Job description

Interest in biomaterials engineering, wood nanoengineering in particular, is growing with the pursuing for sustainable society development. We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc to join our team to develop wood modification strategies for functional materials design toward energy efficiency and water purification. The work will have an experimental focus which includes, but not limited to, wood modification and characterization, microscopy techniques, FTIR, NMR, and x-ray scattering.

The research will be conducted in division Biocomposites at the Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology.  The Biocomposites group works in a multidisciplinary framework, with competences ranging from cellulose and polymer chemistry to mechanics and processing of composites and molecular dynamics modeling. Focus is on nanostructured biocomposites and cellulose materials. The scientific interest is new material concepts, where structural and functional properties are combined. Material components include nanocellulose, plant fibers, wood, biopolymers, and are used in nanomaterial systems such as aerogels, foams, biocomposites, polymer matrix nanocomposites, inorganic hybrids etc.

What we offer

• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment
• Work in Stockholm, in close proximity to nature
• Multidisciplinary research environment
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH

Read more about what it is like to work at KTH

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• A doctoral degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, fibre and polymer technology, polymer science, materials chemistry, or corresponding competences,
• Experience in materials preparation, SEM, FTIR, and mechanical testing.

• The candidate should have strong engineering science skills, be structured and creative, be able to work independently at high pace, capable of critical thinking and have a good publication record.
• You should have good communication skills, and be skilled in scientific discussions on advanced topics in English.
• You are scientifically creative and laboratory skilled. You have good collaborative skills and can at the same time work independently.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.
• Experience in laboratory work related to polymers, composites, cellulose fibers or related topics.

• It is important that the candidate possesses research expertise and teaching abilities. You should be aware of diversity and equal opportunity issues with a special focus on gender equality.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Trade union representatives

You will find contact information to trade union representatives at KTH’s webbpage.

To apply for the position

Log into KTH’s recruitment system in order to apply for this position. You are the main responsible to ensure that your application is complete according to the ad. 

Instructions:

• CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Copy of diplomas and grades from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents have not been issued in any of these languages.
• Brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Max two pages long.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

The position may include security-sensitive activities. To become authorized, you therefore need to pass a security check.

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.