Postdoctoral Fellow in Fractionation and Upgrading of Plant biomass

Ref. No. SU FV-2054-23

at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry . Closing date: 30 June 2023.

The Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK) is, with about 160 employees, one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Natural sciences at Stockholm University. A significant part of the teaching activities is at the undergraduate level with courses in General, Physical, Inorganic, and Analytical Chemistry. The teaching at the graduate level focuses on the master programs in Sustainable Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry.

Research activities of MMK focus primarily on materials, and include different classes such as ceramics, glasses, self-assembled, porous materials, and soft matter. The projects often encompass synthesis, and characterization by X-ray, neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, solid-state NMR, and computer modelling of materials with a potential for various applications. Research activities in the area of Analytical Chemistry focus on developing advanced analytical techniques for studies of organic compounds and biomolecules.  More information can be found at: www.mmk.su.se .

Project description
The position is part of an EU funded Horizon CBE JU project Bio-LUSH. BioLUSH project is a consortium with partners across Europe and aims exploit the cell wall structure of underexplored plant resources (forest residues, marine plants and weeds) in Europe to extract high quality fibres. The project will contribute to the retention of value of the EU’s fibrous biomass and the growth of European fibrous bioeconomy. The program is highly transdisciplinary and selected candidate will be able to collaborate with industries, research institutes and other stakeholders in the different tasks of the project. 

Main responsibilities
We are seeking a post-doctoral fellow with a broad vision and passion to  develop novel and sustainable  routes of biomass fractionation, and development of hybrid fibres with functional properties and characterization of fibers /nanofibers. Forest residues, nettle and seagrass will be used as biomass sources. The task is to develop processes for the intelligent use of novel and plant feedstock for fibres extraction as well as tuning of the fibre properties during refining (extraction from cell wall) to address specific end product needs. The selected candidate will work in the group of Prof Aji Mathew at MMK and with Prof Joseph Samec´s group at the Department of Organic Chemistry.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills. The selection is based primarily on scientific excellence and experience in the field of biomass fractionation, or cellulose chemistry. Experience in data mining and machine learning for process optimization will be an added advantage.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2023-09-01 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
For further information, please contact the project leader, Prof. Aji P Mathew, telephone: +46 8 16 12 56, [email protected] or Prof. Joseph Samec, telephone +46 8 16 31 14, [email protected] .

For general information about MMK, please contact the Head of the Department, Prof. Niklas Hedin, [email protected] .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , and [email protected] (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

URL to this page
https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs?rmpage=job&rmjob=21122&rmlang=UK