Postdoctoral Fellow in Sustainability science of forest materials and circularity

Ref. No. SU FV-3955-22

at the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry . Closing date: 18 November 2022.

Stockholm University Center for Circular and Sustainable Systems (SUCCeSS) is a new centre at the Stockholm University, focusing on broad interdisciplinary research in collaboration with industries and policymakers and offering a platform for researchers to meet across subject boundaries to work together towards a common goal on circular and sustainable systems.

Within SUCCeSS, the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry (MMK), Department of Environmental Sciences and Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) are launching a collaborative project to investigate opportunities and obstacles of forest products for a circular economy. The postdoctoral research fellow position is shared among the three departments/centres but MMK will be the formal place of employment.

MMK is one of the largest departments at the Faculty of Science at Stockholm University. Within Materials Chemistry – one of the profile areas of Stockholm University –  we focus on developing and understanding advanced routes for synthesis, processing, production and characterization of materials toward a healthy, sustainable and environmentally friendly society. More information can be found at: www.mmk.su.se .

Department of Environmental Sciences contribute to a sustainable society through world-leading research in four major areas: chemical contaminants, atmospheric science, biogeochemistry and (eco)toxicology. In addition to our core responsibilities in teaching, research, and outreach, we strongly engage in supporting Swedish and European environment agencies with their decision-making and policy drafting. More information can be found at: www.aces.su.se .

SRC is an international research centre on resilience and sustainability science. Research at the SRC applies a social-ecological systems perspective and resilience thinking to generate knowledge and understanding to enable social-ecological transformations towards sustainable futures. Research is advanced through transdisciplinary collaboration that connects researchers with international research environments and environmental actors. More information can be found at: www.stockholmresilience.org .

Project description
The project is called FORest materials: opportunities and obstacles for a Circular Economy in Sweden (FORCES). Forest resources are to play a major role in the emerging circular bioeconomy. The main objective of the project is to qualitatively investigate opportunities and obstacles of a transition to a circular system for forest materials. This will be addressed from the techno-economical, social-ecological and regulatory perspectives.  Another dimension of the project is to assess the readiness of Swedish forest products for a circular economy and contribute to the development of open-access tools for the same. Finally, a case study assisted with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) will be presented.

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to share his working time among the three partners and actively enhance their collaboration, while contributing to activities within SUCCeSS.

Main responsibilities
The position involves research on qualitative investigation of opportunities and obstacles of a transition to a circular system for forest materials. The main methodologies used are expected to be document analysis and research on existing databases, i.e. no experimental laboratory work will be performed. From this interdisciplinary approach, the postdoctoral research fellow is expected to derive evidence-based advice on the present Swedish policies and regulations.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills in sustainability science, materials science and engineering under the spotlight of circular economy and chemical regulations such as the REACH regulation.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for two years with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2023-01-02 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from Mika Sipponen, Assistant Professor, telephone +46 8 16 12 58, mika.sipponen@mmk.su.se . For general questions about the Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, contact the Head of the Department, Professor Niklas Hedin, telephone: +46 8 16 24 17, niklas.hedin@mmk.su.se .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se , and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
  – why and how you wish to complete the project
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

URL to this page
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