Synergistic Effects of Densification and Fire Retardant Treatment on Wood Veneer Products
This PhD project focuses green chemistry fire retardant pretreatment of veneers before densification to optimize the densification process and increase the durability and fire performance. The aim is to design and apply comprehensive characterization methods to show stainable, durable, fire-resistant veneer-based products from underutilized wood species.
The project addresses the following research questions: To what extent can fire performance be improved through densification without the use of synthetic fire retardants? What are the environmental impacts and sustainability metrics of the proposed densification process? How do changes in microstructure and chemical composition correlate with performance improvements? What new sustainable fire-retardant chemical can be used for densified veneers?
The project will address the following key areas:
1. How does the specific Fire Retardant (FR) formulation affect pyrokinetic of the densified wood, shifting the degradation pathway from volatilization to charring – Investigation of FR mechanism, synergistic effect and leaching.
2. Densification and Structural Performance – investigation of wood microstructure, mechanical integrity and bond quality.
3. Application and feasibility – Demonstration of the performance of densified fireproof underutilized Wood Species (Expanding the potential of lesser-used wood species through a combination of densification and fire resistance).
The outcomes of this research are expected to valorize underutilized wood species through energy efficient densification process. By providing environmentally friendly densification process, and increasing the fire performance, this project aims to drive innovation in the field of veneer-based products and contribute to the sustainable materials industry.
Responsibilities and (foreseen) tasks:
- Compile an analytical framework for examining experimental approaches to analyze green fire-retardant pretreatment methods before and after wood densification.
- Study and test the low temperature densification process technologies.
- Test and characterize the structure, moisture resistance, dimensional stability, surface and properties.
- Study and characterize the fire performance of densified wood suitable for veneer-based products.
- Writing and publishing scientific papers for the project results in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
- Contribute to the organization of research and practitioner workshops where project findings are presented
Applicants should fulfil the following requirements:
- Master's degree in the field of wood technology, wood science, materials technology and science, wood chemistry, forestry.
- Familiar with methods, procedures and safety of wood chemistry, wood technology or composite material technology, materials technology and science which allows to work independently
- Excellent communication skills (written and spoken) in English
- A clear interest in the topic of the position
- Strong and demonstrable writing and analytical skills
- Capacity to work both as an independent researcher and as part of an international team
- Capacity and willingness to assists in organizational tasks relevant to the project
The candidate should submit a research plan for the topic, including the overall research and data collection strategy. The candidate can expand on the listed research questions and tasks, and propose theoretical lenses to be used
The following experience is beneficial:
- Previous experience in wood technology or materials technology and science would be highly appreciated.
- Previous experience in the most relevant characterization methods (surface roughness, contact angle measurement, tensile and flexural tests, fire testing) is also expected.
- Previous knowledge about durability and fire testing of the materials.
- Previous knowledge of material structural characterization.
- Working knowledge of data analysis and statistics.
- Data visualization and analysis in R
We offer:
- 4-year PhD position in one of the largest, most internationalized and leading engineering and technology research centers in Estonia.
- Opportunities for conference visits, research stays and networking with globally leading universities and research centers in the fields of wood and composite materials technology and wood chemistry.
Supervisors:
Main supervisor: Researcher Percy Festus Alao Department of Materials and Environmental Technology: Laboratory of Wood Technology
Co-Supervisor: Assistant Professor Heikko Kallakas: Department of Materials and Environmental Technology: Laboratory of Wood Technology
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is an international scientific community with approximately 9,000 students and 2,000 employees; it is one of the largest universities in Estonia, the leading EU country in digitalisation. The university's strengths are broad multidisciplinary study/research interests, a modern research environment, and strong collaboration with international educational and research institutions. TalTech is aiming to be an organisation leading the way to a sustainable digital future.
Department of Materials and Environmental Technology is an interdisciplinary research center of Tallinn University of Technology that focuses to lead the high-level, internationally recognized teaching, research and development in Estonia in the field of materials and environmental technology.
For information about the admission process, please visit the PhD Admission homepage
Applications can be submitted from 01.06.2026 to 30.06.2026
