Assistant Professor in Wood Biopolymer Chemistry

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering promotes research and education for sustainable development, for improved health and quality of life. Our research ranges from natural science and bioscience, applied chemistry and biotechnology to chemical engineering. Our educational programs are characterized by technological solutions for improving people’s everyday life, and are continuously developed for meeting and promoting societal and industrial development.

We have approximately 400 employees, divided into five research divisions and one administrative unit. We are situated at campus Johanneberg.

Our department is characterized by stimulation of world leading research, in an environment where people develop and create new knowledge.

Information about the research/the project/the department
The Biopolymer Technology group is part of the Division of Applied Chemistry that has about 100 PhD students and Faculty. Biopolymer Technology has a research program that aims to develop technology required for the transformation of selected biopolymers into advanced biomacromolecular materials. The program is focused on altering the molecular structure of polysaccharides by enzymatic and chemical means in order to control their ability to assemble into solid materials with hierarchical architecture (similar to one existing in biological materials).

This position will be within Wallenberg Wood Science Center, WWSC. Wallenberg Wood Science Center is a research center on the topic of “New materials from trees”, with KTH and Chalmers as the major partners. About 60 researchers from different disciplines collaborate in a research environment of highest international standing. The program is on green processes and biobased materials and devices, for current and future industries. The details of the WWSC research activities may be found at: www.wwsc.se

Major responsibilities
The position includes to develop vigorous research program for new materials from trees with particularly focus on utilization of hemicelluloses.

You should create new knowledge for design of structure of new material building blocks coming through separation from trees, catalysis and polymerization conditions to create new sustainable polymers to replace fossil fuel based plastics. This position requires very good interdisciplinary collaboration and network building skills since the candidate will be working in Biorefinery Cluster within Wallenberg Wood Science Center.

Your primary duty as non-tenured assistant professor is to perform your own research, generally as a member of a research group. The position also includes teaching for about 20 per cent of your working hours, primarily on undergraduate and master's levels, as well as supervising PhD students to a certain extent. Another important aspect involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

A Post Doc position will be associated to the Assistant Professor position.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment for a maximum of four years. Progress will be assessed after two years. You are expected to achieve associate professor expertise within four years.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of non-tenured assistant professor, you must have a doctoral degree in a relevant field such as Polymer Chemistry, or Organic Chemistry; the degree should generally not be older than five years. Competence in polymer synthesis and molecular characterization as well as an interest in Molecular Modelling and Simulations is required.

You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education. Experience from a postdoc position is meritorious.The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. If Swedish is not your native language, you should learn Swedish good enough to teach on undergraduate level in order to qualify for higher academic position afterwards. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application deadline: 2014-09-15

For questions, please contact:
Professor Paul Gatenholm, paul.gatenholm@chalmers.se, +46 31-772 3407
Ulf Carlson, Head of the department, ulf.carlsson@chalmers.se, +46 31-772 2870

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