Exciting Summer Job at SCA R&D Centre

Joel is studying Master of Science in Biotechnology at Umeå University, while Ebba is studying Chemical Engineering at Uppsala University. It is their first summer at R&D, and they feel grateful for the new experiences.

“I would absolutely recommend others to apply. I have been working on projects where I feel that I contribute something. That I really help,” says Joel.

From Theory to Practice

Joel has spent most of his time in the lab performing various analyses. The focus has been on studying ash content and metal concentrations. Ebba has worked on a similar track.

“The most fun part has been working in the lab. You learn things you don’t think about in a school environment. What is important and what affects the results. There’s no answer at hand. You might have your guesses, but either something strange has happened, or it’s supposed to be strange,” says Ebba.

The time at R&D has given both Joel and Ebba a deeper understanding of how research works in practice, from hypothesis to analysis. With support from experienced colleagues, they have taken responsibility, tested ideas, and contributed to ongoing development work. For them, the summer job was not only a chance to apply new knowledge but also a confirmation that they are on the right path for their future careers.

SCA hires approximately 300 summer workers each year. During the summer 2025 four of them are at SCA R&D Centre during a five-week period. Read more about SCA R&D Centre.

Text and photo: Lovisa Kjellén