Thesis Work: Flexibility in pulp & paper mills

ABB Inc.
United States, North Carolina, Cary
305 Gregson Drive (Show on map)
Oct 18, 2025
At ABB, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner. Here, progress is an expectation - for you, your team, and the world. As a global market leader, we'll give you what you need to make it happen. It won't always be easy, growing takes grit. But at ABB, you'll never run alone. Run what runs the world. This Position reports to: R&D Team Lead Pulp and paper mills are at a critical juncture, facing increasing volatility in energy markets, fluctuating raw material supply, and a structural shift in product demand away from graphic papers towards sustainable packaging and novel bioproducts. Simultaneously, ambitious decarbonization and sustainability targets require new operational paradigms. This thesis addresses these challenges by framing flexibility as a strategic objective for future competitiveness. By defining flexibility in measurable terms, identifying its key sources through modeling, and evaluating enhancement strategies, this work will provide a practical framework for transforming traditional mills into agile, profitable, and sustainable biorefineries. Details Period: January -June 2026, 5 months Number of credits: 30 ECTS Number of students for this thesis work: 1 Location: ABB Corporate Research (Vasteras) Your role and responsibilities This thesis will investigate what operational flexibility means for pulp and paper mills, identify sources of flexibility, and propose scientifically grounded strategies to increase flexibility without compromising quality, safety, or sustainability. Goals: Define & quantify operational flexibility in P&P mills Identify and categorize sources of flexibility Assess operational levers impacting flexibility Techno-economic analysis of flexibility-enhancing strategies, evaluating their ROI and risk profile Qualifications for the role Master's student in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a related field A strong motivation to solve real-world industrial problems using state-of-the-art methods Good programming knowledge in Python or MATLAB for process modeling and data analysis Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills for collaborating with industry experts More about us Recruiting Manager Linus Thrybom, +46730 80 9906, will answer your questions regarding hiring. Supervisor Moksadur Rahman (moksadur.rahman@se.abb.com) will answer questions about the thesis topic and expectations. Positions are filled continuously. Please apply with your CV, academic transcripts, and a cover letter in English. We look forward to receiving your application! Join us. Be part of the team where progress happens, industries transform, and your work shapes the world. Run What Runs the World. A Future Opportunity Please note that this position is part of our talent pipeline and not an active job opening at this time. By applying, you express your interest in future career opportunities with ABB. We value people from different backgrounds. Could this be your story? Apply today or visit www.abb.com to learn more about us and see the impact of our work across the globe.