production of biofuels through enzymatic and thermochemical conservation pathways.
• Conduct LCAs on application of emerging forest based biochemicals and biocomposites as candidate materials for material light weighting, coatings, wood preservatives etc.
• Address data and technology related uncertainties associated with the forest biomass value chain by integrating other optimization tools (e.g. Aspen, multi regression analysis etc.) into LCA.
• Educate employees within the department on LCA and also participate in the education of students at SLU and UMU

The appointment as a Researcher is mainly devoted to research. The successful candidate will be part of a research group with graduate students as well as other researchers and postdocs. The researcher together with her/his group are encouraged to develop cooperation with external partners as well as with researchers from the Bio4Energy research program.

A PhD Degree in Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Forestry, Sustainability Engineering, or related fields is required.

The applicant must have significant research experience in environmental systems analysis, material and/or substance flow analysis, sustainability management and circular and bio economy concept areas.

The applicant should have extensively worked with one or more life cycle assessment software (SimaPro, GaBi, and Open LCA).

In addition, in depth knowledge on techno industrial processes related to forest biomass based biofuels, composites manufacturing, and nanotechnology fields will be essential merit.

This is a researcher role where the selected candidate will devote majority of his/her time working on strategic sustainability frameworks and develop methods integrating other tools with LCA to reduce uncertainties and enhance spatial resolution of sustainability assessments aimed to assist informed decision making process with respect to utilization of forest resources. Therefore, the applicant is expected to have understanding of tools like GIS and Aspen.      

The applicant should have a demonstrated ability to independently initiate, conduct, and complete research projects and to generate and publish the findings in international peer-reviewed journals. The candidate must have strong written and oral communication skills in English, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and presentations at professional meetings. Personal qualities such as ability to collaborate will play an important role. In addition to documented qualifications, an overall assessment will be made of the suitability to carry out current tasks, to work for the utilization of the university's research and to contribute to a positive development of the business.

Umeå

Fixed term employment of 24 months.

100%

September 1st , 2022 or according to agreement.

We welcome your application no later than 2022-06-30, use the button below. 

The application should be written in English and should include:

• A cover letter describing your background, main research area, and motivation in applying for this position,
• A Curriculum Vitae detailing your academic degrees and relevant experience; Certified copies of University-level diplomas,
• A personal statement detailing your specific interest in and suitability for the position along with a summary of your current and previous research interests (max. two pages),
• A List of publication
• Contact details of at least two references with established track records within the research area of the applicant.

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses.

www.slu.se

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