Two PhD positions in Technology design and assessment for sorbents-based CH4 and NO2 separation from diluted streams (1.0 FTE)

Two PhD positions in Technology design and assessment for sorbents-based CH4 and NO2 separation from diluted streams (1.0 FTE)
Two PhD positions in Technology design and assessment for sorbents-based CH4 and NO2 separation from diluted streams (1.0 FTE)

Published	Deadline	Location
today	11 Sep	Utrecht

If you like to tackle a problem from a technical, engineering perspective, one of our PhD positions might be the right job for you. Read the profile and apply.
Job description

The European Union (EU) aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC Report  has clearly highlighted the role of non-CO2 greenhouse gases in the transition to a climate positive society, and their associated contribution and effects on global warming. Non-CO2 greenhouse gases are responsible for 28% of total anthropogenic emissions, of which CH4 (16%) and N2O (6%) are major contributors. In any scenario where the global average temperature rise is limited to 1-1.9 °C by the end of 2100, these emissions must be significantly reduced (>50%). However, these gases are hard to abate due to their diverse and inherently distributed sources (with concentration <1%-vol), for example the agricultural sector (livestock and farming), which is the main source of anthropogenic CH4 emissions. Moreover, their very low concentrations in the atmosphere (ppb or ppm level) make the recovery particularly challenging. On the other hand, mitigating these gases can significantly accelerate the transition towards a net-zero greenhouse gas EU economy by 2050, and achieve sustainable negative emissions thereafter. 
In this context, the EU project REPAIR  will develop first-of-its kind technological proof-of-concept to remove non-CO2 gases like CH4 and N2O from diluted sources, including from the atmosphere. Two process routes are proposed:

• (i) capture, concentration and storage/conversion;
• (ii) direct catalytic conversion.

In the project, experimental work will be coupled to theoretical and modelling activities, ranging from reactor to system level and including technical, economical, and societal analysis. The project also aims at identifying the plausibility of upscaling the technologies in real conditions considering technological, environmental, economic, social and policy compatibility.
Within this project context, two research teams of Utrecht University and TU Eindhoven are looking for two PhD candidates. Both positions will focus on the first separation route described above, i.e. capture, concentration and storage/conversion of the non-CO2 GHG gases, and will tackle the problem from a technical, engineering perspective ranging from reactor to system level; while one position will be at TU/e and one at Utrecht University, both candidates will closely work with both research groups at the two institutes in a joint team effort. In more details:

Position one will be embedded in the Sustainable Process Engineering group at TU/e (under the supervision of Prof. Gallucci, Dr. Gazzani and Dr. Di Felice) and will involve experimental and modelling research at reactor level. Relevant activities will include: sorbents screening and preparation for CH4 separation/concentration, acquisition of experimental kinetic and thermodynamic data, design and (long-term) operation of a fixed-bed proof-of-concept for CH4 separation, reactor and process scale modelling, model validation and performance prediction.

2. Position two will be embedded in the Energy & Resources group at Utrecht University (under the supervision of Dr. Gazzani and Prof. Kramer) and will involve: conceptual reactor and process development for large-scale deployment including conventional and advanced reactor configurations, process and energy system design and optimization, evaluation of opportunistic integration with CO2 removal from air (DAC), techno-economic evaluation of the optimal processes.
Specifications

• 36—40 hours per week
• max. €2541 per month
• Utrecht View on Google Maps

Utrecht University

Requirements

To be successful in the application, the PhD candidate should:

• hold a master degree in Chemical/Mechanical/Process engineering or in a relevant natural science subject area with excellent results;
• have experience and knowledge in mathematical modelling of separation processes;
• being highly motivated, committed, creative, and with excellent communication skills;
• be able to work in an interdisciplinary team, and interested in collaborating with industrial partners;
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students;
• Have excellent English proficiency (C1).

For position one at TU/e: experience and knowledge in experimental research, possibly in the field of gas separation, are highly valued;

For position two at Utrecht University: programming and mathematical skills coupled with good understanding of thermodynamics, process.

Conditions of employment

We are offering a meaningful job in dynamic and ambitious universities, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking/biking distance of the city centre.

You will be offered a full-time PhD position (1.0 FTE) for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. The gross salary starts with €2,541 per month in the first year and increases to €3,247 per month in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities ) for a full-time employment. For both positions, you will spend approximately 10% of your employment time on teaching tasks.

In addition, we offer you:

• excellent secondary conditions (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and holiday bonus of 8%.
• High-quality training programmes and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At UU and TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process .
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University .

For more information about TU/e, please visit working at TU Eindhoven .
Employer
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
The Copernicus Institute is part of the Faculty of Geosciences. At the Copernicus Institute, our goal is to have a positive impact on the transition towards a sustainable future. The Copernicus Institute has had an excellent research evaluation in 2021 and the institute takes pride in maintaining its leading position in national and international sustainability research, and by developing new, internationally oriented teaching programmes. 
Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.
Additional information
For more information (no applications) about these positions, please contact:

• Dr Matteo Gazzani, via [email protected] , or;
• Prof Fausto Gallucci, via [email protected] , or;
• Dr Luca Di Felice, via [email protected] .

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Application procedure
Both positions are available from 1st of October 2022 and the expected starting date should be within 2022.
Applications need to be sent online via the ‘apply’ buttons below with the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae, max. 2 pages
• motivational letter, max. 1000 words
• transcript of records (Bachelor and Master)
• contact details of 2 referees

Everyone deserves to feel at home at TU/e and Utrecht University. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

Applicants will be contacted around two weeks after the deadline.