Postdoctoral Researcher (2 years) in Energy Technology with a focus on Thermal Process Chemistry

The Department of Applied Physics and Electronics currently has about 100 employees and conducts research in areas such as energy technology, laser spectroscopy, medical technology, and electronics and systems engineering. The Department is now seeking a postdoctoral researcher to perform research involving sampling and detailed characterization of lime and cement clinker products from electrified manufacturing processes. The position is full-time for two years, starting on November 1, 2025 or as agreed.

Project Description and Working Tasks
The project's aim is to contribute to sustainable production of cement clinker and quicklime. Specifically, new fuels for manufacturing processes will be studied, aiming for a concentrated process gas suitable for carbon capture and utilization or storage.

We are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher who will work on sampling and analysis of products from several pilot-scale facilities. The characterization includes all conventional methods for product quality, and detailed studies to understand the connection between the new process conditions and the resulting product quality.

The work involves planning and conducting precise sampling, sample preparation, and analysis of products from three different pilot-scale facilities for the production of cement clinker and burnt lime, where the fuel mix has been altered. The tasks include carefully planning the work so that fresh representative samples are immediately sent to the respective analysis, leading the analysis work, and taking responsibility for data quality. The work also includes compiling data and evaluating information, participating in project meetings, and leading the work to publish results.

The research environment at the Thermochemical Energy Conversion Laboratory and the Center for Sustainable Production of Cement and Quicklime at Umeå University hosts the research. The environment is interdisciplinary and characterized by collaboration at the intersection of energy technology, physics, and chemistry.

Qualifications
To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority will be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree earlier may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.

Additional requirements:

• The doctoral degree should be in the field of energy technology with a focus on thermal process chemistry, chemical engineering, or an equivalent area relevant to the project.
• Documented laboratory experience with high-temperature experiments and materials relevant to the project.
• Ability to independently plan and conduct research projects relevant to the position.
• Experience with research projects involving external partners, and good communication skills in English, both spoken and written. Good communication skills in Swedish are also required.

Highly meritorious:

• Documented experience in research on various aspects of lime burning.
• Good knowledge about different quality measures for lime products, and experience in research on underlying mechanisms.
• Experience from research using the following methods:
• Calcination of carbonate rock raw material on a lab scale.
• Characterization of ash interactions with products.
• Imaging and determination of chemical composition with SEM-EDX.
• Advanced image analysis for quantification of porosity.
• Multicomponent chemical equilibrium calculations of complex systems of relevance for the position.
• Deep understanding of chemical reaction paths for interactions between quicklime, ash and other impurities, including trace elements.
• Deep understanding of analysis data from XRF, XRD, BET, ICPMS, LA-ICPMS.

Additionally meritorious:

• Being well acquainted with safety aspects specific to the work (high temperatures and CaO-based materials).
• Having experience in presenting and publishing research results based on the above methods.
• Having extensive experience in collaborating with colleagues from both industry and academia.

Application

A complete application should include:

• Cover letter,
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a list of publications,
• Certified copy of the doctoral degree certificate or documentation confirming when the doctoral degree is expected to be obtained,
• Certified copies of other degree certificates, academic course certificates, and/or grades,
• Copy of the doctoral thesis and a maximum of 2 relevant articles,
• Other documents that the applicant wishes to refer to,
• References will be provided during the interview if applicable.

The application should be written in English or Swedish. Applications are submitted through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically should be in Word or PDF formats. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of this page. The application deadline is September 19, 2025. For further information, contact Professor Markus Broström at markus.brostrom@umu.se or Professor Britt Andersson, britt.andersson@umu.se.