Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

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Perfluorinated substances in household waste and degradation/transformation during waste incineration

The PhD student position is part of the Industrial Graduate School (IDS) at Umeå University which aims at increasing the collaboration between Umeå University, companies and public organisations. The main focus is on perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) and their occurrence in household waste, and the main objective of the project is to clarify how waste handling and incineration may serve as a source of dispersal of PFAS, alternatively as a reduction and/or destruction mechanism. The application deadline is 2018-05-18.

Description
PFAS is a collective term for perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances. They are very stable and may be extensively distributed in the environment. PFAS are found in a wide range of products and will end up in waste incineration plants when these products reach their end-of-life. You will study what happens to PFAS during waste storage and pre-treatment, and in the combustion process, and by which routes they are released to the surrounding environment from waste management activities. The main objective of this project is to clarify how waste incineration may serve as a source of dispersal of PFAS, alternatively as a reduction and/or destruction mechanism, and the goal is to identify possible routes of release into the environment and to propose solutions to how such release is to be prevented.

The practical work will be done in close collaboration with industry and will include realistic leaching tests in lab-scale and pre-pilot scale, using actual solid wastes. Transformation and degradation of PFAS will be studied in combustion trials of a simulated waste fuel. The PhD student will be employed by Umeå University, while parts of the practical work will be carried out on site at the Umeå Energi combined heat and power plant. Umeå Energi AB (www.umeaenergi.se) is a municipality-owned company that through waste and biomass incineration provides district heating to large portions of Umeå. The company also manages the Umeå electricity grid, provides internet connections and trades electricity, both from the open market and their own production.

Umeå University Industrial Doctoral School for research and innovation
The Industrial Doctoral School (IDS) is a multidisciplinary research school where the projects are based on collaborations between Umeå University and external organizations. The PhD students in IDS form an interdisciplinary group that, in addition to each scientific specialization, is given a tailor-made course package providing a solid basis for future work within research and development. A PhD position in IDS also includes a three-month internship at the external organizations for each doctoral student.

Admission requirements
You are required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level, or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level in chemistry, you are required to have completed first-cycle courses of at least 90 ECTS credits within the field of chemistry, or in a subject considered to be directly relevant for the specialization in question. Of those 90 ECTS credits, at least 15 ECTS credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level within the specialization in question, or an equivalent subject.

This project will be carried out within a research group focusing on thermal processes that utilize biomass, waste fractions and other biomaterials. You should have a keen interest in the area and be prepared to take on the scientific and technical challenges. Very good command of the English language, both written and spoken, is required. Training and/or experience in environmental chemistry, waste materials, combustion chemistry, leaching behavior/aquatic chemistry and surface chemistry is very qualifying. You should be creative, with good interpersonal and collaborative skills, power of initiative, and a high degree of independence.

About the position
The position is intended to result in a doctoral degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies which include both participation in research and postgraduate courses. The duties can include teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%). Employment is limited to four years full-time, or up to five years when including teaching part time. Salary is set in accordance with the established salary ladder for PhD position.

Application
A complete application should contain the following documents:

  • A cover letter including a description of your research interests, your reasons to apply for the position, and your contact information
  • A curriculum vitae, including a list of BSc and/or MSc theses and, if applicable, research publications
  • Copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades
  • Contact information of at least two reference persons

The application can be written in Swedish or English. Applications must be submitted via our recruiting system. The last day to apply is 2018-05-18. For more information please contact Assoc. Prof. Stina Jansson, phone: 090-7867622, email: stina.jansson@umu.se

About us
Information about the Department of Chemistry, see: www.chemstry.umu.se/english Information about the postgraduate education can be found on the Faculty of Science and Technology website: http://www.teknat.umu.se/english/doctoral-studies/. For more information about working at Umeå University, https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment By agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-722-18
Contact
  • Stina Jansson, 0907867622
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 18.Apr.2018
Last application date 18.May.2018 11:59 PM CEST

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