The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.

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Description of the workplace

The Membrane Group in Department of Chemical Engineering at Lund University has many years of experience in membrane processes for biorefineries and is now looking for a new co-worker to extend this work into membrane bioreactors for biofuel and biochemical production integrating downstream process.

The Postdoctoral position will include the integration and optimization of a membrane processes in combination with fermentation. The aim is to obtain an energy saving concept for the production of biobutanol as a reference by biofuels and biochemical in general.

We offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a new workplace.
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Subject description

Biobutanol can be produced from hydrolysates of lignocellulosic biomass using the organism Clostridium which has the natural ability to utilize pentoses from hardwood and agricultural residues. This reduces the need for genetically modified organisms which can be a concern to the general public. By producing butanol from the wheat straw available in Skåne, it would be possible to produce 0.5 TWh/y of liquid biofuels. The aim of this project is to reduce the biobutanol production cost by integrating membranes processes in the production. This project will focus on the heart of the process, the fermentor. Using a membrane bioreactor concept – a standard concept for the wastewater treatment industry – cell mass and fermentation conditions can be optimized beyond the current batch processes by moving towards a continuous concept with higher yield. Further, energy-efficient butanol pre-concentration by water-exchange with forward osmosis will be studied.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

Review of available scientific literature on the research topic and presentation in a report/article. Design, construction and modelling of a lab/pilot scale experimental set-up integrating in the membrane process with the fermenter. Operation of the fermenter.  Integration and optimization of the forward osmosis with the membrane bioreactor in hybrid process. Techno-economical evaluation of the overall process with focus on energy consumption. Communication of obtained results in the form of publication of scientific articles. Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students. Actively seeking external research funding Collaboration with industry and wider society Administration related to the work duties listed above Communication of obtained results in the form of publication of scientific articles. Participation in project meetings and contributing to status reports.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• The required knowledge and experience by having a PhD in membrane technology and/or downstream processing including fermentation.
• The candidate should work independently and should have the ability to collaborate with other researchers in the group and beyond.

Assessment criteria

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Other qualifications:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Experience of downstream processing, such as membrane processes. Experience with fermentation processes. Knowledge of modelling and programing skills in Python C/C++, MATLAB and/or LabView. Experience in building/assembling lab/pilot-scale equipment. Basic knowledge in electronics. 3D CAD (such as Autodesk Fusion 360, OpenSCAD or similar).

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”).

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

Welcome with your application!

LTH forms the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, with approximately 9 000 students. The research carried out at LTH is of a high international standard and we are continuously developing our teaching methods and adapting our courses to current needs.

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