Postdoctor

Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology
The department carries out high-quality research as well as under- and postgraduate education on an international level. We collaborate with both society and industry to develop a bio-based economy where forest biomaterials are an important resource.

Read more about our benefits and what it s like to work at the Department at https://www.slu.se/institutioner/skogens-biomaterial-teknologi/

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Duties:
Wood micro-/macrostructure (i.e., wood cell wall and lumen) is used as low-cost porous structures (storage cells) for encapsulation of renewable bio phase change materials (bioPCMs) for extensive use in green building products for energy saving. An ongoing project aims at increasing the storage of heat by bioPCMs while retaining strength and improving durability and sound insulation properties of the initial biomaterials. The project engineers and demonstrates a novel biobased product with thermal energy storage functions and establishes value chains from experimental proof of the concept to technology demonstration (construction models) in industrially relevant environment.

The candidate will work with design and demonstration of model constructions with integrated novel biomaterials with bioPCMs and evaluate the energy-saving performance in field trials. Other tasks include validation of the building materials and models with regard to durability and exploitation properties, fire retardancy, VOCs and aesthetic perception. The postdoctoral fellow should demonstrate a digital approach along the chain from product technology (modelling and simulation approach) to the final use e.g., digital integration and compatibility of the novel materials in a built climate (smart homes). The candidate will therefore work together with international group of researchers, postdoctoral fellows and industry representatives, complete some already started investigations and set up new experiments based on results from the ongoing projects.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who has a PhD in wood science and technology, thermal energy storage by PCMs or organic chemistry in the curriculum. The candidate should have a good understanding of multidisciplinary tasks including wood properties, and technical solutions for thermal energy storage in biomaterials as storage cells.

Experience with both lab-based experiments and computer-based simulation tools for thermal energy savings is highly valued. The candidate must be able to work independently as well as cooperate in a group and have good overall communication skills, including the ability to communicate and write well in English.

As postdoctoral positions are career development positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree obtained no later than three years ago.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment for 24 months with an option for prolongation.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
Juli 2023 or according to agreement

Application:
Welcome with your application no later than 2023-06-13. Use the button below.

Union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.