Professor in Forest Biomaterials

Welcome to Linnaeus University! We meet the societal challenges of today and tomorrow in a spirit of openness, curiosity and creativity. By creating arenas for exchange of knowledge from different subjects, fields and cultures, we open up for new ideas and create new opportunities for long-term sustainable societal development. Linnaeus University – where people grow.

The Department of Forest and Wood Technology offers wide-ranging thematic activities from the forest seedling to the finished wood product. Benefits for the climate arising from forests lie at the centre of all department activities. Based on this theme, the department meets societal challenges whilst contributing to two of the Linnaeus Knowledge Environments: Green sustainable development and Advanced materials.

This professorship is a part of a long-term collaboration among Södra (Sweden’s largest forest-owner industry group), IKEA and Linnaeus University, the objective of which is to develop and enhance competence, knowledge and education. The collaboration, based on innovation and proximity, brings with it a creative and dynamic exchange of knowledge and skills between academia and participating industries for the clear benefit of businesses, owners, customers, researchers/teachers, students and society.

Subject area for the position: professor in Forest Biomaterials
Placement city: Växjö
Scope of appointment: Full time 100%

Field of subject for the appointment:
Forest biomaterials are readily available and consist of an essential renewable biomass resource in modern bio-economy. Effective use of wood-based materials from forest operations and wood industries is important for optimised resource utilisation. The interaction between different materials gives product properties to optimise in use based on different conditions. For the future, using the material from the forest as long as possible through circular business models is a necessity. The longevity and durability of the materials becomes particularly important.

Developing solutions for a more sustainable utilisation of raw materials from the forest requires an increased understanding of their attributes and variability. That involves interdisciplinary research activities oriented from forest to product.

The position concern the properties of forest biomaterials based on use with a focus on creating innovative solutions for a future bio-based society. Novel concepts and a combination of fundamental and applied aspects is required to find new uses of forest biomaterials from the forest in sustainable products for example, bio-based chemicals, new fossil-free adhesive systems and composites. Today, building materials account for a significant part of CO² emissions. Using more wood for buildings instead of other materials can reduce these emissions. A particular focus in the position is collaboration with other research groups within the Faculty of Technology and surrounding society.

Duties
In addition to conducting and developing research in the field described above, a professor has the following duties: 

• supervision of doctoral students and giving courses at doctoral level
• teach and develop courses at the basic and advanced level
• collaborate with research groups within and outside Linnaeus University
• Apply for external research funding at both national and international level
• develop and maintain national and international networks with researchers, industry, other organisations and society as a whole

A starting point for both research and teaching is the requirement for practical application in the forest industry as well as cooperation and collaboration with the forest industry in southern Sweden and internationally.

Requirements
Qualified to be appointed professor is a person who has demonstrated both scientific and pedagogical skills. (HF 4 kap 3 §).

In order to be appointed professor – in accordance with the appointment procedures at Linnaeus University – a person must have demonstrated scientific skills through independent, active research in accordance with current national standards, both qualitatively and quantitatively and at a level considerably exceeding that required of an associate professor.

The requirements for scientific skills also comprise requirements for demonstrated skills regarding planning and management of research. This includes management of research work in which other researchers who have defended their theses take part, as well as supervision of doctoral students.

Pedagogical skills should have been demonstrated through teaching on first-, second- and third-cycle levels. This includes planning, implementation, and evaluation of teaching as well as supervision and examination.

Eligibility for this position also requires the following:

• Completed doctoral degree in an area relevant to the position.
• Documented independent research within the employment's field of activity.
• Documented experience of cooperation and collaboration with external and industrial partners.
• Documented ability to communicate well both orally and in writing in English.
• Supervision of research students up to the doctoral degree.

Basis of assessment
As a basis for assessment when hiring a professor, the degree of such skill that is a requirement for eligibility for employment shall apply. The evaluation of pedagogical skill must be given as much care as the evaluation of scientific skill.

The applicant must have demonstrated skill in initiating, planning, leading and developing research projects in areas relevant to the position where the systems perspective on the forest industry value chain and research experiences from different parts of the value chain are deemed particularly important. Active international collaboration, which involves international networks and joint publications, international scientific organizations and editorial work is also meritorious.

The pedagogical skill must be significant and have been demonstrated through merit and efforts in teaching and development of educational activities at both undergraduate and advanced level as well as postgraduate level.

Meritorious in other respects are: 

• Experience in outdoor pedagogy, as well as knowledge in distance education based on learning platforms and other ICT tools.
• Knowledge of Swedish is extra meritorious.
• Good ability to communicate the research area towards industrial parties and other actors in society.

Other:

• Applicants for employment who cannot teach in Swedish are expected to be able to do so within a two-year period.

When the university hires new teachers, applicants must be selected who, through a qualitative overall assessment of competence and skill, are deemed to have the best conditions to carry out and develop current tasks and contribute to the successful development of the organization. Linnaeus University has the ambition to make use of the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity bring to the organization.

Contact persons:
Head of Department: Erika Olofsson, +46 (0) 470-70 80 33, [email protected]
HR-partner: Jesper Pettersson, [email protected]

Welcome with your application according to instruction, last day to apply is 10 March 2023

Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of the ad. Your application should be designed according to the Template for application which can be found in the Guide to Appointment procedures under important documents below the ad. The credentials you invoke must be verified with certification and they must be attached digitally in your application. Other documents, including various types of scientific works, must be submitted digitally along with the application. The application and other documents to be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.

URL to this page
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