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 15,000 first and second level students and more than 1,600 doctoral students. KTH has almost 4,300 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 description

As a PhD-student you will synthesize and characterize functional polymers based on renewable monomers. The project will be performed in close collaboration with other research groups in the training network and have the following main objectives.

Develop efficient and selective enzymatic routes to functional polymers with end-group functionality >95%.
Successful biosynthetic procedure for functional polymer modification.  At least three examples of new polymers fully benchmarked against existing materials under industrial conditions.

Establish synthetic protocols adapted to the use of new polymers in thin film applications.

Eligibility and Assessment Criteria

The potential candidate must have a Master’s degree with a focus on materials science, chemistry, polymer technology or a corresponding degree. Special qualifications in polymer chemistry / synthesis will be regarded as an advantage when comparing different applicants. The candidate should be highly motivated for doing scientific research and should have well developed analytical and problem solving skills.

Applicants for PhD student positions need to be within the first five years (or full-time equivalent) of their careers in research. Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the organization they are applying to for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment.

Employment

Form of employment: Time limited
Starting date: According to agreement

Application procedure

Application should be sent electronically to Inga Persson, inpe@kth.se

The application marked with reference no must include the following:

1. CV including education and relevant academic/work experience
2. Official record of transcripts and copy of degree certificate
3. Cover letter (maximum 1 page)

Deadline for application is 2012-03-09

Reference number: K-2012-0059

Contact

Mats Johansson, Professor
Phone: +46 8 790 92 87

matskg@kth.se

Trade Union representative

Lars Abrahamsson, SACO
Phone: +46 8 790 70 58
lars.abrahamsson@ee.kth.se