Two Postdoc positions in biomass utilization with carbon capture and storage

The Department of Space, Earth and Environment is recruiting two postdocs to carry out research with the aim of developing efficient technology for combustion of biomass and waste-derived fuels. Chemical-Looping Combustion (CLC) is a revolutionary method for fuel conversion, that provides inherent CO2 capture and drastically reduces problems related to corrosive ash elements present in difficult fuels. You will work together with researchers with long and internationally recognized experience in the development of technologies for biomass conversion and carbon dioxide capture.

Project description
The announced positions are within the projects “Advancing chemical-looping combustion of domestic fuels” and “Flexible chemical looping combustion for combined heat and power production from biogenic residues with negative emission”. Both are multi-partner projects and involve academic and industrial partners.

While different in their scope and activities, the goal of both projects is to further the development of Chemical-Looping Combustion (CLC), a concept related to Fluidized-Bed Combustion (FBC), but which involves the use of chemically active bed materials. CLC provides two important advantages over FBC, namely inherent CO2 sequestration and separation of corrosive ash elements and vulnerable heat-transfer surfaces. These advantages make CLC an ideal technology for Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), which has been identified as a necessary technology for achieving climate policy targets. BECCS involves capturing and storing CO2 absorbed by biomass from the atmosphere during combustion or utilization, and allows for co-generation of negative CO2 emissions, power and heat.
In the Nordic countries we have unusual access to biomass resources, unique infrastructure for biomass utilization and technological know-how to realize BECCS in the near term.

Information about the division and the department
Chalmers University of Technology has been a pioneer institution in the development of CLC and related technologies. Your role in the project will be to lead various activities and perform experimental work that relates to operation of a CLC pilot unit and measurement of important emissions, characterization of bed material and ash samples, and application of novel measurement techniques. You will collaborate with senior researchers and PhD students at the Division of Energy Technology and at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering .

Major responsibilities
As postdoc your main responsibility is to conduct research within the framework of the given project. You are expected to work with a high degree of independence, while still being capable of close collaboration with other researchers and industrial partners when needed. You should be able to communicate scientific results to different stakeholders, both orally at meetings and conferences and in written form as scientific articles. If desired, teaching in undergraduate and graduate courses can be part of the work description, but it is not mandatory.

Qualifications
By the starting date, the applicant should have a PhD exam in a subject relevant for the project content (e.g. energy engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering). Candidates who received their PhD degree within the last three years will be prioritized.

Experience of experimental research is mandatory, and research related to chemical-looping combustion is a benefit. Also, the position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, and preferably also in Swedish. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.
Experience and knowledge in the following areas is meritorious: i) Fluidization engineering, ii) Material characterization, iii) Biomass utilization, iv) Combustion and gasification, v) Chemical-looping combustion and similar concepts, vi) Oxide chemistry.

To qualify for the position of postdoc, you must hold a doctoral degree awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). Exceptions from the 3-year limit can be made for longer periods resulting from parental leave, sick leave or military service*.

* The date shown in your doctoral degree certificate is the date we use, as this is the date you have met all requirements for the doctoral degree.

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment.
The duration of the position is two years, which can be extended for maximum one year.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .
Read more about working at Chalmers  and our benefits  for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence . Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with 20240166 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV:(Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: 2024-04-09

For questions, please contact:
Professor Magnus Rydén, Division of Energy Technology,
[email protected]

Professor Tobias Mattisson, Division of Energy Technology,
[email protected]

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!

URL to this page
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/work-with-us/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=12715&rmlang=UK