"Our solutions deliver real results"

At RISE, around 3,000 problem-solvers are tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges. An enticing job at Processum brought Zozan Tunc, with a master’s in chemistry, all the way from Stockholm to Örnsköldsvik.

The beautiful natural surroundings of Örnsköldsvik are home to RISE Processum, a flexible research and innovation partner active within biorefineries. This is where Zozan Tunc works as a researcher within chemical process development. A job and a place that came to change her life. However, let us start at the beginning, when Zozan had just started her studies at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, her hometown.

“If I’m completely honest, it was only when I started studying that I understood just how broad the field of chemistry is, and that the course had such breadth. And soon I also realised that the role of the engineer, that of a problem solver, suited me perfectly. I’m extremely curious and constantly wanting to learn new things. Being able to take an extremely cool process from the lab and scale it up to an application that benefits all of society is what drives me,” Zozan explains.

I wanted to work with industry and research at the same time and contribute to these solutions. That’s why Processum was the right place.

Applied for a job 530 km away

Life as a new graduate proved to be tough. The pandemic had put a dampener on the labour market in Stockholm and there were few jobs to be had. After some time working as a development engineer at a startup, Zozan realised that she wanted to work at Processum. An opening was soon advertised and she applied, even though it was some 530 kilometres from home.

“Having worked in both a lab and industry, I’d gained an understanding of the challenges that arise when scaling up a process. There are many questions that need to be asked. For example, while in the lab something can perhaps be resolved simply by increasing the temperature a few degrees, in an industrial production environment that can place enormous demands on the equipment and multiply energy consumption – so, how do you solve that? I wanted to work with industry and research at the same time and contribute to these solutions. That’s why Processum was the right place,” says Zozan.

I love living in Örnsköldsvik and have discovered new sides to myself.

Close collaboration with industry

And this proved to be true. Increasingly more industries are turning to Processum with new challenges. Zozan appreciates the close collaboration with industry.

“Producing solutions to real problems is extremely educational and stimulating. It means that our solutions deliver real results. At the same time, I also learn a lot from my colleagues, both those on my own team and those working on other assignments and in other areas of expertise,” Zozan explains.

Zozan describes a workplace characterised by fun and varied projects and a wonderful team spirit among colleagues. And any longing back to the Swedish capital is marked only by its absence.

“I love living in Örnsköldsvik and have discovered new sides to myself. If a year ago someone had said that I’d enjoy making jams and juices from berries that I’d picked, or that I’d have a mushroom dryer at home, I would’ve cried with laughter. But now it’s true, and it only takes me seven minutes to drive to my dream job. I have everything I want now,” Zozan ends.