PhD position in Polymer Chemistry focusing on Wood-Derived Functional and Circular Materials
Back to available jobsThe Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC) is a major research initiative between three leading Swedish universities: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, and Linköping University. The center is based on the vision that the forest can provide sustainable bio-based alternatives to today’s fossil-based materials. WWSC is the largest research initiative in Sweden in this field and currently includes around 50 PhD students and 20 postdoctoral researchers.
Green chemistry, bio-based building blocks, and innovative materials design are essential for a sustainable society. In the Green Polymer Chemistry (GreenPolChem) group comprised of 10 researchers, located in the Pronova Chemistry Lab at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE), we develop new chemical strategies to transform wood and wood-derived molecules and polymers into functional, high-performance, and circular materials.
We are now looking for a PhD student to join our research team.
Your work assignments
The goal of this PhD project is to develop new materials concepts based on wood and wood-derived polymers and building blocks. The work will focus on how molecular-level chemical design can be translated into new material functions.
The research will explore how chemical modification, polymer design, and interfacial chemistry can transform wood and wood-derived polymers into functional materials with properties such as high mechanical performance, transparency, processability, or recyclability.
Questions that may be explored during your PhD include:
- How can the chemical functionality of wood and wood-derived substrates be translated into new polymer and materials concepts?
- How can macromolecular design enable functional materials from renewable polymers?
- How can dynamic or reversible chemistry enable circular materials based on wood and wood components?
During the project you will work with:
- Polymer synthesis and modification of wood and wood-derived polymers
- Macromolecular design and developing new materials concepts
- Structure–property relationships in bio-based materials
- Advanced characterization techniques (e.g. NMR, GPC/SEC, mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, mechanical testing)
Your PhD research will contribute to the development of next-generation bio-based materials from forest resources. Within the GreenPolChem group and WWSC, this work will be performed in a highly interdisciplinary research environment involving chemists, materials scientists, and engineers.
Your qualifications
You have graduated at the master’s level in chemistry, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, or another relevant field. Alternatively, you have completed courses in these fields with a minimum of 240 credits (corresponding to 4 years of study), of which at least 60 credits (1 year) must be in advanced courses.
For this position, most merit is given to completed courses, with excellent grades, in chemistry related subjects. In addition, excellent communication skills in written and spoken English is a requirement.
Merit is also given to experience of laboratory work and characterization (demonstrated through coursework, MSc project or published papers).
Furthermore, the suitable candidate should be highly self-motivated and show profound interest in fundamental research.
Your workplace
This PhD position is placed in the GreenPolChem-group (supervised by Associate Professor Peter Olsén). The GreenPolChem is located in the Pronova Chemistry Lab, at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE).
More information about research can be found here: Home page: Green Polymer Chemistry (GPC) - Linköping University and Google scholar: Peter Olsén - Google Scholar
More information about the Laboratory of Organic Electronics can be found here: Laboratory of Organic Electronics - Linköping University
The PhD position is funded by the Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC). The long-term vision of WWSC is to offer sustainable bio-based alternatives to current fossil-based materials. As a PhD member of WWSC, you will have access to a large research network across major universities in Sweden (KTH, Chalmers and Linköping University). In addition, you will become part of the WWSC academy, which is a graduate student school. In this academy, you will get an overview of the research field within renewable materials from wood and gain knowledge of topics not directly connected to your current research. During the academy, students will connect with each other and industry to nurture future collaborations. This will prepare them for becoming the scientists, inventors, and engineers for tomorrow´s Swedish forest value chain.
More information about WWSC can be found here: Home - WWSC
The employment
When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University
The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan.
Starting date during Fall 2026 or by agreement.
Salary and employment benefits
The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.
The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression. The starting salary is 35 300 SEK per month before tax. The salary then increases after completing 30 %, and 60% of the PhD degree program, respectively.
As an employee of Linköping University, you are entitled to the following benefits:
- Paid vacation (28 workdays per year, corresponding to 5 ½ weeks).
- Paid maternity/paternity leave (up to 390 days per child).
- Other benefits are also available. A full list can be found here:
More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.
Union representatives
Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.
Application procedure
Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than April 30, 2026.
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.
We look forward to receiving your application!
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