Postdoctoral position in Lignin cracking

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering promotes research and education for sustainable development, for improved health and quality of life. Our research ranges from natural science and bioscience, applied chemistry and biotechnology to chemical engineering. Our educational programs are characterized by technological solutions for improving people’s everyday life, and are continuously developed for meeting and promoting societal and industrial development.

We have approximately 400 employees, divided into five research divisions and one administrative unit. We are situated at campus Johanneberg.

Our department is characterized by stimulation of world leading research, in an environment where people develop and create new knowledge.
Information about the division
The division of Forest Products and Chemical Engineering are doing research work within conventional pulping technology as well as future wood based biorefineries. Most of our projects are carried out in close contact with other universities (national and international) and with industrial companies. Today, we are about 20 persons and we are planning to expand the coming years. 

The forest-based industry today is one of Sweden's most important export industries. In the years to come, it will acquire even greater importance as the raw material, wood, is renewable and that the forest based industry is the best possible foundation for the future biorefineries. In the future forest based biorefineries, materials, chemicals and fuels will be produced. At the division of Forest Products and Chemical Engineering we are working with projects related to new products and processes that are steps towards a biorefinery as well as with projects aiming to improve the understanding of the present processes in the forest based industry.  

Major responsibilities
In one of the projects we are investigating the disintegration/cracking of lignin (the most abundant aromatic biopolymer). This is a large effort involving several research groups, thus you will work in a group of about 6 persons focused in this area. Our responsibility is primarily to investigate how the lignin is broken down (the mechanisms) and make the more advanced chemical analysis (e.g. GC-MS). As Post Doc in this project, you will be working closely together with a PhD student and possibly also with a MSc student.  

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.

Position summary
The position is a 1-year position with the possibility to prolong it for one more year.

Qualifications
The person we are looking for has a strong background in analytical and organic chemistry but have a wish to develop her/his skill in an interdisciplinary environment and contribute to develop sustainable techniques for the future. As a person you are cooperative and self-propelled.

To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must have a doctoral degree in a relevant field; 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.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20130306 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.

Application deadline: December 19, 2013

For questions, please contact:
Professor Hans Theliander, Chemical Engineering, hanst@chalmers.se,  +46 31-772 2992

 



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