Researcher in the use of biobased carbon in electrochemical applications

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 and with accredited testing of wood products and treatments for the market.

Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology
Supercapacitors and batteries are critical enabling technologies to meet the rising demand for clean and sustainable energy. Activated carbon is used for fabricating electrodes in electrochemical storage devices and, by utilization of biobased feedstock, environmentally sustainable production can be obtained. Systematic research is required to develop knowledge of the linkage between the type and composition of biomass feedstock, carbonization technology, and activation methods on the electrochemical performance.

Read more about our benefits and what it ish a brief des like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/
Duties:
The applicant will conduct independent research using by-products from Nordic forestry and forest industries as precursor materials to produce activated carbons for electrochemical purposes. The candidate will develop efficient routes for carbonization (e.g., HTC, conventional pyrolysis, and microwave pyrolysis) and activation (chemical and physical) and characterize the resulting biochars with appropriate analysis methods (e.g., standard biomass analyses, SEM, sorption properties, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, surface area and pore distribution analyses, tomography, electrical conductivity, etc.). The candidate will have the primary responsibility for establishing and expanding this specific line of research at the department; an ability to create a relevant collaborative network is therefore crucial. The holder of the researcher position is expected to lead all aspects of the projects and planning of the studies, independently coordinate the practical work and analyses, be active in application writing and building research networks, and be productive in scientific publishing.

The research is performed within the research environments Bio4Energy (www.bio4energy.se) and Treesearch (www.treesearch.se) and thus provides unique access to research infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaborations. The position is located in Umeå at the Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology. The research group has thorough expertise in biomass materials and thermal treatment and access to a unique infrastructure and technical support at the Biomass Technology Center.

Qualifications:
Applicants must have a doctoral degree in materials engineering and evident expertise in thermal treatment and activation of bio-based materials to obtain functionalized bio-carbons for advanced applications. He/she must have a proven ability to initiate independently, conduct, and complete research projects and create and publish the results in international scientific journals. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English demonstrated in peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations are prerequisites for the position.

In evaluating the candidates, emphasis will be put on scientific output and evidence of independence and creativity. A strong collaboration network and a breadth of previous experience from academic environments (e.g., through postdoc positions) are considered strengths.

Place of work:
Umeå

Form of employment:
Permanent employment. SLU may apply probationary employment.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
September 2023 or by agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2023-07-31, use the button below.

The applicant should enclose the following documents: 1) Personal letter stating the applicant's motivation and interest in the subject area (max. 2 pages), 2) C.V. which includes a list of published works (if any), as well as contact information for three personal references; 3) Certificate of academic merit or a copy / link to the applicant's doctoral dissertation.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



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.