Postdoctoral position

The Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology (SBT) forms part of the Faculty of Forest Sciences, has about 50 employees and is located in both Umeå and Uppsala. The department carries out high quality research and under- and postgraduate education on a high international level and collaborates with society and industry to develop a bio-based economy where forest biomaterials are an important resource. The major focus in Umeå lies on value chains in the bio-based industry, where different components of forest biomaterials are collected, characterized, separated, modified / processed, used and re-used cost-effectively for different purposes while forest ecosystem services are managed sustainably. In Uppsala, the focus lies on wood science and technology with research and education on wood materials from nano to macro levels, wood adhesives and composites, and with accredited testing of wood products and treatments for the market. Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at the department, SLU at https://www.slu.se/institutioner/skogens-biomaterial-teknologi/

About the position
The candidate for the Postdoctoral position is expected to carry out research focused on wood science and technology as a subject area with a strong emphasis on theoretical and practical analyses of wood fiber permeability and intrusion of liquids under impregnation and prediction of physical and thermal characteristics of bio-composite materials. The research concerns also understanding of the wood anatomical structure, material properties and the impact of various wood treatment approaches and processes on the wood/fiber quality – the above aiming at development of novel biomaterials with tailored/added functionalities.

 The successful candidate participates in a teamwork but also develops her/his own research approaches and ideas in the subject area. Emphasis is set on numerical simulation of axial and transverse capillary infiltration in solid wood, wood particles, mechanical pulp wood fibres and the assessment of the input permeability, capillary pressure and nature of liquid by validating the simulation results with experimental data. The above parameters are linked further to prediction of the properties of bio-composites with added functionalities, e.g., improved thermal characteristics by impregnation of bio phase change materials (bioPCM).

The successful candidate is expected to work together with international group of researchers and industry representatives in the frame of a 4-year Horizon project starting in January 2024. The candidate must contribute with both theoretical and practical modelling of the process, publish scientific articles, and have an affinity to participate in writing of research applications.

Your profile
Eligible for employment as a Postdoctoral fellow are those who hold PhD degree or equivalent academic qualifications on the emphasis of the subject area. Background in applied mathematics with skills and expertise in wood material science, composite materials, image processing, X-ray computed tomography and/or dynamic building energy performance simulation are the main assessment criteria. Additionally and desirably, the candidates should have some experience in microscopy (light and/or SEM). The successful candidate will join a research team working on wood/fibre 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. The interactions between the bioPCM, the wood cell wall and polymer binders will be the focus of the study.

Additional requirements include excellent communication and writing skills in English, ability to plan, and carry out laboratory research work in collaboration with co-workers.

On consideration for appointment as a PhD student, the emphasis is primarily set on the applicant's qualifications and the ability to approach in a creative way the research field of interest. Attention will also be paid to communication skills and ability to work independently and in a research team, keeping the due dates of the research activities. We are looking for highly motivated candidates for the position.

A postdoctoral position is primarily intended for individuals who have completed their Ph.D. within the last three years.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment 24 months, with the possibility of extension.

Extent:
100%

Start date:
By agreement.

Application:
Please submit your application before deadline 2024-02-15. You can submit your application by clicking 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.