Postdoctoral Appointment, focus on surface modification of 3D packaging - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Background

The research group " Functional Surfaces and Sustainable Materials" of the Department of Engineering and Chemistry at Karlstad University is one of the participants in a VINNOVA-funded research project involving barrier coatings of cellulose fiber-based 3D packaging. The research group has a long history of research on sustainable coating of cellulose fiber-based packaging materials to achieve good barriers and functional properties. The research is frequently of multidisciplinary character and the group belongs to the research environment Processes and Products for a Circular BioEconomy (Pro2BE, https://www.kau.se/pro2be) at Karlstad University. Members of the Surface Treatment Research Group are active in international, national and regional networks and collaborative projects. In a recently launched project that includes manufacturing and surface treatment of paper-based 3D packaging, we need to strengthen our group with a postdoctoral appointment. The project is jointly funded by the strategic innovation program BioInnovation and participating Nordic industrial partners. The ability to manufacture functional and consumer-friendly 3D packaging from renewable raw materials is in line with the intentions of Pro2BE and BioInnovation to promote a transition to a bioeconomy based on circularity of renewable resources.

In the current project, the focus of Karlstad University's part of the project is processes and materials for good gas barriers of 3D cellulose fiber-based packaging. The project includes close cooperation with leading companies in the materials and process areas participating in the project.

The strategic innovation program BioInnovation is part of Sweden's innovation agency Vinnova’s, Swedish Energy Agency’s and Swedish Research Council Forma's joint venture in strategic innovation areas. BioInnovation supports the transition to a circular bioeconomy by supporting research activities that develop the properties and uses of bio-based materials.

Duties

The position as postdoctoral researcher is placed in the research group above, within Chemical Engineering at Karlstad University. The research area of this postdoctoral appointment is within environmentally friendly surface modification of packaging. More specifically, the postdoctoral position is addressed to barrier coating of 3D paper-based packaging intended to be in contact with food. The tasks include to develop and understand relevant materials and processes, in collaboration with other researchers active in the project. Both material and process research issues will be addressed. Innovative non-conventional paper coating techniques will be explored. You will work closely together with other researchers in a research environment with experience in the field of advanced coating of packaging materials. Parts of the work will be carried out in close collaboration with national research institutes and with the Nordic industrial companies, which are part of the consortium.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the position, applicants are required to hold a PhD in Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Polymer Technology, Paper Technology, Physical Chemistry or another area relevant for the project or have another degree with the equivalent qualifications. The candidate must have completed the degree no more than three years before the last date for applications, unless special ground exists. The applicant must have a good command of English (written and oral).

Assessment criteria

Considerable weight is given to applicants’ academic merits with respect to relevant research areas. The ability to successfully perform advanced research, addressed to sustainable surface treatment of paper-based 3D packaging is valuable. Good knowledge about surface structures of polymer-coated cellulose-based materials and about analyses of gas barrier properties of packaging materials are desirable. Good ability to work in teams and a positive attitude towards colleagues are of considerable weight. The evaluation will also be based on the applicant’s ability to work in an innovative research network consisting universities, institutes and industrial enterprises of different size.

Terms of Employment

The position is a full-time employment for research. The employment is limited to 22 months. The starting date as soon as possible, no later than August 15, 2018.

Application

Application should include well documented qualifications. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted no later than the application deadline.

The application should include:

• Application letter briefly describing the applicant’s qualifications and research interests in relation to the duties of the position
• Detailed list of qualifications/CV
• List of publications
• Copies of relevant transcripts, degree certificates, employment certificates and letters of recommendation
• Copy of doctoral thesis and other relevant publications
• Other documents the applicant wants to submit
• Information on language skills
• Contact information to at least two references

Submit your application via the university’s web based recruitment tool and attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not provide links to them).

One copy of documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to Karlstads universitet, Registrator, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden.

State ref.no: REK2018/89

Application deadline: June 8, 2018

We look forward to your application!