The Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science group, responsible for scientific research at the National Museum of Denmark, has a vacancy for a Postdoc. The position involves practical and experimental research activities and communication of the results within the interdisciplinary project Healthy Plastics from Waste.
Healthy Plastics from Waste research project The project
Healthy Plastics from Waste aims to develop and produce a new type of bioplastic, where fossil fuels are replaced with paper-based waste such as paper cups, newspapers, cigarette butts and fibers from cotton clothing. The plastic will be converted into long-lasting products that benefit our health, e.g. water filters and toothbrush handles. The inspiration for the development of a new sustainable plastic comes from the 1920s, when the very first recipes for bio-based plastic were developed. Approximately 3,000 objects from this period are found in the National Museum's collections and will be used as source materials. In Healthy Plastics from Waste, the National Museum's researchers collaborate with external partners in sustainability, design and production with the aim of developing and optimizing the process from waste to prototypes of essential and sustainable products.
Healthy Plastic from Waste is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and led by the National Museum's research professor Yvonne Shashoua. The project began on 1 September 2024 and the Postdoc’s research will build on the first year’s results.
Job description The Postdoc will be required to:
- develop and carry out processes that chemically transform purified cellulose from waste into cellulosic plastics
- optimize the processes to increase the plastics’ sustainability by, for example replacing fossil additives and solvents with green equivalents
- determine the chemical and physical properties and stability of the resulting plastics using instrumental techniques
- explore potential techniques to convert cellulosic plastics into prototype products
- communicate their research at interdisciplinary project meetings, conferences and to non-experts
Qualifications and skills The candidate must have practical and theoretical experience in polymer chemistry, polymer science, organic chemical analysis or similar and must have a PhD related to these subject areas. The candidate should have significant and documented experience with FTIR spectroscopy of polymeric materials including interpretation. Experience with thermal analysis, optical microscopy, plastic shaping techniques and approaches used to evaluate environmental impact would be advantageous. The candidate should have a structured and analytical working approach. The candidate must have good communication skills in English, be willing to share knowledge and expertise with other members of the research group and contribute to the writing of academic papers.
Terms of salary and employment The working hours are 37 hours a week. Salary, pension, and terms of employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement for academics employed by the Danish state and Circular concerning the job structure for academic staff with research responsibilities in archives, libraries, museums etc. under the Danish Ministry of Culture.
The appointment is for 2 years, starting 1 December 2025 or shortly thereafter.
The place of work is at the Danish National Museum’s Section for Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science in Brede, Kgs. Lyngby, north of Copenhagen.
Application procedure The National Museum works actively to promote equality among employees and encourages all qualified, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.
The application is to be submitted in English and must include the following:
- Letter with motivation for the application (max. one page)
- Curriculum vitae, incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- List of publications (mark the publications sent in for evaluation)
- Copies of up to 3 publications to be considered in the assessment. Full copies must be sent by post or uploaded as pdf via the electronic recruitment system. Links to publications are not accepted
- Copies of university exams, Master of Science and PhD certificates
- Transcript of university exams into English, if not written in English, Danish, Norwegian or Swedish
If a publication to be considered in the evaluation has more than one author, or is the result of a collective effort, it must be clearly specified which part the applicant is responsible for. In the absence of a specification, the Assessment Committee will disregard that publication(s).
Applications must be sent via the electronic recruitment system on our website
www.natmus.dk/job and uploaded by 10 October 2025.
The National Museum will set up an (internal) expert Assessment Committee to evaluate the applications. Qualified applicants will be invited for interviews in a panel set up by the National Museum.
For further information regarding the position, please contact Research Professor Yvonne Shashoua, phone +45 41206481, email: yvonne.shashoua@natmus.dk or Head of Research Kristoffer Buck Pedersen phone +45 41206317, email: kristoffer.buck.pedersen@natmus.dk
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