PhD position: next generation plasma reactors for methane pyrolysis

22 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Maastricht University (UM)

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

6 Mar 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

38.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Project description

The chemical industry urgently needs to cut its CO2 emissions. Electrification will reduce emissions from processes by powering them with renewable electricity in place of fossil fuels. Circular processes will reuse valuable resources (e.g. plastics), and in doing so will cut end-of-life emissions and reduce resource depletion rates. We research novel plasma technologies to facilitate both electrification and circular processes for the chemical industry. In future, industry expects to have an environmentally sustainable source of methane, which can be most effectively valorised via upgrading to ethylene; a crucial feedstock in the production of plastics. Thermal plasma technology is a promising approach for methane to ethylene conversion as it allows the possibility for high efficiency, excellent reactant conversion, and refined product selectivity. We are currently in the process of scaling up plasma technology from 1 kW lab-scale systems to 500 kW pilot scale systems – we seek PhD candidates to perform experimental research to facilitate these scale-up activities.

Job description
The successful candidate is expected to perform laboratory experiments to develop our understanding of high-power plasma discharges in methane. Experiments will be performed in our new laboratory, located at Chemelot, 20 km North of Maastricht. You will work independently to collect, analyse, and evaluate experimental data. You will join a growing team working on similar (i.e. plasma and spectroscopy) experiments. We expect that you will regularly discuss, share, and present your work with fellow team members, colleagues, and wider audiences at international conferences. We expect you will write a number of high-quality scientific articles, ultimately culminating in your PhD thesis.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• We seek strong applicants who have a Master’s degree in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, or other similar engineering or science disciplines
• Prior knowledge of plasma chemistry, laser diagnostics, hydrocarbon chemistry, or combustion is preferred but not essential
• Demonstrated affinity and ability with research work is preferred
• Experience with some form of analytical or scientific programming language is beneficial, e.g. Python, R, LabVIEW, Matlab, Mathematica, etc.
• You have fluency in both written and spoken English
• You are able to work both independently and as part of a team

Additional Information
Benefits

What we offer
As PhD position: next generation plasma reactors for methane pyrolysisat Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile Promovendus, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2770,00 and €3539,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
• We offer a rewarding career at a young university, with a distinct global perspective and a strong focus on innovative research and education.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. Further we offer reduction on collective health insurance, and application for attractive fiscal arrangements for employees from abroad.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.
  The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here .

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

Additional comments

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Tom Butterworth, [email protected] or Gerard van Rooij, [email protected] for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD position: next generation plasma reactors for methane pyrolysis? Apply now, no later than March 6, 2024, for this position.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/338089/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Maastricht University

Country

Netherlands

City

Sittard-Geleen

Postal Code

6167RD

Street

Urmonderbaan 22

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/338089/phd-position-next-generation-plasma-…

Contact

City

Maastricht

Website

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

Street

Minderbroedersberg 4

Postal Code

6211 LK

STATUS: EXPIRED