Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, Institutionen för kemiteknik

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.

The Department of Chemical Engineering is innovative in separation technology and reaction technology. Our work has a clear connection to Agenda 2030 through a research focus on energy and cost-effective processes.
Collaboration with industry and other research groups both inside and out of Sweden is an important component of our strategy.
Our students and employees experience a pleasant and inclusive environment at the Department.

An important task for the transition to a more sustainable society is the  development of new process technology for conversion of renewable resources, such as biomass, to materials, chemicals and fuels. The Department of Chemical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering conducts extensive research within this field, and we are now hiring a PhD candidate to work in a new research project aiming at improving bioprocesses for production of lactic acid – an important compound for e.g. biodegradable polymers. This project is a collaboration with a leading Chinese university and the project is jointly financed by the Swedish Research Council and the National Natural Science foundation of China. 

Work duties
The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The research work is to a large extent experimental, aiming at the development of new process technology for conversion of biomass to lactic acid, via hydrolysis and microbial conversion based on an analysis of properties of new bacterial strains.  You will be conducting laboratory scale experiments, involving both fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis of different types of feedstocks. In addition, chemical analysis work as well as mathematical modelling will be part of the research work. The department of Chemical Engineering has a broad reseach activity within the biorefinery field and you will be part of a larger group of PhD students and researchers who work on different aspects of fermentation and process technology for biomass conversion. This specific research project will take place in collaboration with East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), Shanghai, and you will be expected to make short time research stays at ECUST.

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

  • has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
  • has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
  • has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Chemical Engineering if he or she has:

  • completed a project work of at least 30 credits at an advanced level within Chemical Engineering or Biotechnology

Additional requirements:

Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

  1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
  2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
  3. Written and oral communication skills
  4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

Skills in Applied Biotechnology based on experimental experience of:

  • Bioreactors
  • Enzyme technology
  • Microbial cultivation
Knowledge and skills in mathematical modelling within e.g.
  • Kinetic and stoichiometric modelling of cellular metabolism
  • Process modelling

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§. 

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Type of employment Temporary position
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2019/153
Contact
  • Gunnar Lidén, +46462220862
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
Published 21.Jan.2019
Last application date 11.Feb.2019 11:59 PM CET

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