Postdoctoral Position in Chemical Engineering

Employer: Lund University, Department of Process and Life Science Engineering (PLE)
Location: Lund, Skåne län, Sweden
Reference Number: PA2025/3095
Employment Type: Full-time, Temporary
Start Date: 1 March 2026 or as agreed
Application Deadline: 17 December 2025

About Lund University

Founded in 1666, Lund University is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities, with around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 staff across Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. The university values diversity and promotes gender equality as a strength and asset.

Department of Process and Life Science Engineering (PLE):

• Located at Kemicentrum, one of the Nordics’ largest centers for chemistry education and research.

• Around 150 employees, including ~65 PhD students.

• Research areas include chemical engineering, food technology, biotechnology, technical microbiology, dairy processing, plant-based protein processing, membrane technology, biomass conversion, and biopharmaceutical purification.

Collaborations:
The doctoral position is part of the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks 2024 UP2MEM consortium, which includes 11 universities, 1 national research center, and 13 companies, focused on advanced membrane technologies for water and food industries and circular economy solutions.

Project Overview

The doctoral project aims to develop and optimize membrane-filtration strategies for dairy process streams, focusing on whey protein valorization. Key objectives include:

• Identifying optimal transitions between membrane filtration, evaporation, and spray drying to minimize energy consumption while maintaining product quality.

• Extending concentration ranges achievable via membrane processes, reducing reliance on thermal operations.

• Designing advanced membrane modules using CFD simulations and 3D printing to enhance mass transfer, reduce fouling, and improve energy efficiency.

• Developing next-generation membrane systems tailored to the dairy industry.

Secondments:

• 18 months total at Alfa Laval (Denmark), NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal), and Arla Food Ingredients (Denmark).

• Participation in week-long doctoral courses across EU countries (approx. 2 per year).

Work Duties

• Literature review and scientific reporting/publication.

• Develop and optimize membrane-filtration processes for whey protein recovery.

• Optimize integration of filtration, evaporation, and spray drying.

• Design advanced membrane modules (CFD, 3D printing).

• Participate in teaching and departmental activities (up to 20% of work time).

Qualifications

General Admission Requirements:

• Second-cycle qualification (Master’s degree) or equivalent knowledge (~240 ECTS, with 60 at second-cycle level).

Specific Requirements for Chemical Engineering (TEKETF00):

• Specialized project of at least 30 second-cycle credits in the subject.

• Potential to complete the doctoral programme.

Additional Requirements:

• Must not have resided in Sweden for >12 months in the past 36 months before recruitment.

• Must not already hold a doctoral degree.

• Strong motivation, creativity, structured and persistent work ethic.

• Ability to work independently and in international teams.

• Excellent written and oral communication in English.

Other Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of dairy technology, membrane processes, and dairy processing.

• Experience with chemical/food analyses.

• Programming and modelling in Python or MATLAB, CFD.

• 3D printing experience.

• Laboratory/pilot-scale equipment assembly.

• Prior publications in scientific journals.

Employment Terms

• Full-time, fixed-term employment for 4 years (doctoral studies).

• Teaching and departmental duties may extend employment proportionally.

• Benefits include generous annual leave and advantageous occupational pension.

• Further details: Lund University Staffpages

Application Instructions

Applications should be written in English and include:

1. CV and cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining interest in the doctoral programme and alignment with the project.

2. Copies of study certificates/degrees showing compliance with general and specific admission requirements.

3. Additional documents (grade transcripts, references, letters of recommendation – max 2).

4. Any previous scientific publications (specifying personal contributions).

5. Copy of passport.

Interviews: Will be held online.

Contact Information

• Professor Frank Lipnizki: +46 46 222 82 92, frank.lipnizki@chemeng.lth.se

• HR Admin Mia Hedin: mia.hedin@ple.lth.se

Union Representatives:

• OFR/ST: 046-2229362, st@st.lu.se

• SACO: kansli@saco-s.lu.se

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com