Vacant job

RISE Department of Agriculture and Circular Technology is now seeking a researcher with deep knowledge in the field of biological methanation, who can both step in and deliver directly within ongoing projects, and who can advance the field further.

Do you have both practical and theoretical experience in biological syngas methanation? Do you have experience and knowledge of trickle bed reactors as well as nutrient balances and nutrient solutions for methanation processes? Do you have experience in the operation of lab and/or pilot experiments including data processing and scientific publication from these? Are you looking for a challenging and stimulating work environment where you can apply your knowledge both theoretically and practically while driving the field forward? Then this could be the position for you!

About us The Department of Agriculture and Circular Technology belongs to the Bioeconomy division at RISE and consists of several units including Circular Technology. Circular Technology is divided into two units, Circular Technology 1 and Circular Technology 2, which work closely together and where the majority of the more than 20 employees are located in Uppsala.

Within Circular Technology, we work on research and development projects focused on society's and industry's transition to circular and climate-smart systems and technological solutions. We do this in close collaboration with universities, research funders, authorities, and the business community. The projects specifically involve applied development and investigation of new technology, innovative processes, and improved methods for extracting and valorizing energy, plant nutrients, and clean water from the organic waste streams of industry and society. The focus of this position will be on the area of biological methanation, but there may also be room and need for participation in other parts of the department's subject area of biogas and biorefinery, e.g., power-to-gas, biogas upgrading, and hydrogen applications related to various concepts for carbon dioxide capture and utilization.

About the role We are now seeking within Circular Technology 2 a researcher with deep knowledge in the field of biological methanation who can step directly in and deliver in ongoing projects in the area – both by being responsible for the operation of pilot experiments and by data processing and scientific publication of partially completed work.

You will be responsible for driving ongoing projects forward, while also having a shared responsibility for research and idea development leadership within the area. Your tasks will include, among other things, coordinating research applications and ensuring scientific quality, publishing scientifically, operating lab and pilot experiments on-site at RISE Uppsala and/or at host facilities/customers at other locations, designing pilot plants, and interacting with our lab operations.

The position also includes technical design of pilot plants and applied experimental setups, as well as contacts with other researchers and industry. Project management, quote and application work, and direct contact with our customers and funders are natural parts of the job. The work is almost exclusively project-based, where you, together with colleagues and customers, formulate, execute, analyze, and document various research and investigation tasks.

Your colleagues are like-minded, and your closest collaborators include everyone from highly skilled mechanics/technicians to civil engineers and researchers, all of whom have extensive experience in technology and process development for biogas production and related areas. Within the team, there are good resources and favorable conditions to turn your ideas into physical reality, including a dedicated workshop for the production of prototypes and pilot plants. You will work closely with the lab group at Circular Technology 1 as well as within the department's subject area of biogas and biorefinery.

The position is located in Uppsala, with physical presence at the office to oversee ongoing experimental setups. Travel in the form of site visits and operation of test beds, pilot plants, etc., located at host facilities/customers at other locations will occur at various intervals.

Who are you? As a researcher with deep knowledge in the field of biological methanation, you hold a PhD in the area and have:

 - both practical and theoretical experience in biological syngas methanation

 - deep experience and knowledge of trickle bed reactors (TBR)

 - deep knowledge of nutrient balances and nutrient solutions for methanation processes

 - previous experience in operating/being responsible for lab and/or pilot experiments as well as data processing of these.

  - experience in scientific publication

  - practical technical skills

  - good knowledge of Swedish and English, both spoken and written

We also appreciate that you are open to both the research role, but also project management and design, and are comfortable writing applications, experimental design, and scientific publication as well as working in an industrial environment.

It is advantageous if you have:

·       - Scientific contacts with SLU

·       - Existing contacts with host facilities at industrial partners in projects and industrial partners for future implementation

Examples of relevant work experience include technical consulting and doctoral training.

Welcome with your application! Would you like to know more? Please contact the recruiting manager Emelie Ljung Unit Manager Circular Technology 2, +46 10 516 69 85. The application deadline is December 30, 2026. Selection and interviews may take place during the application period.

Our union representatives are Ingemar Petermann, SACO, +46 10 228 41 22, and Linda Ikatti, Unionen, +46 10 516 51 61.