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 Process and Life Science Engineering (PLE) at Lund University is located at Kemicentrum, one of the Nordics' largest centers for education and research in the field of chemistry. PLE has around 150 employees, of which around 65 are PhD students. The department offers a broad competence in areas such as chemical engineering, food technology, biotechnology and technical microbiology. The research and education at PLE spans the entire subject of chemistry and includes both undergraduate and graduate education. The Department of Process Engineering and Applied Biosciences (PLE) at Lund University works actively to ensure a good working environment through several initiatives and routines. PLE encourages open communication and collaboration between employees, students and management to continuously improve and have regular meetings and dialogues to discuss workplace safety.
The Division of Chemical Engineering has a long tradition of research in advanced process technology with various process applications, especially downstream processes for biological pharmaceuticals. Throughout the research in the field, the focus is on utilizing model-based computational technology to study and solve advanced separation problems. The assistant professor position will be part of the advanced process engineering group. We look positively at cross-group collaborations both within and outside the department. At the department, for example, there is research in biotechnological processes and drug formulation. The purpose of the recruitment is to strengthen the department's work in advanced process engineering in pharmaceutical applications, particularly in biological pharmaceuticals and in cell and gene therapy.
Within the division there are competencies in separation processes, reaction technology, modeling and water purification. The teaching staff consists of approximately 15 people who are supplemented by a few more postdocs and ca. 25 PhD students. To support the research, the department has 2 research engineers and 2 administrators.
Chemical engineering conducts applied and basic research in several different areas that in one or more ways aim to fulfill the goals within Agenda 2030. An important part of these goals is related to energy and material production. To enable a shift from fossil raw materials to bio-based ones, systems for conversion and fractionation of biomass at different levels must be available.
Much of the department's applied research at TRL 4-6 is related to scaling up various processes. This part of the research is conducted within the framework of the Lund University Pre-Pilot Plant, which is a consolidation of large-scale laboratory infrastructure at the divisions of Chemical Engineering, Food and Pharmaceuticals, and Biotechnology.
For the position as assistant professor, we are looking for a candidate who can supplement and further develop the department's research in advanced process engineering for biological pharmaceutical applications. Different competences can complement the already ongoing research, either by working in chromatographic separation techniques for biological materials or in integrated continuous downstream processes.
Teaching at basic, advanced and postgraduate level forms the cornerstones of chemical engineering's operations. As part of the employment, teaching at basic and advanced levels is included, where the student is expected to develop both their ability to formulate and solve process engineering problems with computational methods.
Since a large proportion of the department's teaching takes place at basic level where the language of instruction is Swedish, it will be assumed that the person proposed for the position also works actively to achieve a level in Swedish that enables them to teach in Swedish within a few years.
Finally, humanity is in constant change and over time various research questions will be important to solve. Right now, the most important issues in chemical engineering are food, pharmaceuticals, energy and clean water, but this can change incredibly quickly. Our recruitment of an assistant professor is a long-term investment on the part of the department, and during the course of a research career, a lot can happen that makes it necessary to reassess and evaluate the direction of the research. We therefore assume that as a candidate for employment you have the readiness, willingness and ability to change research focus over time in order to meet society's needs.
Subject
Chemical Engineering – with focus on advanced process engineering
Subject description
The subject of advanced process engineering includes the following:
Basic competence building to describe process engineering systems and formulate problem formulations that can be studied and solved with computational methods for design, dimensioning, sensitivity, robustness, optimization, automation, feedback control, etc.
Development of process engineering applications that demonstrate model-based methods but also challenge the development of new methods. The position focuses on, but is not limited to, downstream processing of biologics and for gene therapy.
Work duties
Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.
Work duties include:
Qualification requirements
Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.
Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within seven years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.
Assessment criteria
For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:
Additional requirements
Other qualifications
Significant documented research experience (e.g. from postdoc or doctoral studies) from another university/institute or relevant experience from industry/public sector. Documented research in downstream processes for biological drugs and/or for gene therapy. Documented research in industrial issues and/or experience of collaboration with industrial partners. Experience with experimental techniques in protein purification, e.g. chromatography, membrane/filter, as well as different types of detectors and analysis methods.
The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.
Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.
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: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university.
Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:
http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/
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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering with focus on advanced process engineering
During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.
Qualification requirements
Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:
Assessment criteria
The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:
Additional requirements
Type of employment | Temporary position |
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Contract type | Full time |
First day of employment | As soon as possible |
Salary | Monthly |
Number of positions | 1 |
Full-time equivalent | 100 % |
City | Lund |
County | Skåne län |
Country | Sweden |
Reference number | PA2025/1832 |
Contact |
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Union representative |
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Published | 04.Jul.2025 |
Last application date | 22.Aug.2025 |