Postdoctoral position in Forest Biomaterials with specialization in Surface Properties

Welcome to Linnaeus University! Here you’ll meet 2 200 staff members and 40 000 students, all united in following the vision to set knowledge in motion for a sustainable societal development. With us, research and education are conducted with an eye towards the future. Our proximity to the business world, both locally and globally, gives us a wide reach and the ability to create change that makes an impact. All that’s needed is a place where ideas have the space to meet and grow. That’s what we’ve created – and you are invited.

Change starts here!

The Faculty of Technology has a broad range of activities spanning nine different departments through which Linnaeus University conducts education and research. The educational programs in technology range from short courses lasting a few weeks or months to five-year engineering programs. The research addresses society’s needs in several broad areas – both in the short and long term – with basic and applied research in collaboration with stakeholders.

The Department of Forestry and Wood Technology conducts thematic activities from seedlings to finished products from the forest. The focus of the activities is the forest as a resource with its climate benefits throughout the life cycle. Research is ongoing in many disciplines such as forest management, forest economics, forest ecology, digitalization of forestry, forest damage, forest soil science, and wood science. The department offers courses and educational programs in forestry and wood technology at both undergraduate and advanced levels.

Subject area for the position: Forest Materials
Location until further notice: Växjö
Hours and term: Temporary employment 100% for 2 years
Starting date: As soon as possible.

Job description
The adhesive bonding of solid wood, wood particles and wood fibres is necessary to produce products that can be used in the furniture and building industries. Besides the characteristics of wood and adhesives, the quality of bonding and the properties of the final products are highly influenced by the surface properties of raw materials. This postdoctoral project aims to provide knowledge on the surface quality of raw materials and its relationship with wettability of bioadhesives to better predict and optimise the production process and product properties, and thus ultimately expects to enhance the efficiency of the production process in different wood and fibre-based products. The project will be carried out as a part of the newly established BioGlue-Centre “Competence Centre for Bio-based Adhesives”, which is a Vinnova Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Industry and Digital Transformation with a close collaboration with top scientists at Linnaeus University, SLU, KTH and 12 industrial partners along the value chain in furniture, packaging and construction sectors that share the same research questions around adhesives and adhesive bonding.

Therefore, besides the scientific tasks, the position also includes responsibility for research communication by participating in national and international meetings, and support service for analytical equipment. Publishing popular science and scientific articles is a central part of the work.

The postdoctoral fellow is expected to actively participate in the department’s environment and networking both internally and externally, as well as develop new project ideas and seek project funding. A certain amount of teaching and supervision at basic, advanced and/or postgraduate levels may be included in the duties.

In addition to the mentor’s group, the postdoc will collaborate with national and international experts in the field.

Qualifications
Anyone who has a doctorate in surface physics, chemistry, biomaterials, or in a relevant subject, or has a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctorate.

Since employment as a postdoctoral fellow is career-developing, we are primarily looking for candidates who have completed their doctorate no more than three years before the application deadline.

An applicant must not previously have been employed as a postdoc for more than a year within the same or a related subject area at Linnaeus University.

Eligibility for this position also requires demonstrated scientific skill in the area previously mentioned. The position also requires excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, as well as a good ability to work independently and in a group.

Assessment criteria
Theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and methodological competence in surface characterization, surface degradation, ageing performance are meritorious. Good scientific publication rate and experience in acquiring and applying for external research funding are desirable. A postdoc fellow is part of a research team; consequently, flexibility and the ability to cooperate and collaborate are given great importance. Documented experience in research on surface properties. In the overall assessment of the scientific skill, special emphasis is placed on the applicant’s potential for a successful career as a teacher and researcher.

When the university employs new teachers, the choice should fall on those applicants who, based on a qualitative, holistic assessment of competence and skills, are considered most likely to successfully perform and develop relevant tasks and contribute to the successful development of the organization.

Contact
Head of the department: Erika Olofsson, 0470-70 89 99, erika.olofsson@lnu.se
Main Mentor: Associate Professor Reza Hosseinpourpia, 0470-70 80 74, reza.hosseinpourpia@lnu.se
HR partner: Jesper Pettersson, jesper.pettersson@lnu.se

Do you want to know more about the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology? Read more at Lnu.se

Welcome with your application according to instructions, last day to apply is 25 August 2025.

Linnaeus University has the ambition to utilize the qualities that an even gender distribution and diversity brings to the organization.

Please apply by clicking on the “Apply” button at the bottom of the ad. Your application should be designed according to the Template for application which can be found in the Guide to Appointment procedures under important documents below the ad. The credentials you invoke must be verified with certification and they must be attached digitally in your application. Other documents, including various types of scientific works, must be submitted digitally along with the application. The application and other documents to be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 23.59 (Local time in Sweden) on the closing day.