Postdoctoral Researcher in Polymer Technology

**Job Description** The Department of Polymer Technology is seeking a postdoctoral researcher interested in sustainable and circular polymer materials with low environmental impact. Learn more about the department's research at https://www.kth.se/fpt/polymer-technology. This position focuses on the characterization, biodegradation testing, and mechanical recycling of modified polylactic acid materials. These materials will be produced under the EIC Pathfinder Challenge project, “Biobased Thermal Resistant Food Packaging” (https://www.linkedin.com/company/born-biobased-thermal-reisistant-food-packaging/posts/?feedView=all). More information about the project can be found at https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101223095. The overarching and challenging goal of the project is to design materials that are biodegradable, compostable, recyclable, and suitable for food contact. **Key Responsibilities:** - Laboratory work involving spectroscopic and chromatographic characterization of modified PLA materials. - Testing the biodegradability of materials in selected environments. - Evaluating mechanical recyclability. - Assessing and reporting results in the form of scientific publications. **Qualifications** **Requirements:** - A completed PhD in a relevant field or a foreign degree assessed to be equivalent to a PhD. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled by the time the employment decision is made. - Relevant scientific expertise demonstrated through high-quality publications in international scientific journals. - Strong skills in experimental laboratory work. **Meritorious:** - No more than three years since the completion of the PhD or a foreign degree assessed to be equivalent to a PhD by the application deadline. - Experience in polymer characterization, particularly with spectroscopic techniques and biodegradation experiments. - Scientific expertise and the ability to communicate research and development work both in writing and orally. - Awareness of diversity and equality issues, with a particular focus on gender equality. As a person, you need to be pedagogical, able to work independently, and possess a strong ability to collaborate both internally within the research group and with external partners. We will place great emphasis on personal qualities. **Become a part of KTH** KTH shapes the future through education, research, and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in driving and participating in the transition to a sustainable society. Here, you will have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic workplace with good working conditions and benefits. Equality, diversity, and equal opportunities are quality issues and an integral part of KTH's values as a university and a government authority. https://www.kth.se/om/jobba-pa-kth **Union Representatives** Contact information can be found at https://www.kth.se/om/work-at-kth/fackrepresentanter-1.500898 **Application** You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you have the primary responsibility for ensuring that your application is complete when submitted. The application should include: - CV including relevant professional experience and knowledge. - A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts from your previous university studies. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in either of these languages. - A brief account of why you wish to conduct research, your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. Maximum 2 pages long. The application must be received by KTH no later than the application deadline at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time). **About the Employment** The employment is permanent, but for a maximum of two years. A https://www.arbetsgivarverket.se/globalassets/arbetsgivarverket/avtal-och-skrifter/avtal/avtal-om-tidsbegransad-anstallning-som-postdoktor/avtal-om-tidsbegransad-anstallning-som-postdoktor-2021-11-19.pdf is a fixed-term merit-based position primarily focused on research intended as a first career step after obtaining a doctorate. **Other** For https://www.kth.se/om/work-at-kth/fackrepresentanter-1.500898 in connection with recruitment. It may occur that an employment at KTH is classified in a security category. If this is the case for this particular position, a security assessment of the applicant will be conducted in accordance with the Security Protection Act (2018:585) after consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved after the security assessment. We kindly decline direct contact from staffing and recruitment agencies as well as sellers of job advertisements.