Job Responsibilities

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the development of sustainable lignin-based coatings within an industry-funded research project at KTH.

You will be part of a dynamic research environment at the Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, where we develop sustainable materials based on lignin and cellulose.

In this role, you will:

Develop and optimize sustainable lignin-based coatings for industrial applications.
Conduct experimental laboratory work, including synthesis, formulation, and characterization of materials.
Analyze the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the developed coatings.
Collaborate with industrial partners to ensure that the research is relevant and applicable.
Participate in scientific publishing and conference attendance.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to research with a strong industrial foundation and to develop sustainable alternatives to conventional coatings. You will work in an interdisciplinary environment with access to advanced laboratory resources and expertise in polymer and materials science. Do you want to be part of the future research in sustainable materials? Apply now!

We Offer

An employment at a leading technical university that creates knowledge and competence for a sustainable future.
Engaged and ambitious colleagues as well as a creative, international, and dynamic environment.
Work in Stockholm with proximity to nature.

KTH's future workplace (https://www.kth.se/om/work-at-kth/kth-your-future-workplace-1.49050) and workplace with many benefits (https://www.kth.se/om/work-at-kth/en-arbetsplats-med-manga-formaner-1.467932).

Qualifications

Requirements

PhD degree or foreign degree deemed equivalent to a PhD. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled by the time the employment decision is made.
PhD in polymer technology, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field, or foreign degree deemed equivalent to a PhD.
Documented scientific proficiency through publications in international scientific journals.
Experience with polymer materials and coatings, particularly related to the development, formulation, and characterization of coatings.
Practical experience in experimental laboratory work, including material characterization using techniques such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, rheology, or mechanical testing.
Ability to work independently as well as drive and plan research projects.
Good communication skills in English, both spoken and written, as the work occurs in an international research environment and includes collaboration with industrial partners.

Meritorious

At the closing date of applications, no more than three years since the PhD degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a PhD was obtained.
Experience with lignin or other bio-based materials in polymer systems.
Experience collaborating with industry, particularly within industry-funded research projects.
Teaching ability and experience in supervision or teaching.
Project management skills, including experience coordinating research projects.
Awareness of diversity and equal treatment issues, with a particular focus on gender equality.
Collaborative skills and experience working in interdisciplinary research environments.

We will place great emphasis on personal qualities.

Union Representatives

Contact details for union representatives (https://www.kth.se/om/work-at-kth/fackrepresentanter-1.500898).

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. You as an applicant have the main responsibility for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted.

The application should include:

CV including relevant work experience and knowledge.
Copy of degree certificates and transcripts from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in either of these languages.
A brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Maximum 2 pages long.

The application must reach KTH by the closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis.

About the Employment

The employment is permanent, but for a maximum of two years.

A fixed-term merit position (https://www.arbetsgivarverket.se/globalassets/arbetsgivarverket/avtal-och-skrifter/avtal/avtal-om-tidsbegransad-anstallning-som-postdoktor/avtal-om-tidsbegransad-anstallning-som-postdoktor-2021-11-19.pdf) primarily focused on research intended as a first career step after the doctoral degree.

Other

The pursuit of gender equality, diversity, and equal opportunities is both a quality issue and an obvious part of KTH's values.

For union representatives (https://www.kth.se/om/work-at-kth/fackrepresentanter-1.500898) in connection with recruitment.

It may occur that an employment at KTH is placed in a security class. If this is the case for this employment, a security review of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) after consent. In these cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved after the security review.

We kindly decline direct contact with staffing and recruitment companies as well as sellers of job advertisements.

About KTH

KTH is one of Europe's leading technical universities and an important arena for knowledge development. As Sweden's largest university for technical research and education, we gather students, researchers, and faculty from all over the world. Our research and education encompass both natural sciences and all branches of engineering as well as architecture, industrial economics, urban planning, history, and philosophy. Learn more about KTH (https://www.kth.se/om/om-kth-1.885102).