PhD Study Opportunity in Biobased Chemical Products
Department of Forest and Wood Science, Stellenbosch University.
Closing date: 15 April 2019.
New and innovative uses of biobased materials such as wood and other biomass materials allow for the development of products and markets that did not exist 20 to 30 years ago. These include such materials as nano-cellulose, bio-based plastics bottles, biobased skin care products or other value added products obtained through the application of the Biorefinery concept. Studies on enterprise and product feasibility from a technical, operational and financial point of view form the core of this focus area at the Department of Forest and Wood Science. Research is not only focused on new wood based products, but also on the value chain linking these products to markets and the raw material supply chain to optimize production and profitability.. Read more about the Department of Forest and Wood science at http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/agri/forestry/Pages/About-Us.aspx.
Project description
There is renewed interest in finding eco-friendly wood preservative chemicals as alternatives to those traditionally available on the market. This is mainly due to concerns over toxic effects of such preservatives as Chromated Copper Arsenic (CCA), which has been banned in the European Union, with gradual phasing out in the United States of America and Canada, with more countries likely to follow suite. While creosote, a coal based alternative is still widely in use, there are concerns over the environmental impact of the entire coal industry, which include issues such as land use, waste management, water and air pollution caused by the coal mining. The innovative focus of this doctoral study is the development of new organic-based wood preservative chemicals comprised of bio polymeric by-products from the wood pulp and paper as well as fruit processing industry.
Qualification requirements
A completed degree is required at MSc level in Wood Science, Wood Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Polymer Science and Chemical Engineering. Candidates who have other documented qualifications that are judged to provide equivalent knowledge are also considered.
Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will primarily be based on the perceived capacity to benefit from the doctoral training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity: the candidates' documented knowledge in a relevant field of research, written and oral proficiency in English, the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate, as well as creativity, initiative, and independence. The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidate's written motivation for seeking the position.
Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stellenbosch University are available at: http://www0.sun.ac.za/pgstudies/postgraduate-programmes.html.
Terms
The total period of study may not exceed the equivalent of three years of full-time study.
Application
Apply for the position at Stellenbosch University by sending an application as specified below.
Please include the following information with your application
- Your contact details and personal data
- Your highest degree
- Your English language skills
- Contact details for 2–3 references
and, in addition, please include the following documents
- Cover letter in which you explain why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement and what makes you suitable for the project in question
- CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
- Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
- Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
- Degree projects/theses (no more than 3 files).
Applications must be sent directly to ltyhoda@sun.ac.za. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
