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

Are you interested in process engineering and renewable energy? Apply for this doctoral studentship in environmental and energy system with specialisation in forest and industrial engineering!

The Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences at the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology comprises four subjects: environmental and energy systems, chemical engineering, chemistry, and building and construction engineering. The department has a staff of around 50 members and offers courses as part of four study programmes in engineering, teacher training programmes as well as the Bachelor Programme in Chemistry. Most departmental research is conducted as part of the research group Pro2BE (Processes and Products for a Circular BioEconomy), which includes researchers from the disciplines environmental and energy systems, chemical engineering, and chemistry, and specialises in sustainable process engineering and product application solutions for the forestry industry. Pro2BE has a solid foundation in regional and national partnerships, and researchers are actively involved in both national and international collaborative projects. One of Pro2BE’s functions is to ensure skills supply to regional forestry actors. For further information on Pro2BE, see https://www.kau.se/en/pro2be.

We are seeking a doctoral student in the discipline of environmental and energy systems at Karlstad University, who will join the project on secure and well-characterised raw materials and products through innovative adaption of pellets manufacturing processes (SVINPELS), funded by the Swedish Energy Agency. The successful applicant will be stationed at Karlstad University, but will also collaborate with researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). This process-focused project aims to design a new process stage for resin maturation of pine chips and further develop energy-effective dewatering and drying of sawdust.

Duties
This doctoral project involves experimental laboratory work and the processing of generated data. The work further involves contact with industrial work and process managers. The successful applicant is expected to perform experiments thoroughly and have good written and spoken skills in English. Work travel and temporary placement at another laboratory may be required.

Entry requirements and selection
General as well as specific entry requirements have to be met for admittance to doctoral-level studies, and the applicant must be considered to have the capacity to complete a programme at the doctoral level successfully (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 6). General entry requirements are fulfilled by a person who has earned a master’s degree and at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 credits are master-level studies, or who in some other way in Sweden or abroad has acquired largely equivalent knowledge (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 7).

For admission to the doctoral programme in environmental and energy systems, applicants also need to fulfil specific entry requirements, namely the equivalent of a master-level degree in the discipline. An individual applicant who has acquired equivalent knowledge in a different manner may be assessed to fulfil special entry requirements.

In the selection and ranking of applicants who fulfil general and specific entry requirements, weight is given to: 

  • Knowledge of pulp engineering and/or wood chemistry
  • Experience of laboratory work in the area of forest industrial process engineering
  • Spoken and written skills in English
  • Publications in scientific journals
  • Spoken and written skills in Swedish

Karlstad University strives to maintain gender balance and we therefore encourage women to apply.

Admission
Admission to the doctoral programme is based on individual assessment of qualifications and capacity to complete a programme at the doctoral level successfully. Further information on the university’s doctoral programmes is available at https://www.kau.se/en/research/doctoral-studies/apply-doctoral-studies/about-doctoral-studies.

Terms of employment
This is a time-limited, full-time position (contract annually renewed for one year) with a starting date as per agreement. The holder of a doctoral studentship should mainly focus on completing their own doctoral studies. Additional departmental duties such as teaching and administration may be included (max. 20% of full-time) (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 5).

Application
The application should include:

  • application letter in which applicants briefly describe their research interests in relation to the advertised position,
  • CV,
  • copies of relevant course certificates and transcripts or lists of completed courses (including dates of completion and grades),
  • copy of master’s thesis or equivalent,
  • if applicable, copies of scientific publications, certificates or other qualifications,
  • letters of recommendation or the contact information of at least two references.

The application should include well-documented qualifications. Applicants are responsible for documenting qualifications in a way that allows for an objective and qualitative assessment of candidates so that all their skills can be assessed. More information is available in the document “Application Guidelines” on our homepage, https://www.kau.se/en/work-us/work/vacancies.

Applications are made electronically via the university’s web-based recruitment tool Varbi. All documents and publications should be attached to the electronic application (do not provide links only), and should be submitted before the deadline.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address (state ref. no REK 2019/72): Karlstads universitet, Fakulteten för hälsa, natur- och teknikvetenskap, Att.: Åsa Ivansson, 651 88 KARLSTAD.

Karlstad University has chosen advertising channels for this recruitment and declines any contacts from advertising or recruitment agencies.

 

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary According to local agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Karlstad
County Värmlands län
Country Sweden
Reference number REK2019/72
Contact
  • Jonas Berghel, professor, +46 (0)54 700 12 47,, jonas.berghel@kau.se
Union representative
  • Denita Gustavsson, OFR, +46 (0)54 700 1434
  • Thomas Bragefors, SACO, +46 (0)54 700 1714
Published 08.May.2019
Last application date 09.Jun.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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