PhD Student in the Industrial Doctoral School: Forest-Industrial Processes - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

New research points to a great potential for resource-efficient wood chipping and impregnation. Within the framework of the Industrial Doctoral School, we are looking for a doctoral student for a project in collaboration with MoRe Research. Welcome with your application no later than August 2, 2021.

Study tasks
The doctoral studies are aimed at a doctoral degree where the main task is research within the project "Resource-efficient chipping and improved impregnation of wood chips for forest-industrial processes" with support from the Umeå University Industrial Doctoral School for Research and Innovation and MoRe Research. In addition to the research assignment, participation in postgraduate courses is also included.

You will be part of an international research group focused on biorefinery processes and especially forest-industrial processes. Our research is carried out in laboratories at the Department of Chemistry, which is part of the KBC Chemical-Biological Center in Umeå, and at the High Coast Innovation Park in Örnsköldsvik, where we collaborate with e.g. units within RISE such as MoRe Research and RISE Processum, as well as with companies in the biorefinery industry and the forestry sector. The research covers both basic and applied aspects of woody feedstocks and is also part of the activities within the strategic research initiative Bio4Energy and more specifically within the research platform Biopolymers and Biochemical Conversion Technologies. Among other things, Bio4Energy offers postgraduate courses within the framework of Bio4Energy Graduate School.

The current research project focuses on initial steps in the conversion of woody feedstocks for forest-industrial processes, more specifically wood chipping and impregnation of wood chips. The research includes both established forest-industrial processes as well as new biorefinery processes where wood is chipped and undergoes impregnation in connection with hydrothermal pretreatment prior to biochemical conversion. Our previous research in the field has shown good potential for new technology in the areas of chipping and impregnation. The project will use pilot and demonstration facilities at the High Coast Innovation Park and will be carried out in close collaboration with MoRe Research. We also collaborate with organizations such as RISE Processum, Multi Channel Sweden and Sekab.

Competence requirements
To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level 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 another subject considered to be directly relevant to 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 or an equivalent subject.

Good knowledge of English in both speech and writing is required.

Further education in chemical engineering, bioresource engineering, or other forest-industrial chemistry and chemical engineering is meritorious.

You will work both in groups and independently. It is therefore important that you as a person are proactive, show independence towards set goals, and have a good ability to work together with others.

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 strong platform for future work within research and development.

Terms of employment
The appointment aims at a PhD degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, which includes participation in research projects as well as postgraduate courses. In the assignments, teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%) can be included. The employment is limited to four years full-time or up to five years when part-time teaching. The salary placement takes place according to the established salary level for doctoral employment. Place of study is Örnsköldsvik.

Application
A complete application should contain the following documents:

• A cover letter including a description of your research interests and motivation for applying
• A Curriculum Vitae
• Certified copies of degree certificates or equivalent, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades
• Name and contact information of at least two reference persons

Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system no later than August 2, 2021. Interviews may be conducted on an ongoing basis.

For more information please contact Prof. Leif Jönsson, +46-(0)90-7866811, leif.jonsson@umu.se.

About us
The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees, of which approximately 40 doctoral students, and a strong and expanding research. The Department has three major research areas: Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry, and Technical Chemistry. We are also a strong partner in the KBC Chemical-Biological Center. Information about the postgraduate education can be found on the Faculty of Science and Technology website: www.umu.se/en/faculty-of-science-and-technology/education/doctoral-studies/chemistry/. For more information about working at Umeå University, https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/