Postdoctoral Appointment in Textile Technology

The Swedish School of Textiles at the Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business is a centre for the textile and fashion sector’s competence provision through our educational programmes, research activities, and close industry collaboration. We offer educational programmes at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels as well as doctoral education in the area of Textiles and Fashion. Our work builds upon multidisciplinary collaboration among artistic and technical design, textile technology, and management.

Welcome to the Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business!

We are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher in textile technology with a focus on pain management using textiles. The project explores so-called MH (machine-to-human) touch as a hypothesis for alleviating chronic pain. By stimulating a specific class of mechanically receptive neurons in the skin, known as C-LTMRs, through actuation, the perception of pain is reduced.

Textile actuation is a strong research area at the Swedish School of Textiles, with several ongoing and completed projects. Textile actuation involves producing fibres and textile materials capable of exerting a perceived mechanical force on their surroundings and/or changing their own shape. This is combined with the study of neurological effects. Such neurotextiles also investigate the fundamental haptic role of textiles in human life.

Responses will be measured using biomarkers as a complement to traditional self-assessment scales. The project includes collaboration with hospitals, patients, other universities, and companies.

Your employment includes the following:

• Conduct scientific studies regarding textile actuation and pain.
• Manufacture, using textile techniques and textile form factors, of actuating fibres, fabrics and knitted fabrics.
• Manufacturing by assembling textile test instruments.
• Textile characterisation and studies of actuation ability.
• To participate in the conduct of clinical studies and analyse the outcome through biomarkers, pain estimation scales, and user experiences
• Scientific reporting and presentation including writing of scientific articles

No departmental duties are planned for the position.

You will be part of the Polymeric E-textiles Research Group led by Associate Professor Nils-Krister Persson.

Polymeric E-textiles

To be eligible for the position, you must have a Degree of Doctor with a specialisation in textile technology or an area that the employer considers to be equivalent. In addition, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in materials science, biotechnology, human-machine interaction, or an  area that the employer considers to be equivalent is required. You need to have knowledge and experience of textile fibre forming and fibre dyeing, as well as knowledge and experience of industrial weaving, knitting, dyeing, and clothing. You should have basic knowledge of electronics and a good ability to collaborate with internal and external parties, take initiative, work in a structured way, and be able to prioritise among tasks. In addition, good communication skills in English, both spoken and written, are required.

Priority will be given to those who have obtained their degree no more than three years before the application deadline. Those who obtained their degree earlier may also be considered if there are special reasons. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical service, union assignments or other similar circumstances.

Merits:

• Experience of developing textile prototypes, products, or processes
• Knowledge of physiology and biology
• Experience of working with healthcare professionals and patients
• Good knowledge of statistical methods including non-parametric methods
• Knowledge of user experience (UX)

Employment according to Agreement on Fixed-Term Employment as a Postdoctoral Appointment, until further notice, for a period of two years. A prerequisite for the application of this agreement is that the employee has not previously been employed as a postdoc under this agreement for more than one year in the same or related subject area with the same employer.

Employment rate: 100%
Start date: 1 september 2026
Position location: Borås, Sweden
Registration number: PA2025/203

Please submit your complete application including registration number and attachments via our recruitment system no later than 15 February 2026. 

How to apply – create an account and attach the correct documents

The University of Borås welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, recognising that this enriches and strengthens our community. We strive for even gender distribution among employees and values diversity.

The University of Borås is a governmental authority, which means that you receive particular benefits, generous holiday leave, and a favourable occupational pension.

Benefits for employees

Work at UB

Contact those below if you would like to know more about your new job:

Anders Persson , recruiting manager

The union representative for Saco-S is Sunil Kumar, who can be reached via the university's switchboard via +46 (0)33-435 40 00. The union representative for OFR/S can be reached via stvidhb@hb.se .

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