Postdoc in Plasticization of lignocellulose-based materials

In this Post-doc position, your work will contribute to replacing fossil-based materials with lignocellulose­based ones. The position is linked to FibRe, a research center focusing on making lignocellulose materials thermoplastic with minimal modifications. The environment at Chalmers, and close collaborations with KTH and the industry, will give you good opportunities to expand your scientific network.

Information about the research
Creating lignocellulose-based materials that are thermoplastic is still a challenge. It requires an understanding of how the thermal deformability of the material depends on its chemical structures. In general, the thermal deformability can be increased by decreasing the glass transition temperature, Tg. A decrease in Tg can be mediated by adding plasticizers (external plasticizers) or by covalently attaching substituents to the polymer chains (internal plasticization). This project aims to use external plasticization of lignocellulose-based materials, with a focus on the plasticization of the lignin parts in the lignocellulose-based structures.

Read more here:
https://www.chalmers.se/en/centres/FibRe/Pages/default.aspx

-The details of the departmental research activities may be found here.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility as postdoc is to perform your own research in a research, publish, and contribute to the research environment at Chalmers.
The position also includes teaching on undergraduate and master's levels as well as supervising master's and/or 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.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 1,5 years.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must have a doctoral degree in a relevant field; Science in Materials Science, Chemical engineering or equivalent. The degree should generally not be older than three years. You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. Swedish is not a requirement but Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210381 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 14 August 2021

For questions, please contact:
Anette Larsson

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



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!