PhD vacancy Norway

5 PhD and 1 Post doc. positions within CO2 capture (publisert 9.12 2008, sist endret 11.12 2008) (Fjernes fra Innsida 2.1 2009)

Lagt inn av: Gerd Flataas

Melding til: NT Fakultetsadministrasjon Nettopp: Ledige stillinger The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Chemical Engineering together with Aker Clean Carbon(ACC) invites applicants for PhD research fellowships in the area of CO2 capture within the SOLVit research programme in the Trondheim CO2 Capture Laboratories. The SOLVit project is a large development programme for CO2 absorption solvents to be used with the ACC Just Catch technology. The project encompasses several areas within solvent development as elaborated below. Partners in the project are ACC, SINTEF and NTNU. Would you like to work in one of the largest and best CO2 capture research groups in the world, and in close collaboration with the industry, please respond to this announcement. The positions are foreseen filled in 2009/2010. The areas of research for the PhDs are: Second generation solvents, computational chemistry and characterization Use computational chemistry to study the effect of molecular properties on CO2 equilibrium constants, on solubility, activity (non-ideality) and kinetics. Validates with experimental screening for a better understanding of the capabilities of computational chemistry in predicting absorbent properties. General relation between solvent properties and heat requirement Investigate the relationships between equilibrium constants, e.g. for protonation and carbamate stability in complex amine systems, and the process performance and to develop a fundamental understanding as to how the intrinsic solvent properties together determine the energy requirement potential of a new solvent system. Radically new solvents, precipitating systems This PhD will address precipitating and phase change solvents or solvents utilizing pH swing or activity swing as part of the swing mechanism. System screening and selection, characterization, and to the laboratory pilot stage. Thermodynamic models for new solvents As new absorbent systems are developed and characterized, there will be a need for developing thermodynamic models for them ranging from simple equilibrium models to the most rigorous models, enabling modelling of CO2 equilibrium data, unloaded VLE data and thermal data in a consistent manner. Solvent degradation and corrosion Stability of absorbents during operation is of crucial importance to plant economics as well as the environmental acceptability of a new solvent. Molecular modeling will be used to elucidate potential relationships between molecular structure and stability. Degradation mechanisms will be studied in detail, and in particular oxygen reaction mechanisms connected to catalysts. Corrosion will also be studied with the aim of reducing corrosion rates by other means than addition of corrosion inhibitors which may have other adverse effects. Possible Post doc. Pilot plant operation and simulator validation The Post doc. will work on the in-house simulator model, CO2SIM, and incorporate new features such as modified mass transfer models and new thermodynamic models for the new solvent system. The Post doc. will also investigate the accuracy of the underlying models used in the simulator compared to experimental data as well as consistency in theory. The results will be used for simulation, validation and interpretation of data from the laboratory pilot plant and the ACC mobile test unit. For more information about the positions, please contact professor Hallvard Svendsen, email: hallvard.svendsen@chemeng.ntnu.no (no application address) More information about Department of Chemical Engineering, see: www. chemeng.ntnu.no Detailed information on our PhD programmes is found at http://www.ivt.ntnu.no/dr/e_index.php. Applicants for the PhD-positions should have an MSc or similar degree within relevant science, engineering or technology areas. The fellowships will be awarded on a competitive basis. NTNU’s PhD-rules require a master degree or equivalent with at least 5 years of studies and an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E for passing grades (A best). Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or a similar document, which describes in detail the study and grade system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/rec_qual/recognition/diploma_en.html PhD research fellowships are awarded for a total of 3 years with possible extensions based on teaching assistance. The positions are pending final authorization from the Norwegian Research Council. PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, in the State salary scale 45-49, gross NOK 353.200 to NOK 365.300 per annum (before tax). Ph.D. candidates start at wage level 45. There will be a 2 % deduction to The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. Applicants for the postdoc-position should have a PhD degreee within relevant area. Applicants with relevant experience will be preferred. The Postdoc position is awarded for a period ot two years. The position is remunerated in code 1352 in the State salary scale 57-71, gross NOK 435.700 to NOK 567.600 per annum (before tax). Post docs normally start at wage level 57. There will be a 2 % deduction to The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. NTNU’s objective is to increase the number of females in scientific positions. Female applicants are therefore encouraged to apply. The appointment of the PhD and postdoc positions will be made according to Norwegian guidelines for universities and university colleges and to the general regulations regarding university employees. An application with a CV, certified copies of transcripts and reference letters is to be submitted electronically through http://www.jobbnorge.no/. Preferably, we want the attachments in one file. Please mark your application with the reference number NT 88/08 for the PhD positions and referende number NT 89/08 for the postdoc-position. Application deadline: January 2, 2009.