Postdoc in Chemical Engineering for Gas Hydrate Study

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position offering applicants an exciting opportunity to join a new research project to explore new

Thermodynamic Hydrate Promoters

for gas hydrate-based CO2 capture.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 2–year position from 01 Sep 2023 or as soon as possible.

Job description

While different technologies exist for carbon capture as the first link in CCS, to achieve the EU Green Deal’s ambitious path for decarbonization, novel, less energy-demand technologies must be developed, especially when small to medium size emission sources are considered. Carbon capture via Gas Hydrate is one of the promising new technology that could be used for all scales of CCS; however, it will open up an opportunity for smaller emitters to engage in the global efforts of reducing GHG emissions.  The position will focus on searching for better gas hydrate promoters to reduce the operating pressure of a gas hydrate-based carbon capture (GHBCC) technology as a means to reduce the energy demand of the process. In addition, the chemo-physical properties of new promoters should be suitable for industrial application. In this 2-year postdoc research, you will search for new promoters, screen potential candidates according to their chemo-physical properties, experimentally determine the Hydrate-liquid-vapor (HLV) phase boundaries of flue gas, lean and rich streams, measure the kinetics behaviors, optimize a GHBCC process, and study the techno-economics of the proposed process.

Your profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, or other relevant programs.

The work consists of both experimental study and techno-economic assessment. Therefore, the ideal candidate has the following competencies:

• Experience in carrying out HLV experiments.
• Experience in carrying out kinetics experiments for gas hydrate formation and dissociation.
• Experience in modeling, simulation and TEA.
• A documented ability to have scientific results of high quality published in peer-reviewed journals.
• Complex problem-solving skills and critical thinking
• High motivation
• Ability to conduct her/his work in a structured and systematic manner and with a high degree of independence.
• Fluency in English – written and oral

Who we are

The Institute of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE) has strong research sections in Environmental Engineering and Materials & Process Engineering. Close collaboration with our neighboring Departments (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Molecular Biology & Genetics, iNano, Biosciences, Food, Agroecology, and Chemistry) is a natural part of our culture. The successful applicant will be working with Chemical Engineering and will produce and disseminate knowledge and research results. Translation of results into solving relevant societal challenges is a highly prioritized part of our work.

The research will be conducted in the Materials & Process Engineering section.  The research focus of the section is almost entirely on developing new sustainable solutions, materials, and processes for the green transition. This includes research, development and demonstration of a range of technologies within like green bio-refining, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), catalysis, polymers and plastic engineering, recycling and electrochemical energy conversion technologies like batteries, electrolysis, and Power-to-X technologies. AU-BCE has strong competencies within all these technologies, and associated process engineering and covers a large part of the TRL ladder.

The position relates to a project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC), which is a mission‐oriented center based at Aarhus University. The center aims to develop novel science for carbon capture and conversions for storage or utilization to replace fossil carbon and fossil fuel‐intensive processes with sustainable, CO2‐based technologies.

What we offer

The successful candidate is offered:

• A chance to be part of the team developing a novel technology for carbon capture.
• A research climate inviting lively, open, and critical discussion within and across different research fields.
• A working environment with teamwork and close working relations
• A workplace characterized by professionalism, equality, and a healthy work-life balance.
• to make a high impact on solving climate change

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is the Biological and Chemical Engineering Department, Hangøvej 2, 8200 Aarhus N, and the area of employment is Aarhus University, with related departments. 

Contact information

For further information, please contact Dr. Behzad Partoon ([email protected], +45 22 52 16 59).

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 30th June 2023.

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the

Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here . Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here .

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here .

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.