Doctoral Grant as part of the Energy Transition Fund project BE-HyFE in the area of CFD-assisted...

The Faculty of Science is seeking to fill a full-time (100%) vacancy in the Department of Bioscience Engineering for a

Doctoral Grant as part of the Energy Transition Fund project BE-HyFE in the area of CFD-assisted reactor design for hydrogen release from liquid organic hydrogen carriers

The H2 team within the DuEL research group actively work in hydrogen storage and release from liquid organic hydrogen carriers, in close collaboration to Belgian ship builders, the Port of Antwerp, and emerging companies in the field. As part of this PhD project, the candidate will design, simulate, and optimize an electrified unit for the release of H2 from LOHC. The optimization procedure will result from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations (OpenFoam) in the context of automated shape optimization, as well as establishing the base over which future work based on topology optimization of this multiphase reacting flow will be performed. Innovative catalyst coating and characterization will also be required as the catalyst must be coated on surfaces that can be electrified.

This PhD position is part of the Energy Transition Fund project BE-HyFE which aims to establish a core group of 16 broadly trained and highly networked early-stage researchers who can support the Belgian industry in finding both technological and societal solutions to essential hydrogen challenges. The project offers you, next to an inspiring group dynamic with fellow researchers, a chance to establish specific hard and soft skills by means of a specialised training program (workshops, Hydrogen weeks, etc.), site visits to industry and (inter)national academic-industrial networking events. To encourage knowledge exchange and building the network, part of your PhD research will be performed in the Belgian knowledge institute of your co-promoter.

Position

• You prepare a doctoral thesis in the field of computational fluid dynamics-assisted reactor design.
• You publish scientific articles related to the research project of the assignment.
• You contribute to teaching and research in Department of Bioscience Engineering.

Profile and requirements

• You hold a master degree in Bioscience engineering/Chemical Engineering.
• You can submit outstanding academic results.
• Students in the final year of their degree can also apply.
• Foreign candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Your academic qualities comply with the requirements stipulated in the university’s policy .
• You are quality and innovation-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative.
• You are already proficient with the OpenFoam framework and have experience in performing laboratory experiments.

What we offer

• a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years, with the possibility of renewal for a further two-year period after positive evaluation;
• the start date of the scholarship will be between October 1st 2021 and December 1st 2021;
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP);
• a dynamic and stimulating work environment.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including August 5th , 2021 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a copy of your CV and a coverletter.
• A pre-selection will be made from amongst the submitted applications. The remainder of the selection procedure is specific to the position and will be determined by the selection panel.
• The interviews of the candidates, preselected by a selection panel, will take place between August 9th and August 13th , 2020.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected] .
• For questions about the profile and the description of duties, please contact Prof. Patrice Perreault, +32 3 265 96 71, [email protected] .