Doctoral student in biotechnology with focus on chemo-enzymatic synthesis of biobased chemicals and polymers (PA2021/2491)

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has around 44 000 students and more than 8 000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

LTH forms the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, with approximately 9 000 students. The research carried out at LTH is of a high international standard and we are continuously developing our teaching methods and adapting our courses to current needs.

The doctoral student position is placed at Division of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry. The Division conducts research and education at undergraduate and graduate level within various branches of biotechnology. The Division runs several multidisciplinary projects in collaboration with academic and industrial partners, involving the development of processes for transformation of renewable resources into chemical building blocks for sustainable chemicals and plastics suited for circular economy. Development of bio-based chemicals and plastics is an important area where close interactions between biotechnology, organic- and polymer chemistry is crucial.

Work duties

• Responsible for research tasks in an international collaboration project funded by KEIT (Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology) dealing with the development of biobased monomers and polymers.
• Synthesis of chemicals, monomers and polymers by bio- and chemical catalysis and their characterization.
• Take an active role in collaboration with other parties in the project.
• Write scientific articles and reports.

The main duties of a doctoral student are to devote themselves to their research studies which include participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties may also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

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 biotechnology if the applicant has:

• at least 30 credits in the field of bioscience, including at least 15 second-cycle credits, and a second-cycle degree project of 30 credits in the field, or
• an MSc in engineering or a comparable second-cycle qualification, including elements of applied bioscience.

Additional requirements:

• Knowledge and skills in biocatalysis, organic synthesis, polymerization, and / or spectroscopic and physico-chemical characterization.
• Knowledge of bio-based chemicals and polymers.
• Good ability for independent, cooperative and teamwork.
• Good skills in planning, design and organization.
• 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:

Other assessment criteria:

• Relevant experiences in chemo-enzymatic synthesis and functionalization of chemicals, biotransformation, and chromatographic and spectral analysis are considered as merits.

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.).