Postdoctoral researcher in Chemical Engineering, specialised in experimental research on pulp, paper, and cellulose-based material

Description

Do you want to be a part of a research environment where a variety of perspectives and skills contribute to novel solutions that promote a sustainable society? Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences comprises a staff of approximately 60 people working in fields such as construction engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental and energy systems. The department is part of the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology and offers an open environment focused on cooperation, where research and education are developed through joint efforts.

The department is now welcoming applications for four postdoctoral appointments, which are part of the eight-year project Infinity Fiber. The four postdoctoral researchers will be working closely together with each other as well as with senior researchers and fourteen industry partners, in a multidisciplinary and practice-focused research environment. Close collaboration between academia and industry enables research focused on practical utility.

Infinity Fiber takes on challenges related to the entire forest-based value chain, with a particular emphasis on fibre circularity, innovative separation processes, carbon circularity and sustainability assessment. This postdoc position is focused on experimental basic research on forest-based cellulose fibres and their various industrial applications. Duties include experimental studies of the structure, chemistry and functional properties of cellulose fibres, as well as how these features affect processes and material properties.

You can find more information about Infinity Fiber here.

Due to the postdoctoral appointment’s nature as a career-development position for junior researchers, we are looking for candidates who have completed their PhD no more than three years before the application deadline.

Duties

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will conduct research on pulp and paper technologies, specialising in the structure, chemistry and functional properties of cellulose fibres. A particular emphasis is placed on the connection between the properties of the fibres and processes for dewatering and drying, and how these processes affect the structure and properties of various industrial applications. The research also includes hornification and interaction between water and cellulose, as well as the development of new cellulose-based materials from forest-based raw material.

You will perform experiments to examine how chemical, structural and physical properties in cellulose and cellulose fibres affect their behaviour during processing and materials production. Duties also include fibre characterisation, pulp chemistry, dewatering and drying, as well as analysing changes in the properties and material structure in fibres. The research results will contribute to an increased understanding of the connection between the structure, water-binding capacity, and process behaviour of fibres.

The research may comprise studies of hornification and the changes that take place in cellulose and cellulose fibres when subjected to repeated wetting and drying cycles. You will combine chemical, physical, and process engineering analyses in order to examine how water interacts with cellulose-based materials, and how such interactions affect dewatering, drying, and the final properties of a material.

You will also be involved in the development and characterisation of new cellulose-based materials from forest-based raw materials. This means examining the connections between the properties of the raw material, process conditions, and the function of the material, as well as how the properties of the material can be properly utilised in industrial applications.

You will work in close collaboration with researchers within the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental and energy systems, as well as with industry partners. These collaborative efforts provide opportunities for mutual exchange and ensure that the knowledge and expertise available at the university is of benefit to society.

In order to contribute to a positive work environment and the development of the department’s activities, we expect you to be present and that you participate in the workplace community and day-to-day operations.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for the postdoctoral appointment, applicants are required to hold a PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science, or have equivalent qualifications from abroad, with a specialisation in pulp and paper technology, or other related subject of relevance for the position. The PhD must be completed before a decision to appoint an applicant is made. The candidate must have completed the degree no more than three years before the application deadline.

Qualifications obtained earlier may be considered if there are special grounds, such as sick leave, parental leave, clinical service, service as a union representative, military service or similar, or service/assignment of relevance to the appointment.

You must be experienced in experimental methods, in particular processing techniques for cellulose-based materials. Duties also include tasks such as computational modelling and simulation. If you are not experienced in this area, you will acquire the skills needed within the scope of the employment.

The work duties require you to conduct research independently and responsibly, as well as to collaborate closely in interdisciplinary groups. Hence, you must be able to plan and carry out research on your own, as well as contribute to joint research efforts.

You have strong teamwork skills. In addition, you are also good at following instructions and you are open to feedback and the perspectives of others. You have sound judgment and collaborate well with colleagues, private companies and other collaboration partners. You take responsibility for your duties, you communicate clearly and constructively, and you contribute to the development of your colleagues. You are structured, focused on common goals and can prioritise and deliver quality work within agreed-upon timeframes.

Due to the international nature of the work environment, a good command of spoken and written English is required.

In addition, all employees at Karlstad University are expected to demonstrate strong collaborative skills and to treat colleagues and students with respect. They are also expected to take responsibility for both the organisation and their own work, and to contribute to a positive work environment.

Assessment criteria

Special weight is given to experience in experimental methods and computational modelling with an emphasis on pulp and paper technology.

Special weight is also given to published research, both in terms of quantity and relevance for the research field, as well as to completed master’s and doctoral courses on pulp and paper technology, forest-based materials, fibres, and polymer technology.

Considerable weight is given to experience of industry collaboration.

Weight is given to research visits or work at a university other than the one that issued the applicant's doctoral degree, as well as international research visits.

Proficiency in Swedish, both in speech and writing, is also desirable.

For eligibility requirements and bases for assessment in general, please refer to Karlstad University’s Appointments Procedure.

Terms

This is a full-time, fixed-term postdoctoral appointment for 2 years with the possibility of an extension, in accordance with the collective agreement on fixed-term employment for postdoctoral appointments. Start date at the earliest convenience as agreed by both parties.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi. Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application must be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

• CV
• Cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications in relation to the duties of the position
• An account of your administrative experience
• A list of publications (in multi-authored publications, the role of the applicant must be specified)
• An account of language skills
• Copy of PhD degree certificate or documented equivalent academic expertise, or equivalent professional qualifications deemed relevant to the nature of the position and the duties included therein
• No more than 10 scientific publications and no more than 5 materials intended to convey knowledge, such as textbooks, computer programs for teaching, or popular science articles
• Two references, at least one of which is a current or former supervisor

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content. Documents that cannot be submitted electronically, such as books or publications, should be sent in triplicate to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
HR-administratör
651 88 Karlstad Sweden

Application deadline: 2026-11-24

State the reference number: REK2026/237

We look forward to your application!

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