Postdoc position

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is one of the largest departments at Chalmers. We represent a broad field of fundamental and applied research and education within chemistry and chemical engineering. Our research activities reach from fundamental chemistry, chemistry at the interface of biology and medicine, materials science, renewable energy, to chemical engineering processing, material recycling, nuclear chemistry, as well as theory and modelling. We are committed to teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, as well as postgraduate level.

Academic freedom, interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurship and making societal impact, are key factors in our work. We strive to offer an environment where you can combine world leading research and teaching with a good work-life balance.


Information about the research
The field of research for the PostDoc position is thermal conversion of biomass and waste where the focus is mainly on optimizing the material flows in fluidized bed processes.

The position is within a project with the aim to develop and implement new concepts for alkali speciation, both in gaseous and liquid phase. The intended use is within thermal conversion of biomass and waste derived fuels such as combustion and gasification, where alkali chemistry is central for safe and efficient operation as well as for minimization of emissions.

You will work mostly experimentally, but you are expected to be able to combine experimental and theoretical knowledge in order to have an understanding of the observed processes. You will divide your work between two different divisions at Chalmers (Energy and Materials and Energy Technology). Your work will be also towards our industrial partners so you will be expected to have communication skills and working style that are suitable for research oriented towards industry. The work will be diverse and involve  materials and material characterization, experimental work focusing on thermal conversion of biomass and analytical chemistry).

Information about the division
The research and education at the Division of Energy and Materials is coupled to materials, energy, environment, and sustainable development. The focus is on experimental and theoretical research within the area of material science as well as on development, use and evaluation of methods and tools for analysis of materials used for energy conversion.

The current position is a collaboration with the Division of Energy Technology, whose research is in the areas energy technology and energy systems. The division focuses on combustion and gasification of biomass, technologies for carbon dioxide avoidance, energy transformation and sustainable energy systems.

Major responsibilities
As a Postdoc at the Division of Energy and materials, you are an important part of a group that conduscts experimental and theoretical research in energy conversion processes. The general aim of all of us at the division is to optimize and reduce environmental impact of existing processes and materials for energy conversion. The experimental research is conducted mostly in our labs in the Chemistry and Energy Technology buildings,  but we also use on a daily basis the material characterization techniques avaialble at CMAL, facility situated in the Physics building at Chalmers.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position, you need to have a PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science or similar awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). You are a person who is interested in a position with a lot of freedom for research and analysis, but you are also responsible for your own work and follow deadlines.

You are highly motivated and curious in finding explanations for observed phenomena in your research. You enjoy practical work, and you are solution oriented. You like working with new fields and new methods. 

We expect that you have worked with material characterization techniques and with thermal conversion experiments.

You have excellent language skills. Communication (orally and written) is important in many aspects of the work, which includes contact with our international collaboration partners and our industrial partners. You have high interpersonal skills, which also can be justified by previous employers upon request.

Experience with advanced material characterization techniques is beneficial, such as e.g., Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray tomography (XMT), etc. Experience from thermodynamic modelling is also meritorious.

Publications within thermal conversion in known for the field journals are also beneficial.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years.

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
To apply, please go to https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10904

Application deadline:  3 November, 2022