Lunds universitet, Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten, kemiska institutionen

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

2-year postdoctoral position in characterization of man-made cellulose fibers using small and wide angle X-ray scattering. 

Background

The global demand for textile fibers is strongly growing, while the world wide production of cotton appears to have reached its peak, partly because of the competition for the cultivable land. Cotton production is furthermore associated with significant environmental stress and there are strong incitements for replacing both cotton and the petroleum based polyester fibers, with a more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative. Man-made textile fibers from wood cellulose based on a sustainable forestry show great potential to fulfill these future demands.

Tasks

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to a project dealing with the understanding of wood based cellulose regeneration in fiber spinning. The formal placement of the position is at the Division of Physical Chemistry (http://www.physchem.lu.se), Lund University, but the project will be conducted in close collaboration with Swerea IVF (https://www.swerea.se/en/areas-of-expertise/materials-production/textiles-production/wet-spinning), and with TreeToTextiles AB. The project deals with the production of textile fibers from wood based cellulose. Your task will be to spin fibers and to characterize them using in particular small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) and mechanical testing. The purpose is to learn how the final fiber structure depends on solution properties, coagulation medium and process parameters, and how fiber structure affects fiber quality, e.g. its mechanical properties. Knowledge that may help us design optimum conditions for fiber spinning.

For recent relevant publications from the group see e.g. [1] Asaadi, S. et al. Carbohydrate Polymers 2018, 181, 893. [2] Gubitosi, M. et. al. R. Soc. open sci. 2017, 4, 1704871. [3] Hagman, J. et al. Cellulose 2017, 23, 247. [4] Gubitosi, M. et al. Biomacromolecules 2016, 17, 2873.

You will join the Division of Physical Chemistry (http://www.physchem.lu.se), a dynamic and successful research environment focusing on soft and colloidal matter. SAXS/WAXS will be performed on our in-house pinhole instrument, but we will also make use of the CoSAXS beamline (https://www.maxiv.lu.se/accelerators-beamlines/beamlines/cosaxs/), at the MAX IV synchrotron in Lund. Parts of the work, in particular fiber spinning and mechanical testing, will be performed at Swerea IVF in Mölndal. The project is associated with the national research platform Treesearch (http://www.treesearch.se/en/home/).

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have the following qualifications:

  • PhD in the area of physical chemistry, soft matter physics or equivalent, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.
  • Ability to conduct research both independently, and as a member of a team.
  • Fluent in English (written and spoken).
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills to allow for presentation to specialists as well as to scientists outside the area of research. 

Additional desirable skills

  • Documented experience in characterizing soft matter using small angle scattering.
  • Documented experience in programming in Matlab, Python or a similar language. 

Application

The application should contain the following parts:

  • A CV, including date of public PhD thesis defense or equivalent, title of thesis, previous appointments, current position and academic distinctions (max. two pages).
  • A full list of publications.
  • A brief outline of current research (max. one page).
  • Names and contact information of at least 3 professional references.
  • A cover letter where you also outline why you find this project and research area interesting, and how you believe you can contribute to the project in question.

The salary is set according to the regulations at Lund University and is related to the time since PhD exam and the skills and performance in the given research area.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset. We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.

Further information about the positions is given by Professor Ulf Olsson (ulf.olsson@fkem1.lu.se).

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Accordning to agreement for two years
Salary Monthly
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2018/1327
Contact
  • Ulf Olsson, Professor, +46 46 222 81 59, ulf.olsson@fkem1.lu.se
  • My Geborek, HR Officer, +46 46 222 95 62, mt.geborek@science.lu.se
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 08.May.2018
Last application date 07.Jun.2018 11:59 PM CEST

Return to job vacancies