Doctoral student in chemical engineering: Absorption processes for BECCS - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Chemical Science and Engineering

Capturing CO2 from the flue gas of a biomass fired power plant is a pragmatic implementation of the BECCS (bio-energy carbon capture and storage) concept for generating negative emissions. Carbon capture from flue gas is preferably done by absorption using a liquid solvent in a packed column. The project aims at optimizing the solvent properties for absorption of CO2 from flue gases originating from thermal conversion of biomass. The project aims at studying the fundamental absorption characteristics of different solvent mixtures through small scale lab experiments and pilot scale experiments done in collaboration with our industrial partner. Experimental activities are complemented by numerical simulations and mathematical modeling using fundamental principles of vapor-liquid phase equilibria, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena. As part of the project, the PhD candidate will have the chance to follow the pilot plant tests of our industrial partner and gain experience how the pilot plant data is used for the development of a large-scale carbon capture process.

Supervision: The doctoral student will be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Matthäus Bäbler and Asst. Prof. Efthymios Kantarelis from the Department of Chemical Engineering.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• The possibility to publish and present the work at international conferences.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• Master’s degree in chemical engineering, process engineering or energy engineering or related discipline.
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.
• Requirements for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach in terms of technical expertise and oral and written communication skills
• ability to analyse complex issues in a structured manner.

The candidate is expected to have a good understanding of thermal separation processes, transport phenomena and basic chemistry. Experience in laboratory experiments, process simulation, mathematical modelling and analytical chemistry is desirable.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and  a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.