Postdoctoral position in Formulation Technology with focus on characterization of soft matter using AF4-SANS Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Position in Formulation Technology with Focus on Characterization of Soft Matter Using Af4-Sans

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The university has around 46,000 students and 8,500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

The department of process and life science engineering (ple) at Lund University is located at kemicentrum, one of the nordics' largest centers for education and research in the field of chemistry. Ple has around 150 employees, of which around 65 are phd students. The department offers a broad competence in areas such as chemical engineering, food technology, biotechnology and applied microbiology. The research and education at ple spans the entire subject of chemistry and includes both undergraduate and graduate education. The department of process engineering and applied biosciences (ple) at Lund University works actively to ensure a good working environment through several initiatives and routines. Ple encourages open communication and collaboration between employees, students and management to continuously improve and have regular meetings and dialogues to discuss workplace safety.

Subject Description

The project concerns the development of a novel asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (af4) coupling with small angle neutron scattering (sans) as a sample environment at the european spallation source (ess) in Lund. The project is financed by the Swedish Research Council (vr) and is in close collaboration with ess and the ISIS neutron and muon source in the UK. The purpose of af4-sans is to obtain size-resolved characterization, enabling more detailed characterization of polydisperse samples as well as being able to investigate specific subpopulations in a sample. The project is also supported by several international partners which have expressed interest in having af4-sans established at ess. The partners can also provide research questions for collaborative projects on af4-sans application.

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.

You will have responsibility for driving the development of af4-sans. This also includes applying for beamtime and designing relevant experiments within the project. The project will include travelling, in particular to ISIS neutron and muon source in the UK.

• Research within the subject area
• Participating and supporting other research projects, in particular those involving small angle neutron and x-ray scattering (sans/saxs)
• Participation in experiments at large facilities (e.g. max iv, ess, isis etc.)
• Processing and interpreting sans/saxs data both within the project and other projects in the research group.
• Teaching in the first, second or third cycles of studies
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students
• Collaboration with industry and wider society
• Administration related to the work duties listed above

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.

• You have documented experience of conducting research involving characterization of soft materials with sans and/or saxs.
• You have documented experience of sans and/or saxs advanced data processing and interpretation
• It is an additional qualification if you have experience of analytical separation methods such as size-exclusion chromatography (sec) or af4.
• It is an additional qualification if you have applied for and have been granted beamtime at neutron or synchrotron facilities.

• You have a PhD in an area that is relevant for the project, e.g. colloid science, soft matter, biophysics, pharmaceutical formulation etc.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• You have shown good collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to work independently

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.

• 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.

We Offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee.

Further Information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 3 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”).