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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The Department of Chemistry offers a postdoctoral position in the field of Technical Chemistry that will mainly work on developing and testing membranes for harvesting blue energy based on Swedish natural and artificial water resources. The postdoctoral project includes the theoretical estimation of extractable energy, testing and characterizing the commercial membranes, synthesizing polymers, characterizing new membranes, and applying the prepared membranes for blue energy production. Last day to apply is July 31th 2021.

Project description
Our research group is focused on the design and synthesis of artificial membranes for gas separation, energy storage, and production. Currently, we focuses on designing and synthesizing new polymeric membranes for harvesting blue energy. In collaboration with Professor Frank Lipnizki research group at Lund University, we are going to develop a robust system for harvesting blue energy based on Swedish natural and artificial resources. The project is interdisciplinary, and the postdoctoral candidate will have the opportunity to plan and develop routes to synthesize novel membranes. The research involves the theoretical calculations for estimating the extractable energy, design, synthesis, and testing of new membranes, characterizing the membrane, and applying the prepared membrane in a lab scale unit. 

Working tasks
The postdoctoral project includes the theoretical estimation of extractable energy, designing, synthesizing, characterizing new polymeric membranes, and testing them in a lab-scale setup to produce the blue energy. Furthermore, commercial membranes from several companies need to be evaluated. The promising membranes will be tested in the pilot-scale setup that we are planning to build at Lund University for this purpose. As a postdoc, you will contribute with your knowledge to the research group, summarize the research and present your progress at group meetings. The employment is full-time for a period of two years, starting at a date decided in agreement between the two parties.

Qualifications
The required qualification is a doctoral degree or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent in chemistry in the field of polymer chemistry, chemical engineering or equivalent. Priority should be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. A candidate who has completed their degree prior to this may be considered if special circumstances exist. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave or clinical practice, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances. These must be clearly stated in the application.

You must have good knowledge of polymer chemistry, thermodynamic, membrane fabrication, membrane characterization, and application in energy production. As well as a documented good ability to conduct research and present it in writing in the form of scientific publications in expert-reviewed journals. You must be able to independently develop multistage syntheses and solve challenging synthetic problems in order to efficiently design, produce and characterize new membranes.

A desire to conduct research in a multidisciplinary project and in an environment that promotes collaboration between people with different skills, as well as excellent oral and written knowledge of English is required. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate. It is important that you are creative and have the ability and interest to co-operate with other team members.

Application
The application must be written in English or Swedish and contain the following documents:

  • A cover letter that describes qualifications, research interests, and motivation for application. Please specify how your previous experience fits with the advertised employment (maximum 2 pages).
  • A curriculum vitae, including a publication list.
  • A certified copy of doctoral degree certificate and other relevant degree certificates and grades.
  • Name and contact information of at least three reference persons.
  • Other documents that the applicant wishes to claim.

Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system Varbi no later than July 31th, 2021.

For further information, please contact D.Eng. Naser Tavajohi, tfn: +4690-786 60 61 or e-mail: naser.tavajohi@umu.se.

Information about the department
Department of Chemistry is the largest department in the Faculty of Science and Technology, with approximately 200 employees, including about 40 doctoral students, and with a strong and expanding research. Three major areas of research; Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry and Technical Chemistry, represents the research and chemistry education of our department. We are also a strong partner in KBC, The Chemical-Biological Centre. For more information about working at Umeå University: www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/.

 

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment By agreement
Salary Monthly
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-781-21
Contact
  • Naser Tavajohi, 090-7865000
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 12.May.2021
Last application date 31.Jul.2021 11:59 PM CEST

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