Karlstad University / Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences

Sapere Aude—dare to be wise—is our motto. Our students and employees develop knowledge and expertise that enrich both people and the world around them. Our academic environment is characterised by curiosity, courage and perseverance. Gender equality, diversity and a democratic approach form the foundation of our organisation. We are located in an active and scenic region and we promote sustainable development in close collaboration with the wider society.
 
Karlstad University has a total of approximately 1,400 employees and 19,000 students spread across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika.
 
More information at: kau.se/en/work-with-us

Background
The Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences at the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology has around 50 staff members and offers courses as part of four engineering study programmes as well as the teachers training programmes. The department comprises four subjects: Building and Construction Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Environmental and Energy Systems. Research and teaching in Chemical Engineering are mainly focused on chemical engineering processes in forest- industrial applications as well as on the chemical mechanisms of the materials’ interactions and properties. Research is conducted in close cooperation with international, national and regional partners from the academy and industry.

The department hosts the Pro2BE research environment (Processes and products for a circular bio- economy; https://www.kau.se/en/pro2be), comprising around 20 researchers. Pro2BE focuses on sustainable solutions for process technology and product applications in the forestry industry and broader society. Pro2BE is based on robust regional and national partnerships, and researchers manage and participate in various international projects.

The subject Chemical Engineering and the Pro2BE research environment are currently in an expansion phase and we are therefore seeking a doctoral student who will be based at the Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences. The research group has a prominent position in the area of process and materials technology research on the barrier coatings of fibre-based packaging. We study renewable materials and innovative coating techniques using advanced experimental equipment and various modelling techniques.

Position description and Duties
The successful applicant will join a team of researchers focusing on computational fluid dynamics, mass transfer models, rheological characterization of complex fluids and life cycle analysis of renewable packaging solutions. The studies will involve experimental work as well as modelling of the coating process.

The research focus of the doctoral student will be on:

  • To experimentally modify the surface chemistry/properties of the nanocellulose material to affect both rheological performance (as a basis for CFD studies performed in the research group) and barrier performance.
  • To perform rheological characterization, partake in CFD modeling activities, and produce laboratory coatings with subsequent barrier and surface characterization.
  • To conduct life cycle assessments for the detailed and complete life cycle of such kind of packaging material, but with a particular focus on materials and on the coating process.

A doctoral student is mainly expected to engage in doctoral studies. The doctoral programme consists of 240 higher education credits, including the doctoral thesis. Departmental duties, such as teaching, or other tasks, may be allocated up till 20% of full-time.

Eligibility
For admission to doctoral studies applicants must meet the requirements of both general and special eligibility (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 7 sect. 35)

Applicants who have a Master's degree of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 credits at Master level, or who have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad, meet the general eligibility requirements.

In addition to the general entry requirements, persons who fulfil the following specific entry requirements qualify for admission to the doctoral programme:

  • At least 120 credits in Chemical Engineering or another main field of study appropriate to the project,
  • Or a Master of Science in Engineering degree, or equivalent, in Chemical Engineering or another main field of study appropriate to the project,
  • Or equivalent qualifications.

Admission and assessment criteria
For admission to doctoral studies an applicant must be judged to have the ability required to pursue the programme successfully (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 7, sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

The final selection is based on an overall assessment of the relevance of applicants’ prior studies for the current project, prior study results and the quality of independent research or investigative projects. The subject’s capacity to provide supervision is also considered. Work experience of relevance for doctoral- level studies, the applicant’s language skills, intended physical presence at the workplace and other personal qualities that may be displayed in for instance interviews are all significant in the selection process.

Special weight is given to:

  • Knowledge and experience of experimental work with chemical engineering equipments
  • Knowledge and experience of Computational fluid dynamics tools (e.g. Ansys Fluent, OpenFOAM or similar) and life cycle assessment & LCA modeling tools.

Terms of employment
Upon admission to doctoral studies, a studentship position will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 5, sect.3). The position is a full-time, fixed-term employment (one year that can be extended by two years at the most at a time) with starting-date by agreement.

Further information
Karlstad University places great value on the enriching presence of diverse backgrounds and gender balance in the organisation. We welcome applicants with different cultural backgrounds, gender identities, functional abilities and life experiences.

Application
Application should include well documented qualifications. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement before deadline and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications. Give two references, of which at least one is a former or present supervisor, or equivalent.

Application should include

  • Letter of application with description of your background and your interest in the position,
  • List of qualifications (CV),
  • Degree certificate with transcripts of courses completed, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates,
  • Copy of a Master thesis (one or two years) or equivalent,
  • Copies of publications or certificate of other qualifications, if applicable,
  • Letter of recommendation, if possible.

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi, and attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not provide links to them). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to:

Karlstads universitet
Fakulteten för hälsa, natur och teknikvetenskap
Åsa Ivansson
651 88 KARLSTAD

Last day of application: 31 October 2019
State the ref. no: REK 2019/164.
We look forward to your application!

Contact
Dr. Gunilla Carlsson Kvarnlöf, Head of department, +46 (0)54 700 11 94, +46 (0)72 222 19 19, gunilla. carlsson-kvarnlof@kau.se

Dr. Raza Naqvi, Associate Professor (Chemical Engineering), +46 (0)54 700 23 19, raza.naqvi@kau.se

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and firmly declines any contact with advertising or recruitment agencies.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment 1 November 2019
Salary According to local agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Karlstad
County Värmlands län
Country Sweden
Reference number REK2019/164
Contact
  • Gunilla Carlsson Kvarnlöf, +46 (0)54 700 11 94,, +46 (0)72 222 19 19
  • Raza Naqvi, +46 (0)54 700 23 19,, raza.naqvi@kau.se
Union representative
  • Denita Gustavsson, OFR, 054-700 1434
  • Thomas Bragefors, SACO, 054-700 1714
Published 19.Sep.2019
Last application date 31.Oct.2019 11:59 PM CET

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