PhD Student - Wood cellulose/doktorand

The Chemistry Department at Umeå University today has approximately 170 members and offers a stimulating environment with a commitment to excellence in both teaching and research and provides a valuable service to society.The department offers degrees at B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. levels and our graduate- and postgraduate students are attractive for employment in both academic institutions and industry.Our research is organized into three principal areas, viz.Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry, and Technical Chemistry and is conducted by a dynamic and committed faculty which has access to state of the art research facilities and instrumentation.PhD Student - Wood cellulose Se svensk text på: http://www.umu.se/umu/aktuellt/arkiv/lediga_tjanster/313-4756-07.html We are searching for a PhD student with a BSc degree in chemistry and a special interest in wood and cellulose chemistry.The aim of the project is to deepen the current knowledge on how process parameters affect the properties of cellulose and cellulose ethers; moreover, develop new sampling and analytical methods for better control of the cellulose manufacturing process.To make the production possible of high-quality dissolving cellulose for further refinement to cellulose products, an increased knowledge about the effects of different process parameters on the properties of the cellulose is needed.The reactivity/accessibility of the cellulose towards chemicals in the reactions where derivatives are produced is another important parameter.To facilitate the use of dissolving pulp to produce for instance acetate cellulose and more demanding cellulose derivatives, better knowledge is needed about the production of cellulose with higher degree of polymerization, lower content of hemicellulose and higher reactivity; without problems with gel or particle formation.The position is funded jointly by Umeå University, Processum Biorefinery Initiative, Domsjö Mills AB and Akzo Nobel Functional Chemicals AB.The duration of the position is 5 years, which includes 1 year of industrial practice in the town of Örnsköldsvik.Interested candidates are requested to send a written application consisting of a curriculum vitae, and contact information of 2 referenses.Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled.Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-4756-07, should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive December 10, 2007 at the latest.