Postdoc in Advanced Modeling of Filtering and Reinjection of Dispersed Oil Droplets – DTU Chemical Engineering

A 1-year postdoctoral position in advanced modeling of filtration separation of oil droplets from water produced from a petroleum reservoir is available at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering DTU. You will be involved in solving an important practical and ecological problem: cleaning of the huge amounts of water produced from petroleum reservoirs. The task of modeling this process is challenging, and you will have to apply advanced skills in mathematics, as well as chemistry, to succeed. Your achievements in the project will be of high industrial and academic interest and will certainly attract the attention of the industrial research community, which is important for your future career building.

The project will be carried out in CERE – Center of Energy resources Engineering, in collaboration with DOTC – DTU Offshore Technology Center. The principal supervisor will be Associate Professor Alexander Shapiro (CERE), with co-supervision of Simon Ivar Andersen (DOTC). 

Responsibilities and qualifications
The project will focus on building a model for the interaction of the porous filters with the oil droplets contained in the filtered produced water. A model will be based on the analysis of such interactions on the level of a single pore, followed by the stochastic averaging by distributed ensembles of droplets and pores. Correspondingly, the project will contain the studies to colloid and surface chemistry, as well as stochastic and numerical modelling. Analysis of industrial data on produced water will also be carried out.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). Your background education should include colloid and surface chemistry, as well as advanced applied mathematics, including stochastic processes, programming and numerical modelling. You should be highly motivated, able to work independently, and should be confident in written and spoken English. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. 

Salary and terms of employment 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 1 year, starting from August 1, 2023. 

The assessment of the applicants will be made by the supervisors of the project, on the basis of the special examinations, including tests and interviews.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Alexander Shapiro ([email protected]). 

You can read more about the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU Chemical Engineering , and about the involved Centers at Center for Energy Resources Engineering (dtu.dk) , DTU Offshore .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 May 2023 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 
• A short (no more than 2 pages) description of, how you would address the proposed project

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering is one of the Leading departments in Europe in the corresponding areas. It has a well-established and experienced Ph.D. school and a program for Ph.D. education.

CERE is an interdisciplinary center at the DTU, comprising the researchers from Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, and Applied Mathematics departments. It is one of the European leaders in applied and computational thermodynamics and transport properties, with their applications in chemical, biochemical, and petroleum engineering.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.