PhD Position in Biotechnology 

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Project description

The combination of cellulose, not the least nanocelluloses, and electrically conducting materials such as PEDOT:PSS, carbon nanotubes, and 2D materials (e.g. graphene, and MXene) has attracted considerable interest over the last decade for applications in various devices, for example for energy storage, actuators, and sensors. The nanometre dimensions of the particles in combination with their excellent mechanical properties, allowing for a bottom‐up design of different devices, have been the major driving force for this renewed interest in cellulose materials, allowing for the preparation of conducting films and composites.

As an extension of using nanocellulose, recent work has shown that also papermaking-grade cellulose fibres can be modified and used as scaffolds onto which functional materials can self-assemble towards advanced composites. However, the mechanism behind the adsorption is not well understood and needs further investigation. 

The research challenges of this project are: 

- To understand interactions between cellulose and conducting materials.

- To tailor the structure and surface chemistry of cellulose surfaces to control the organization of electroactive materials to enhance properties such as electrical conductivity, charge storage capacity, or various sensor functionalities.

- To better describe the physics of composites between cellulose and electrically conducting materials, where a complex interaction between ions, electrons, and water affects the static and dynamic properties of these materials in a very complex fashion.

Supervision: Associate Professor Max Hamedi is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission.

Third-cycle subject: Fiber technology

What we offer

• This project will be carried out at the Department of fibre and polymer technology, in the renowned Digital Cellulose Center (DCC) which are both globally leading institutes in the fields of electronic wood-based materials. In addition, there will be close collaboration with industrial partners where the PhD student can come in close contact with end products, creating an overall rare and attractive environment.
• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to independently pursue his or her work, collaborate with others, have a professional approach andanalyse and work with complex issues. After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here