BEMÆRK: Ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, invites applications for a postdoc position offering applicants an exciting opportunity to join a new research project exploring the feasibility and the potential of the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) from different CO2 sources and renewable electricity.
Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 2.5–year position from 01.12.2023 or as soon possible.
Job description
The main responsibilities of the candidate will lie in:
- Process simulation and design.
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
- Techno-economic Assessment (TEA).
- Sensitivity and scenario analysis.
- Data collection and analysis from the pilot plant facilities.
- Writing scientific publications of the results obtained from modeling, analysis and integration of the technologies under investigation.
- Active participation in the supervision and training of MSc, and BSc students.
The position is enabled by the EUDP funded project FrontFuel, where several industrial partners are working together with Aarhus University to establish and demonstrate the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) from CO2 sources and renewable electricity. As part of the project, pilot plant facilities will be established and operated at the already existing Power-to-X facilities at Viborg Campus of Aarhus University. The successful candidate will model the overall system (CO2 sources, SOEC, eREACT, FT, hydrotreatment) for both steady state and transient operations, assess the opportunities for mass and energy integration and evaluate the different configurations in terms of their environmental (LCA) and economic (TEA) performance. Operation data from the pilot plant facilities will be utilized both for models’ development and validation. Through this work it is expected to: (i) identify the optimal configuration of the FrontFuel concept, (ii) identify the commercially feasible scales and CO2 sources for the technology, (iii) allow the comparison of the FrontFuel concept to other state of the art technologies for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as well as to fossil-derived aviation fuel and ( iv ) identify and propose routes for further optimization of the overall process.
The work will expand on the on-going research in Sustainable Process Systems Engineering as well as in Power-to-X. The work will be carried out as part of the FrontFuel consortium and a growing team at AU working on process systems engineering and Power-to-X technologies.
The candidate is required to have a PhD in chemical engineering, process engineering or similar (or about to complete the degree). Prior experience in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), process simulations, and techno-economic analysis (TEA) of chemical processes in the synthetic/renewable fuels sector is essential. Additional experience in programming is an advantage.
A strong academic background in applied research and publication records are expected. The candidates must demonstrate ability to conduct basic and applied interdisciplinary research, and experience with technology transfer from university to industry is beneficial. It is important that the applicant has the ability to independently evaluate chemical processes in terms of mass and energy balances.
The ideal candidate has all or several of the following qualification and specific competences:
- A PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or similar (or about to).
- Experience in conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA).
- Extensive experience in process simulations and modeling with Aspen Plus, or similar.
- Experience in Techno-economic assessments (TEA)
- A solid background in thermochemical processes, renewable/synthetic fuels or related areas.
- Experience in programming (Matlab or Python) would be beneficial.
- The ability to work independently and to generate new ideas and creative approaches.
- Documented ability to have scientific results of high quality published in peer-reviewed journals
- Is passionate about science and engineering and working in a team dedicated to green technologies.
- Fluency in English – written and oral
Who we are
The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE) has strong research sections in Environmental Engineering and Materials & Process Engineering. The successful applicant will be working with the Process & Materials Engineering section 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 position is available through an Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) Project from the Danish Energy Agency called ForntFuel. The project starts in August 2023 and is expected to finish in June 2026. The aim of the project is to establish a novel PtX technology combined with conventional FT process to produce proven and certified e-fuels and demonstrate that e-fuels can effectively inherit the existing value chain of fossil-based aviation fuel for fast market penetration.
What we offer
The department/centre offers:
- the opportunity to be part of a team developing novel technologies for sustainable fuels and make a high impact in solving climate change issues.
- a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment, software and databases
- an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators.
- a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research.
- a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities.
- a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.
Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Hangøvej2, Aarhus 8200, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.
Contact information
For further information, please contact: Assistant Professor, Konstantinos Anastasakis, kanastasakis@bce.au.dk.
Deadline
Applications must be received no later than 14.09.2023.
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.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Aarhus Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Aarhus Universitet, Hangøvej 2, 8200 Aarhus N
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 14-09-2023; - ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Ved skriftlig henvendelse: https://AU.emply.net/recruitment/vacancyApply.aspx?publishingId=de454fd1-1801-40f9-9df5-2ab98fda3065
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/5886967