Researcher at the Department of Process and Life Science Engineering Full-time

Researcher at the Department of Process and Life Science Engineering

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.

Description of the Workplace

The Biotech Heights innovation platform was founded as a collaboration between Tetra Pak and Lund University with the aim of bringing together stakeholders to develop industrial biotechnology—particularly in relation to the food and materials of the future. Biotech Heights is based at the Kemicentrum in Lund and is closely linked to the Department of Process and Life Science Engineering and the infrastructure available at the Kemicentrum (LUPPP).

The Biotech Heights team currently consists of individuals employed by Lund University, Tetra Pak, or Future by Lund. A total of seven people work on the platform, two of whom are full-time. The innovation platform is under development, and all employees are expected to contribute to its progress.

The physical location is the Kemicentrum.

We Offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means you'll receive special benefits, generous vacation time, and a favorable occupational pension. Read more on the university's website about Working with Us.

Job Responsibilities

You will play a key role in building Biotech Heights and be part of a team working at the intersection of research, innovation, and industry. You will have special responsibility for building the platform's expertise in regulatory matters—both to provide qualified support to member companies and to ensure that Biotech Heights' collective knowledge helps increase understanding among other stakeholders.

You will be responsible for initiating and developing innovation projects aimed at actively creating concrete applications and examples, based on both industrial needs and research results. You will also be actively involved in establishing and developing networks with relevant researchers and experts. These networks should include researchers and experts from the Department of Process and Life Engineering (PLE), as well as from other faculties at Lund University, other universities, and member companies. By facilitating these networks, Biotech Heights will serve as a bridge between research and industry. You will also play an active role in the growth agenda for biotechnology and food that Biotech Heights is driving as a separate innovation project.

The job responsibilities include the following:

• Be part of building Biotech Heights.
• Developing and overseeing the platform's regulatory expertise and support for member companies.
• Initiating and developing innovation projects.
• Building and facilitating networks of researchers from academia and industry.
• Actively contributing to the platform's growth agenda in biotechnology and food.
• Administrative tasks related to the duties listed above

Qualifications

Requirements for the position are:

• A Ph.D. in Food Technology.
• Excellent written and spoken proficiency in Swedish and English.
• Excellent practical skills, including both laboratory work and food product development.
• Independence, teamwork, and flexibility.
• Excellent ability to quickly acquire new knowledge in related fields and to translate this knowledge into relevant educational materials.

The following are considered a plus for the position:

• Experience in entrepreneurship and business development.
• Experience with established companies in the food industry.
• Experience in project management of interdisciplinary projects from concept to industrialization.
• Experience with national and European research projects.

Other

The position as a researcher is fixed-term for the period from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, and is a full-time position. Researchers are covered by the “local collective agreement on annual working hours for researchers and assistant researchers.” The planning of annual working hours takes place in dialogue between the supervisor and the employee.

How to Apply

The application must include a CV and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the position aligns with your qualifications. Your application must include a certificate of your doctoral degree and should also include any other supporting documents you wish to submit (copies of transcripts, contact information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

We look forward to receiving your application!