Postdoc in Viscoelasticity for Melt Processing of Highly Viscous Materials

Om jobbet

Join our research team focused on understanding and improving the thermoplasticitity of fibre-based biomaterials for the replacement of conventional thermoplastics. As a Postdoctoral researcher, you will carry out research in an interdisciplinary team with experts in materials science, polymer engineering, physics, and chemistry.

About us

This position will be placed in the Division for Computational Mechanics and Materials Engineering, which belongs to the department of Mechanical Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology

In the division of Computational Mechanics and Materials Engineering, we foster an inclusive, friendly, and helpful work environment to which we welcome you to contribute. Our activities focus on the materials science and engineering of new sustainable circular materials, for oil-based plastic replacements, as well as process adaptation, thus providing alternative solutions to the overall societal challenge of lowering the environmental impact of plastics.

About the research project

Recent awareness of the impact of fossil-based plastics and their littering is prompting questions about the use of traditional plastics in light of their expected lifespans. This offers an opportunity for increased use of biobased materials.

Within this framework, advances in enhancing the thermoplasticity of biosourced fibres, e.g. lignocellulosic fibres, have shown successful processing (both batch and continuous processes) after suitable modification and water-assisted plasticization. The advertised research project aims to develop new methods to study and understand the viscoelasticity of highly viscous fibre-based materials to improve their processability in conventional melt processing equipment. This understanding will enable the design of fibre-based materials as sustainable alternatives to traditional oil-based thermoplastics. Further, reactive extrusion strategies will be considered to overcome inherent drawbacks, e.g. the water sensitivity of the fibre-based materials. Different scenarios for the end-of-life of the developed fibre-based materials will be evaluated, including the assessment of their recyclability via melt processes and re-pulpability, as well as their biodegradation in composting. A relevant part of the project will be the overall material characterisation on the structural, physical and chemical features to enable a deeper understanding of structure-processing-properties relationships.
In this position you will do research in several projects and be part of the activities on Computational Mechanics and Materials Engineering at Chalmers. You will also propose new research projects in this area to Swedish and European research funding agencies. The research is carried out in an interdisciplinary team in Chalmers and in our Swedish partners in FibRe, as well as in collaboration with the Polytechnic Institute of Torino, the University of Pisa in Italy, and Tetra Pak.

Who we are looking for

The following requirements are mandatory:

• A doctoral degree in chemical engineering, materials or polymers engineering or related fields or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Experience in working with polymer melt processing and rheology
• Experience in using and analysing data from laboratory equipment such as, rheometers, tensile testers and other characterisation techniques such as AFM, SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, DSC and fluorescence spectroscopy.
• To be willing to spend time in other research groups in Sweden and/or in a foreign country.

Our research is performed by an interdisciplinary team of scientists. To succeed in this role, you must be able to interact and collaborate with people of different backgrounds. Furthermore, it is also expected that you have the ability to take your own initiatives and work independently as well as being a team-player. You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree in chemical engineering, materials or polymers engineering or related fields, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline.
• The project will comprise biomaterials modification, melt processing, rheology and advanced structural and rheological characterisation. Therefore, it will be considered a strong advantage with experience in these areas.

What you will do

Major responsibilities

• Your major responsibility as a Post doc is to pursue your own research tasks related to the projects, secure new projects, and to lead doctoral and master students in related activities.
• You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. Your research activities will contribute to improved knowledge in the scientific field, in particular by presenting your results in scientific journals and at international conferences.
• You are expected to contribute to the development of the Chalmers' polymer engineering and processing laboratory.
• Supervise master's and/or PhD students to some extent.
• Possibility to engage in teaching at undergraduate/master's level.

The position is meritorious for future roles in academia, industry, or the public sector.

Contract terms

The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.

The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

What we offer

• As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.

• Read more about Sweden's generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV

• A comprehensive CV, including a complete list of publications.
• Details of previous teaching and pedagogical experience.
• Two references that we can contact

Personal letter

• A brief introduction about yourself.
• A summary of your previous research fields and key research outcomes.
• An outline of your future goals and research focus.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Please note:The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.

We welcome your application no later than 8th May, 2026.

For questions please contact:

Giada Lo Re, Associate Professor
Email: giadal@chalmers.se
Tel: +46768504229

We look forward to your application!

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez - forward.

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