Postdoctoral scholarship at KTH (Stockholm) and Tor Vergata University (Rome)
KTH in Stockholm is the largest and oldest technical university in Sweden. No less than one-third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering education capacity at university level is provided by KTH. Education and research spans from natural sciences to all branches of engineering and includes architecture, industrial management and urban planning. There are a total of just over 14,000 first and second level students and more than 1,700 doctoral students. KTH has almost 4,600 employees.
The School of Chemical Science and Engineering includes the areas Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Fibre and Polymer Technology. It encompasses both fundamental and applied chemical sciences and seeks sustainable development through scientific excellence. Many research activities are interdisciplinary across the borders from chemistry to materials science, environmental science, biochemistry, biology and medicine. The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Science and Engineering, Higher Education Diploma in Chemical Engineering and three international Master programs: Chemical Engineering for Energy and the Environment, Macromolecular Materials and Molecular Science and Engineering. We cooperate also with the Master programs Energy and Environment, Materials design and Biotechnology.
Project overview
There is presently interest in creating new materials based on renewable resources to replace the traditional materials based on fossil resources. Woody biomass consists of three main polymers that are of interest to these new types of material; namely cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Currently, plenty of research on applications of cellulose and hemicelluloses are in progress. Lignin has however found limited interest due to that it is heterogeneous in structure and requires modification by creating new functional groups or blocking certain groups that may control its thermal and/or chemical stability. The following project focuses on the functionalization of different technical and traditional lignin sources as well as lignin carbohydrate complexes. Building on current research activities within the group of Prof. Crestini at the University ‘Tor Vergata’ and Assistant Prof. Lawoko at KTH, Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC), specific functionalization of the isolated lignin as well as lignin carbohydrate complexes (LCCs), will be investigated. The work will be strongly application driven and targets high value products from lignin such as sensitive lignin based polymers.
Description of position
The Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC) is a divison within the Scool of Chemical Science and Engineering at the Royal Institute of Technology, KTH. The research at the center focuses on new materials from trees.
The bioinorganic chemistry lab in Tor Vergata University is one of the few Italian Laboratories with significant R&D activities in the field of bleaching, lignin structural characterization, catalysis, biomimetic catalysis and biotechnology in lignin and lignans oxidative modifications.
The objective is to build a competence platform enabling new material concepts based on the renewable material lignin. Examples include chemo-enzymatic functionalization of lignin toward new biopolymers, smart materials and nanocapsules. The two laboratories are multidisciplinary and include, Cellulose and hemicellulose research, polyphenolic compounds research, polymer science, biotechnology, nanotechnology and NMR spectrometry.
KTH and Tor Vergata University are searching for a postdoc with a contract period of one year.
According to the objectives of the program the person appointed will contribute to lignin based smart materials development. More specifically , this includes lignin functionalization and structural characterization.
Experience in polymer chemistry and organic synthesis is required.
Eligibility and assessment criteria
Candidates must be in possession of a doctorate degree. We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with a strong background in polymer chemistry and organic chemistry willing to work in an interdisciplinary way. Publication record in international journals and conferences is required as well as excellent skills in spoken and written English. Evaluation will be based on the scientific quality of the candidate and experience.
The program starts in September 2013
Time limited: Scholarship 1 year
Deadline for application: 2013-06-10
Reference number: K-2013-0314
Application should be sent electronically to E-mail: registrator-kf@che.kth.se
The application, marked with reference number, should include the following:
- CV including list of publications, education and relevant academic/work experience
- Official record of transcripts and copy of degree certificate
- Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
Contact
Claudia Crestini, Professor,
E-mail: crestini@uniroma2.it
Martin Lawoko, Assistant Professor,
E-mail: lawoko@kth.se
Trade union representative
Yohannes Kiros, SACO
Phone: +46 8 790 8242
E-mail: Yohannes@kth.se
Niclas Carlsson, ST
Phone: +46 8 790 8416
E-mail: nc@kth.se
Per-Ove Öster, SEKO
Phone: +46 8 790 83 82
E-mail: perove@admin.kth.se
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