Umeå University - with its 33,000 students and over 4,000 employees - is an organisation in constant change and development. Umeå University conducts groundbreaking research within several areas - several in which we are among the best in the world - within others regarded as the leaders in Sweden. We are one of Sweden’s largest providers of education and offer a broad and attractive range of courses and programmes. Our campus constitutes an inspiring environment for everyone that studies and works here. We wish to co-operate with companies and organisations throughout the Umeå region and all over the world.

PhD student position in Chemistry
Bio-based fuels and chemicals from lignocellulose

Department of Chemistry at Umeå University www.chemistry.umu.se conducts research in the areas of biological chemistry, environmental biogeochemistry and technical chemistry. The department has a strong focus on interdisciplinary work and has good access to modern analytical instrumentation and facilities.

The PhD student position is linked to prof. Leif J. Jönsson’s group and the research is a part of the activities in technical chemistry www.chemistry.umu.se/english/research/technical-chemistry. Research is carried out in laboratories in Umeå and in Örnsköldsvik and involves collaboration with biorefinery-oriented industry in the region. Read more about biorefinery activities in the region at www.processum.se and www.bioraffinaderi.se. The research, which involves both chemistry and biotechnology, is intended to contribute to the reduction of the dependence of society on fossil resources. Biocatalysts useful for the conversion of lignocellulosic materials are being investigated.

The PhD student project will be oriented towards the utilization of lignocellulosic feedstocks for the production of cellulosic ethanol and other bio-based chemicals, materials and fuels. Management of inhibitory by-products of hydrolysis is an important part of this research, which includes work on detoxification of lignocellulose hydrolysates, engineering of hyperresistant microbial biocatalysts, and analysis of the molecular basis of resistance to fermentation inhibitors.

The duration of a PhD education is 4 years (48 months). Applicants should have a university education in chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, or molecular biology, and be strongly motivated for research on lignocellulose chemistry and biotechnology for the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources. Good social skills, ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with others, and good skills in English language are valued. General requirements include: (i) 240 ECTS credit points (Swe. högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level), (ii) equivalent educational merits gained in Sweden or abroad, or (iii) 120 Swedish (old) credit points (Swe. poäng) (corresponding to 180 ECTS credit points) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1, 2007. In addition to these general requirements, 120 ECTS credit points need to be in chemistry or a comparable subject. The requirements mentioned need to be met at the time of acceptance to doctoral studies, not at the time when your application is submitted.

For further information, please contact prof. Leif J. Jönsson. E-mail leif.jonsson@chem.umu.se. Phone +46-(0)90-786 68 11.

Application procedure
The application should include: (i) a cover letter summarizing your qualifications and motives for applying, (ii) a curriculum vitae, (iii) transcripts of records, and (iv) the names and contacts of 1 to 3 references.

Union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65, SEKO, +46-(0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31.

Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled. Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.

The application period for this advert has expired.