Doctoral student in Chemical Engineering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description
The goal of the project is to develop and evaluate a process for recycling textile waste that also fractionates the raw material based on fiber quality. High quality cellulose fibers are returned to the textile system as regenerated cellulose, while the fibers that due to wear and hydrolysis have a low molecular weight and crystallinity are first recycled as monomeric sugar, which can be used as a raw material in the production of various monomers for fiber production.

90% of the world's textile waste ends up in landfill or incineration, with or without energy recovery, which is a waste of resources. By returning materials to the consumer system, the energy demand in the production processes will be reduced, at the same time as a waste and environmental problem is handled.

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 tasks involve conducting laboratory research for partial degradation of cellulose from textile materials as well as process development of other key processes that support the process development of a “textile to new materials” process. Tasks that are currently identified are;

1. Acid hydrolysis and partial acid hydrolysis of textile cellulose
2. Analyzes of raw materials and products by HPLC, GC, and other related methods
3. Development of separation processes, e.g. membrane processes and evaporation for material recycling in the process.
4. Report and article writing for reporting results

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• 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 subject if the applicant has:

• a specialised project of at least 30 second-cycle credits in the subject.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience of processes for the decomposition of textile cellulose.
• Experience of HPLC analysis methods for cellulosic raw materials and the formed products from the process
• Documented experience of working in projects together with other research actors and companies

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:

• Merit for the employment is a documented ability to work independently in research and problem solving of chemical engineering problems as well as an understanding of how different processes in a process design affect each other.

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.).

You are also asked to answer the job specific questions.