Postdoc position in Biomimetic Water Filtration

Information about the department and the project
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is the largest department at Chalmers with research ranging from the most fundamental level to a level close to application in industry and society. The research activities reach from DNA-research and biomaterials to high temperature corrosion, catalysis and recycling. The Department is also heavily committed to teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, as well as postgraduate level in these areas.

Health, natural resources, sustainable energy and materials are some of our lead words and our vision is “Through curiosity and knowledge towards a sustainable world”.

We have approximately 300 employees, divided into four research and one administrative division. We are situated at campus Johanneberg in the middle of Gothenburg.

In this Postdoc position, you will join the activities at the Division of Applied Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The division has an applied focus with emphasis on the development of new materials. In this project, you will work on developing a new type of filter for desalination applications (reversed osmosis). The main focus will be on material development activities and on functionality testing. The active component in the filter will be aquaporins, which are transmembrane proteins that selectively transport water. The proteins will be reconstituted in lipid vesicles for retained functionality, which will be immobilized in silica for increased stability. A filter matrix will be introduced in order to utilize these silica-stabilized vesicles in reverse osmosis applications. You will develop and assess matrix materials with respect to vesicle incorporation and desalination performance with the aim of developing desalination membranes that are more energy-efficient and selective for water compared to present standards.

Major responsibilities
During your postdoc, you will communicate the results from your project by publishing articles in relevant peer-reviewed international scientific journals and by participating in national and international meetings and conferences. Within the daily work as a postdoc, our ambition is that you find variation and interact with not only other postdoctoral fellows, but also undergraduate students, PhD students, senior researchers and professors.

Your major responsibilities are to pursue the research project and the position will be dedicated towards scientific research. There might be possibilities for teaching activities, but not required. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing in English.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
The most important qualification is your desire to devotedly conduct interdisciplinary research at the crossroads between biology and materials chemistry. To qualify for the position of postdoc you must have a doctoral degree in chemistry, materials science, physics, or equivalent. The degree should generally not be older than three years.

You appreciate to work experimentally, but also with theoretical tools. Previous knowledge working with reconstituted membrane proteins, silica chemistry and desalination of water are desired, but not required for the position.

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

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

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application deadline: 14th August, 2020

APPLY HERE

For questions, please contact:
Professor Martin Andersson
E-mail: martin.andersson@chalmers.se
Phone: +46-(0)31 772 2966

*** 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!