PhD position Intensified CO2

Job description

A PhD position is available for a four-year term as part of the recently awarded ERC Starting Grant for the IntensifiedCO2 project. The main objective of this project is to develop intensified processes for CO2 conversion into sustainable synthetic fuels via cobalt-catalysed Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS), based on advanced catalysis and reactor engineering concepts.

The successful candidate will prepare, characterize and evaluate heterogenous catalysts for CO2 conversion to sustainable synthetic fuels. Structure-performance relationships will be investigated, focusing on mixed feeds of CO2, CO, H2, and H2O under industrially relevant conditions. Process boundary conditions for efficient mixed feed FTS to produce synthetic fuels will also be identified. This position is embedded in the Catalytic Processes for Gas Conversion group within the Green Chemical Reaction Engineering research unit at ENTEG, RUG.

Organisation

Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programs and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global center of knowledge.

The engineering research in the university is consolidated in the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG). ENTEG seeks at performing excellent research and guiding directed at the integration of fundamental and engineering sciences. The research unit Green Chemical Reaction Engineering is part of ENTEG and our mission is to develop highly intensified catalytic methodology and technology for valorization of circular feedstock to chemicals and fuels.

Qualifications

Your profile includes

• A MSc degree in chemical engineering, heterogenous catalysis, or a related field with
• prior experience with catalyst performance evaluation and reactor engineering
• prior experience with catalyst preparation and standard characterization is beneficial.

Organisation

Conditions of employment

We offer you following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities

• A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week.
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• A full-time position (1.0 FTE) for four years. The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.