Assistant Professor in Fundamental Characterization and Modelling of Biomass

Are your passionate about creating novel materials for a sustainable future? The Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC) seeks to recruit an Assistant Professor in Fundamental Characterization and Modelling of Biomass with a strong scientific track record and desire to develop their independent research career in a highly diverse, multidisciplinary and collaborative environment.

A leading scientist will be recruited with focus on cutting edge experimental or theoretical characterization methods or in-depth modelling of biomass and key phenomena around its processing and  valorization such as extractability of polymers or accessibility of enzymes. The  candidate is not expected to focus on both, theory and experiment, but should instead demonstrate a specific research track. The successful candidate will receive a generous start up package, which will provide the opportunity to build an independent research line on advanced methodologies for characterization of the plant cell wall and its components, of processing methods and of the obtained materials. The candidate is expected to build a research group with expertise in one of the following areas: molecular characterization of biomass and polymer interactions, correlative electron microscopy, scattering techniques (including synchrotron-based X-ray scattering techniques) or soft matter modelling such as molecular dynamics simulations.

The position as Assistant Professor in Fundamental Characterization and Modelling of Biomass
WWSC is a leading research center with focus on creating new sustainable materials using wood as the starting point. Our mission is to create knowledge, scientific excellence and develop critical competence for innovative value creation from trees. WWSC is a collaboration between Chalmers, KTH and Linköping University and is funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

The WWSC team at Chalmers consists of 10 professors from a wide range of both fundamental and applied disciplines ranging from biology, chemistry and physics to biotechnology, chemical engineering and materials science. WWSC strives to ensure and maintain a balance in terms of gender and diversity.

The Assistant Professor position is tenure-track. WWSC offers financial support for the position for four (4) years, a start-up grant for establishing the research lab, instrumentation as well as PhD student position/s and/or Postdoc position/s, which together amounts to a total of 19 MSEK. Further, WWSC, in collaboration with the host department, offers relocation support, mentoring and a leadership development package. The university and host department will assume the long-term responsibility of support as tenured faculty. At Chalmers you will have access to world-class research infrastructure including instrumentation for advanced materials characterization such as electron microscopy, X-ray scattering and NMR as well as wood, plastic and composite processing facilities.

Chalmers University of Technology and WWSC welcome a multidisciplinary approach to this position, in line with our organizational structure and tradition of collaboration across departments and external engagement with industry and society. We seek to recruit a talented scientist with a promising academic track record. The host department for this position will be decided in dialogue with the selected candidate and the departments that today participate in WWSC: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Industrial and Materials Science, Biology and Biological Engineering, Physics and Microtechnology and Nanoscience.

Major responsibilities
• Active engagement in research, developing a distinct line of research through independent research projects.
• Active contribution to education on all levels (normally comprises less than 20% of full-time duties).
• Supervision of masters and doctoral students.
• Seek external research funding.
• Take part in joint departmental and university-wide tasks.
• Take part in WWSC related tasks.
• Take part in international collaborations on a high scientific level.
• Collaboration with other research groups.
• Dissemination of research results and outreach to society.

Contract terms
The appointment as Assistant Professor is a four-year, entry-level, faculty position with tenure track, whereby you will acquire both pedagogical and research qualifications. An Assistant Professor is expected to improve the ability to formulate and solve scientific problems, to publish scientific articles, and to develop skills in teaching and supervision, by means of both practical training and independent study. The aim is to achieve the level of Associate Professor within four years and, if successful, you will be offered a permanent faculty position at Chalmers. One assessment will be conducted after two years, and an additional assessment for granting tenure will be conducted in conjunction with the period of appointment reaching its conclusion.

Qualifications
• PhD degree in a relevant field (biology, chemistry, physics, biotechnology, chemical engineering, materials science or similar) not older than 7 years prior to the application deadline*. Exceptions can be made for longer periods of documented leave-of-absence resulting from parental leave, sick leave or military service.
• Post-doctoral appointment or the equivalent. It is a merit if performed at a university, institute or organization other than where the candidate carried out the PhD studies.
• Conducted research resulting in publications in leading journals of your field of research and presentations at leading conferences.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in national and international collaborations.
• Demonstrated pedagogical competence (e.g. through the preparation of own teaching material, experience of teaching or course evaluations).
• Experience in applying for research funding. Demonstrated ability to attract research funding, and experience of supervision on Master and PhD level are considered to be strong merits.
• Teamwork, leadership, organizational and entrepreneurial skills are considered to be merits.

* The date shown in your doctoral degree certificate is the date we use, as this is the date you have met all requirements for the doctoral degree. 

For a full decription of the qualification requirements for an Assistant professor position at Chalmers, please consult our Appointment regulations, Chapter 6.4.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220675 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

Please follow the instructions for compiling an application for a research and teaching position at Chalmers.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
One page where you:
- Introduce yourself
- Describe your motivation for applying to this position and what attracts you about Chalmers
- Describe how you support your colleagues and bring about a good working environment
- Include names and full contact information of two references that we can contact

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
- Your CV (guidelines that include Chalmers expectations of the content of your CV are found here).
- Include a list of publications (also see the CV guidelines)

Research and teaching statement: (Please name the document as: Research statement, Family name, Ref. number)
One to three pages where you:
- Describe your previous research and teaching experience and focus
- State your future research and teaching goals and focus
- Describe how you complement our existing competences and how you could create synergies between our existing research groups.

Required documents:
- Certificate or Diploma verifying your doctoral degree
- Verification of prior official leave of absence, if relevant
- Documents verifying awards and recognitions stated in your CV, leadership or teaching activities, etc, and other documents relevant to support your application
- Copies of a maximum of five relevant publications that cannot be accessed via your ORCID, Scopus ID or ResearcherID, if relevant.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. 

Application deadline: 23 September, 2024

For questions, please contact:
Christian Müller
christian.muller@chalmers.se, +46 31 772 2790

Lisbeth Olsson
lisbeth.olsson@chalmers.se, +46 31 772 3805

Merima Hasani
merima.hasani@chalmers.se, +46 31 772 2996

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!