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 Faculty of Health, Science and Technology invites applications for a doctoral studentship in Environmental and Energy Systems at the Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences. The department hosts the research group Pro2BE (Processes and Products for a Circular Bio Economy), which focuses on the transformation of the present economic/technical culture based on consumption of non-renewable resources, to a bioeconomy based on circularity of renewable resources. The Pro2BE research environment are currently in an expansion phase and we are therefore seeking a Ph. D. Student. Read more about Pro2BE at https://www.kau.se/en/pro2be. Specifically, the doctoral student will work in the research area Water-Energy Nexus, which works with a systems analysis perspective to create valuable resources such as biogas, bio-oil, biochar, bioplastics and bio-hydrogen from residual streams. Read more about Water-Energy Nexus at https://www.kau.se/en/pro2be/research-areas/water-energy-nexus.

Duties
The main duties involve examining the feasibility of nutritionally enriched biochar composite pellet product as a soil amendment in plant nurseries and new forests. This product is made of pulp and paper mill residues. The ultimate goal is to reduce waste, amend soil acidification and soil degradation, increase plant survivability and forest growth, and to mitigate climate change by binding carbon in the soil.

The project will involve lab-scale production of various composite biochar pellets, biochemical and techno-economic analysis of the produced pellets, and realistic plant trials using the new soil amendment product. The Ph.D. Student will work in close cooperation with forest industry companies. Workplace attendance is required.

This project connects to another research area where pulp and paper wastewater is used for the production of biodegradable plastics, as certain biochar production processes generate waste streams that can be refined to a suitable substrate for polymer-producing microorganisms. This angle will likely also be explored.

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.

Special eligibility for admission to doctoral studies in Environmental and energy systems requires knowledge corresponding to advanced level in the subject area, i.e. a M. Sc. in Environmental and Energy Systems, Industrial Ecology, Environmental Engineering, or another similar area relevant for the project.

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.

Specific considerations include: study and work results that show creativity, maturity, ability to self-assess and critical analysis; special knowledge and experience, e.g. qualifying professional and development experience, of importance for the applicant's ability to finish the education. Selection also takes into account the applicant's documented subject knowledge relevant to the field. The final selection is based on an overall assessment of the relevance to the project of the applicants' academic qualifications, work experience relevant to doctoral studies, and personal characteristics that appear, for example, in interviews.

Assessment is based on the following criteria. Special weight is given to the well-documented experience of laboratory work and other work in fields of relevance to the project: biochar production systems, biomass pelletizing process, plant growth studies, life cycle assessment, biochemical analysis, techno-economic analysis, material and energy flow modeling. Considerable weight is given to applicants’ academic merits related to the areas described under "Job description". Good oral and written skills in English are required. Weight is given to experience of successful cooperation with partners external to academia. As personal qualities, we are looking for ability to cooperate, to take responsibility, to commit to activities, to think analytically and creatively, and to have a positive attitude.

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 jeopardize 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,
- Verification of English language skills,
- 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
SWEDEN

Last day of application: 10 December 2019

State the ref. no: REK 2019/166.

We look forward to your application!

 

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 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 REK2019/166
Contact
  • Karin Granström, docent, karin.granstrom@kau.se, +46 (0)54 700 12 65
Union representative
  • Denita Gustavsson, OFR, +46 (0)54 700 1434
  • Thomas Bragefors, SACO, +46 (0)54 700 1714
Published 19.Nov.2019
Last application date 10.Dec.2019 11:59 PM CET

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