Assistant Professor in Lignin Science

Are you passionate about creating novel materials for a sustainable future? The Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC) seeks to recruit an Assistant Professor in Lignin Science with a strong scientific track record and desire to develop their independent research career in a highly multidisciplinary and collaborative environment.

Assistant professor in lignin science
Lignin science at Chalmers is anchored in a long tradition of outstanding research since the 1960's. It covers a broad perspective and includes all the important elements of advanced material research based on the wood biorefinery concept: recovery from wood, structural characterization, processing, theory and modelling and evaluation. The strength of the environment lies in the broad spectrum of research topics (recovery and separation, structural characterization, composites, devices), and in the fact that many programs span the complete range from curiosity driven research to applications and devices. The breadth of the research provides a readiness to take on new challenges faced by society and a basis for a close collaboration with industry.

We now seek to recruit an Assistant Professor with a keen interest in research questions related to lignin science such as fundamentals, processing, unit operation, separations and valorization. We seek a candidate who strives to use principles of green chemistry and sustainability, and aims at developing, for example:

• Light-weight materials
• Multifunctional materials and composites
• Materials for sustainable energy systems, e.g. solar cells, batteries and thermoelectric materials.

Information about the research
WWSC is a leading research center with focus on creating new sustainable materials using wood as the starting point (https://wwsc.se/). Our mission is to create knowledge, scientific excellence and develop critical competence for innovative value creation from trees. WWSC is a collaboration between Chalmers, KTH and Linköping University. The WWSC activities at Chalmers are funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, industry and Chalmers foundation.

The WWSC team at Chalmers consists of 13 faculty from a wide range of both fundamental and applied disciplines spanning from biology, chemistry and physics to biotechnology, chemical engineering and materials science. WWSC strives to ensure and maintain a balance in terms of gender and diversity among the people working in the center.

The Assistant Professor position is tenure-track. WWSC offers financial support for the position for four (4) years and one (1) PhD student position or one (1) post doc position. Further, WWSC, in collaboration with the host department, offers relocation support, mentoring and a leadership development package. The university and host department will assume the long-term responsibility of support as tenured faculty. We also provide access to state-of-the-art infrastructure such as Swedish NMR center, Materials Analysis Laboratory and with the MAX IV facility. 

The appointment as Assistant Professor is a four year entry level faculty position with tenure-track, whereby the employee has the opportunity to acquire both pedagogical and scientific qualifications. Each new assistant professor at Chalmers is a strategic recruitment. An assistant professor is expected to improve their ability to formulate and solve scientific problems, to publish scientific articles, and to develop abilities in teaching and supervision, by means of both practical training and independent study. One assessment will be conducted after two years, and an additional assessment for granting tenure will be conducted in conjunction with the period of appointment reaching its conclusion. At this time point you are expected to have qualified as unremunerated docent.

Chalmers University of Technology and WWSC welcome a multidisciplinary approach to this position, in line with our organizational structure and tradition of collaboration across departments and external engagement with industry and society. We seek to recruit a talented scientist with a promising academic track record. The host department for this position will be decided in dialogue with the selected candidate and the departments Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Industrial and Materials Science, Biology and Biological Engineering, and Physics.

Major responsibilities
• Active engagement in research, developing a distinct line of research through independent research projects.
• Active contribution to education on all levels (normally comprises less than 20% of full-time duties).
• Supervision of masters and doctoral students.
• Seek external research funding.
• Take part in joint departmental and university-wide tasks.
• Take part in WWSC related tasks.
• Take part in international collaborations on a high scientific level.
• Collaboration with other research groups.

Please read more and apply here

Application deadline: 15 September, 2021

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***