Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering with focus on Membrane Technology

The Membrane Group at the Department of Process and Life Science Engineering (PLE), Division of Chemical Engineering at Lund University is the leading and established research group in Sweden with a focus on membrane-based separation processes. The group's expertise includes both conventional membrane technologies – such as reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration – and emerging processes such as electrodialysis and membrane distillation. A central part of the group's research is the development of new membrane applications with special attention to the connection between water, food and energy, as well as fouling and cleaning.

The new tenure track position will be integrated into the Membrane Group and is part of a strategic initiative to strengthen research and education in membrane technology for sustainable applications. We welcome interdisciplinary collaborations both within the department and between faculties. The department also conducts research in related areas such as biorefineries, carbon capture, biotechnological processes, drug formulation and wastewater treatment.

The department has strong expertise in separation processes, reaction engineering, modelling and wastewater treatment. The teaching staff consists of approximately 15 faculty members, supported by several postdoctoral researchers and approximately 25 doctoral students. The research is further supported by two research engineers.

A large part of the applied research at TRL 4–6 focuses on the development of applications and upscaling of processes and is conducted within the framework of Lund University's Pre-Pilot Plant – a collective infrastructure shared with the division of Food and Pharma and the division of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology and includes MemLab – an industrial centre for research and development of membrane processes.

We are looking for a candidate who can complement and further develop the group's research in membrane processes. This may include expertise in areas such as integrated continuous membrane operations, hybrid separation systems, and the application of membranes in emerging sectors. Although the development of membrane materials is part of the broader research landscape, the focus of this position is on process design, system integration, and optimization of performance.

Teaching at first, second and third cycle level is a central part of the department's mission. The successful candidate will contribute to courses in separation processes, transport phenomena and process modelling, and help students develop skills to formulate and solve engineering problems using modern computational tools.

Since a significant part of the teaching at the undergraduate level is in Swedish, the employee is expected to actively work to achieve sufficient language skills in Swedish for teaching within six years.

Finally, we recognize that research priorities change over time. While today's most pressing challenges in chemical engineering include food, pharmaceuticals, energy, and clean water, these can change. This recruitment is a long-term investment, and we expect the candidate to be adaptable and responsive to new research needs throughout their academic career.

Subject

Chemical Engineering in Membrane Technology.

Subject description

The subject of the position is membrane technology, with a particular focus on emerging processes such as electrodialysis, membrane distillation, and development of membrane materials and modules using advanced techniques such as 3D printing. The research and teaching responsibilities in the subject cover a wide range of applications in water treatment, food processing, biorefineries, as well as batteries and carbon capture.

The subject also covers applications of membrane technology in sustainable industrial processes, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and integration with emphasis on key societal challenges in energy, water and food systems.

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:

• Research in the subject area, including sustainable industrial processes and interdisciplinary collaboration within and outside PLE
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies. 
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and society. 
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.
• The candidate is expected to strengthen PLE's contacts with industrial partners and further develop ongoing international collaborations, especially within LTH's profile areas Energy Transition, Water, and Food and Bio.

The successful candidate will integrate advanced technologies into both specialized and foundational courses, thereby building a bridge between cutting-edge research and fundamental principles in chemical engineering. The employee is expected to contribute to core areas of chemical engineering, such as separation processes, transport phenomena and reaction engineering, to ensure that both undergraduate and graduate students gain a strong understanding of these fundamental topics. 

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:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability. 

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented research related to membrane processes, membrane applications and development of membranes and modules
• As part of their application, the applicant should submit a research plan describing the research intended to be conducted during the employment, and how the applicant's scientific background can contribute to the development of the subject at Chemical Engineering at Lund University. The quality of the research plan will be a significant part of the application assessment. The research plan should also describe the type of research infrastructure at Lund University and/or at facilities with open application procedures that are deemed critical for the implementation of the plan
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.

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 industrial issues and/or experience of collaboration with industrial actors. 
Experience of experimental techniques/analytical methods related to membrane technology, e.g. chromatography, HPLC, SEM-EDX, AFM, BET and QCM-D. 
Ability to unite applied research with pedagogical innovation to ensure that both research and teaching at PLE remain at the forefront of membrane engineering and chemical engineering.
 

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 Membrane Technology

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: 

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise. 
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means. 

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:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and pedagogical tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.
• Progression in research and teaching expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to attract external research funding in competition.