Researcher wood science - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace 

The position is at the Division of Building Materials which is a division within the Department of Building and Environmental Technology at the Faculty of Engineering, Lund University. The research and teaching at the division mainly concern materials that are used in the construction sector. The research at the division thus involves a range of materials with the common main goal to study and understand processes in materials, most often in relation to moisture and durability.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University

Work duties 

The position connects to the division’s research on wood and bio-based materials and concerns work on modified wood. You will study both chemically and thermally modified wood and how these change the wood-water interactions. Chemical modification will be used to get a fundamental understanding of the role of water in fungal degradation of wood; in particular how the amount, location and state of water affects the degradability of the material. This will be done by combining precise control of both internal and external moisture conditions of the wood. You will work with chemical wood modifications to control the internal moisture conditions within the wood structure. Additionally, you will study thermally modified wood with the aim to understand how process parameters of the heat treatment process affects the moisture related properties and durability of the wood.

Some laboratory work will be performed in the labs of our collaboration partners at University of Copenhagen. The position thus includes travels to Copenhagen (1 hour by train from Lund). The position therefore gives you experience of and contacts in two research environments.

The work duties also involve writing of scientific papers, and participation at international conferences. In addition, the work duties can also involve applying for external funding as well as teaching.

Qualifications  

Required qualifications for the position are:

• A PhD or equivalent research qualification within wood science, material science, building material science or other subject relevant for the position. 
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 
• Experience in publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Documented experience of research on wood/biobased materials
• The ability to independently plan, perform and evaluate research studies.

Additional qualifications for the position are:

• Documented experience of research on modified wood/modification techniques
• Documented experience of research on moisture related properties of wood or biobased materials and/or durability related research.
• Experience of any of the techniques Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), sorption balance (DVS) and/or Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LFNMR).
• Experience in acquiring research funding.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development. 

Further information 

The position is a fixed term position for 12 months at 100 per cent of full time and starting in March 2022 or by agreement. 

How to apply 

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome with your application!