We are now looking to appoint a postdoc in Soft Electronics, placed at the Department of Science and Technology, Campus Norrköping

Research area

The Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE, https://www.liu.se/loe) at Linköping University is a world-leading research environment in organic, printed, bio-, and soft electronics. The present position is part of the Swedish Research Council (VR)-funded project “Biowaste-Based Stretchable Sensor Modules for Sustainable Plant Wearables”, which aims to develop sustainable, stretchable, and biodegradable plant-wearable sensors for precision agriculture.

The project addresses a critical challenge in modern agriculture: enabling continuous monitoring of plant health while minimizing environmental impact. By valorizing agricultural biowaste into functional electronic materials, the project seeks to develop biodegradable substrates, stretchable conductive inks, and multimodal sensor systems capable of monitoring plant growth, microclimate, and stress responses. The research combines materials science, printed electronics, stretchable electronics, bioelectronics, and sustainable manufacturing to create next-generation plant-wearable technologies.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research environment and collaborate with academic and industrial partners in Sweden and internationally.

Work assignments 

As a postdoc, you will principally carry out research. A certain amount of teaching may be part of your duties, up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.

Your work will include:

• Development of biodegradable and stretchable substrates based on nanocellulose and other biowaste-derived materials.
• Formulation and optimization of stretchable conductive inks based on biochar and conducting composites.
• Fabrication of electronic devices and sensor systems using solution processing and printing technologies.
• Characterization of structural, morphological, mechanical, electrical, electrochemical, optical, and electromechanical properties of materials and devices.
• Development and evaluation of multimodal plant-wearable sensors for monitoring strain, humidity, temperature, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Experimental testing of sensors on plant models under controlled environmental conditions.
• Analysis and interpretation of experimental data, publication of results in scientific journals, and presentation at international conferences.
• Collaboration with national and international research partners.

Qualifications

To be qualified to take employment as postdoc, you must have been awarded a doctoral degree or have a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree.  This degree must have been awarded at the latest by the point at which LiU makes its decision to employ you.

It is considered advantageous if your doctoral degree is no older than three years at application deadline for this job. If there are special reasons for having an older doctoral degree – such as taking statutory leave – then these may be taken into consideration.

Required qualifications

• A doctoral degree, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree, in Materials Science, (Applied) Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Documented experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Organic or printed electronics
• Stretchable or wearable electronics
• Functional materials and composites
• Sensors and sensor systems
• Sustainable materials and devices
• Hands-on experience with materials processing and characterization techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English (all research activities at LOE are conducted in English.).

Meritorious qualifications

• Experience with conducting polymers, nanocellulose, biochar, carbon-based materials, or biocomposites.
• Experience with printing technologies such as screen printing, syringe printing, or other solution-based fabrication methods.
• Experience with mechanical and electromechanical characterization of soft materials and devices.
• Experience with gas sensors, humidity sensors, plant sensors, bioelectronics, or precision agriculture technologies.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary and international research environments.

Personal qualities

We are looking for a highly motivated and curious researcher with strong problem-solving abilities and a genuine interest in sustainable electronic materials and devices. The successful candidate should be able to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment. Good communication skills, scientific creativity, and the ability to drive research projects forward are considered important qualities for the position.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and suitability.

The workplace

The postdoctoral fellow will work under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Nara Kim within the Soft Electronics group (led by Prof. Klas Tybrandt) at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics (LOE), Linköping University.

The Soft Electronics group develops composite materials, devices, and design concepts for soft and deformable electronic systems. Research areas include stretchable electronics, wearable technologies, sustainable energy harvesting and storage, bioelectronics, and neural interfaces. The group is highly interdisciplinary and works closely with national and international collaborators from academia and industry.

LOE is a world-leading research environment in organic, printed, and bioelectronics, comprising approximately 175 researchers and doctoral students across 13 research groups. Research at LOE spans from fundamental materials science to device development and commercialization, with activities ranging from organic semiconductors and forest-derived biomaterials to printed electronics, energy technologies, and bioelectronics. LOE maintains close collaborations with the research institute of Sweden (RISE) and provides access to state-of-the-art facilities for materials synthesis, characterization, device fabrication, and printed electronics.

The position is located at Campus Norrköping, Linköping University.

For more information, please visit:

• Soft Electronics group: https://liu.se/en/research/soft-electronics

• Laboratory of Organic Electronics: https://liu.se/en/research/laboratory-of-organic-electronics

• Linköping University https://liu.se/en

• Information about Norrköping: https://visit-norrkoping-se.translate.goog/bo-studera-och-etablera?_x_tr_sl=sv&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=sv

• A Beginner’s Guide to Swedish Academia (Young Academy of Sweden): https://sverigesungaakademi.se/en/publications/a-beginners-guide-to-swedish-academia/

The employment

This post is a temporary contract of two years with the possibility of extension up to a total maximum of three years. The position as a postdoc is full-time.

Starting date Autumn 2026 or by agreement.

Salary and employment benefits

At Linköping University, salaries are set individually and differentiated, in accordance with the applicable collective agreements (RALS/RALS-T) and the university’s salary-setting guidelines.

Postdoc salaries at LOE start around 42 500 SEK/month before tax. 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)
• Accrued pension. During your work time in Sweden, you accrue income pension, paid by the employer, which is payable also if you leave Sweden

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University are available at  https://liu.se/en/work-at-liu/employee-benefits

More information on the Swedish health-care system and social insurance benefits system can be found at https://www.forsakringskassan.se/english/moving-to-working-studying-or-newly-arrived-in-sweden/social-insurance-system

More information about employee benefits is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button. Your application must be received no later than August 17th, 2026. 
 
Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered. 

The following documents must be submitted:

• Cover letter (max. 2 pages) describing your background, research interests, and what makes you interested in and suitable for this position.
• CV including contact details for three reference persons.
• List of publications.
• Copy of passport, PhD diploma, and academic transcripts.