PhD Student in Extraction of wood biopolymers

Wallenberg Wood Science Center is seeking a PhD student to study extraction of wood boipolymers with placement at KTH, Stockholm, Sweden Wallenberg Wood Science Center is a joint research center established with KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden and Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, as participants.The annual budget exceeds 40 MSEK and at least 50 people will participate.The objective is underpinning materials research for utilization of our forests in new products, such as "green" polymers and biocomposite materials.The tree is viewed as a source of chemicals, monomers, biopolymers and fibers.Recent advances in nanotechnology, polymer science, biotechnology and mechanics are being combined with established forest products technologies in a new multidisciplinary research center located in Stockholm and in Gothenburg.Research project The new Wallenberg Center is seeking a PhD student at KTH.The student will work on: 1) Study of different extraction methods for lignin and hemicelluloses from pulp.Study new ways to obtain polymers from extraction mixtures, and recovery of extraction liquids 2) Testing of extractions of enzymatically treated wood.Characterization of extracted materials, and the remaining fiber 3) Optimization of different extraction stages.Study different ways to treat the remaining fiber.Your responsibilities will include developing methods for selectively extracting different wood polymers in relatively native form.You will be participating in international conferences and at meetings at Chalmers in Gothenburg, which means some travel and working together with chemists and graduate students from other disciplines.You will also be working in the laboratory and creating your own schedule.Qualifications MSc degree with a focus on mass technology and wood technology or similar areas.Practical experiences such as a summer job in the laboratory or similar is preferred.Fluency in English, both written and verbal is a must.We are looking for candidates with co-operational and problem-solving analysis skills, high quality-consciousness, the ability to work autonomously and the ability to work hard and put time, energy and commitment into your work.Excellent skills in both oral and written presentation are required. Employment Form of employment: Time limited position Starting date: Immediately Application This recruitment is performed by Academic Work Recruitment, but you will be employed by Wallenberg Wood Science Center.Specify ref JJ35644 and K-2009-0171 in the subject line.The application shall include curriculum vitae, final grades, a short description of future professional goals and interests, and names of 2 references.