PhD Position: Optimisation of Technologies for Electrifying Chemical Processes

Are you interested in techno-economic optimisation and comparison of novel electrified processes for the large scale synthesis of platform molecules? Apply now

Are you interested in techno-economic optimisation and comparison of novel electrified processes for the large scale synthesis of platform molecules? Join the Energy & Resources group of the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development for this exciting PhD project

This PhD position is part of a large research project ‘Sunsolr: Electrification of chemical conversions’ which is funded by the Long Term Program Process Technology (LTP) set up with Industry, the Dutch funding body TKI E&I, and academia. The LTP programme is coordinated by the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT) and aims at contributing to the development of the process industry of the future. Accordingly, you will be embedded in an interdisciplinary team with four additional PhD candidates from partner universities (TU/e, TU Delft, University of Groningen, and Twente University) and with strong interaction and support from leading energy and chemical companies.

Societal relevance: The transition to a CO2 net-zero society requires a major rethinking of the energy system, with coordinated, timely deployment of several technologies. Among the different sectors that need to become CO2 neutral, the chemical industry will be confronted with a daunting, yet existential challenge: to produce large amounts of carbon-based platform molecules starting from renewable energy and non-fossil material feedstocks. Given the scale of production and associated CO2 emissions, the large capital investments of plants, and the limited time available for the transition, the defossilisation of the chemical industry is a cornerstone for a net-zero society. In this pursue, two elements are particularly important. On the one hand, the electrification of the chemical industry, which is expected to play a major role in enabling the transition from a fossil-based to a renewable-based primary energy input. On the other hand, the availability of CO2-free carbon: the chemical industry must source carbon from non-fossil feedstocks, e.g. using direct air capture, where CO2 is captured directly from air. Sunsolr aims to initiate and develop novel technologies for the direct electrification (i) of chemical conversions via electrocatalysis of pre-captured CO2, and ii) of integrated CO2 capture and conversion.

Research focus: This PhD project will be embedded in Sunsolr and will focus on the in-depth process and techno-economic assessment of the different novel electrified routes developed in the other work packages, with the goal of:

1. comparing the performances and overall energy efficiencies of the different approaches; and
2. providing clear guidelines and targets for the different routes to be competitive with alternative technologies.

Therefore, the overarching objective of this PhD project is to facilitate and speed up the development of novel electrified technologies for the production of bulk chemicals by providing key techno-economic insights from process and system level perspective. This will be achieved by developing and applying a model-based process and system optimisation framework. You will apply, and where required develop, mathematical methods to support the design and the understanding of the critical phenomena inside and outside the proposed technologies. The process design will identify the spectrum of technologies that must be coupled to the core electrified technologies. The system design will co-optimise size and operation of the envisioned processes when connected to the external energy (electricity) and material (CO2, H2) feedstocks, while also identifying in terms of design and operation the energy system associated to the different production routes. Finally, a detailed techno-economic assessment will integrate the technical (mass & energy balances, equipment lists) and production cost information into a detailed bottom-up engineering-economic analysis. Therefore, in this PhD project, the optimal process synthesis and techno-economic analysis will be bridged to broader, time-discretised system-level evaluations.

We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated candidate with interest in the fundamental and applied aspects of process synthesis and optimization. The ideal candidate must have a Master’s degree in Engineering (possibly Chemical, Process, Mechanical, Energy or Electrical), Applied Physics, or related field. Moreover, the candidate should:

• possess excellent understanding of thermodynamics, reactor engineering, and chemical and energy conversion technologies coupled with good mathematical and programming skills;
• have experience (e.g. in design courses during master studies) in process synthesis and techno-economic evaluation (e.g. in Aspen Plus, gPROMS);
• have experience in programming languages such as Python, Matlab, Julia (Jump);
• have modelling experience with linear or mixed-integer linear programming (nice-to-have);
• have experience with machine learning, statistics and data analytics (nice-to-have);
• have strong affinity with sustainable development;
• have excellent communication skills;
• have work proficiency in English;
• enjoy working in an interdisciplinary and international, diverse environment.

We equally encourage applications from candidates interested in an academic and/or industry career.

You are not sure if you qualify for this position, but it triggered your interest? Contact us at the address given below.

We offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)); 
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus; 
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU. 

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

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 of Sustainable Development is an internationally-renowned institute in the domain of energy, environmental and sustainability sciences. Within the Sustainable Development department, the Energy & Resources group focuses on transitioning to a sustainable energy and resource system, with special attention to integrating the efficient use of energy and resources with renewable energy supply solutions, at various scales. In the E&R group the challenges are analyzed in a variety of dimensions: from fundamental material sciences, technology assessment, to governance, and combining bottom-up and top-down approaches. The group has a strong track record in areas such as energy efficiency, sustainable biobased production of energy and materials, low-carbon energy solutions (including wind, photovoltaics, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage), and process and energy system modelling.

For more information, please contact Matteo Gazzani at m.gazzani@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.