PhD in Energy and material-efficient transformation of the plastics ind.

The Division of Energy Technology at Chalmers currently has an opening for a PhD student in the area of resource-efficient transformation of industrial processes to become climate-neutral or even climate-positive, meaning that they contribute to net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. The industrial sectors in focus include production of basic plastics and transportation fuels. These sectors are facing major challenges to implement rapid and complete transformation of their operations by 2045, whilst remaining cost-competitive. There is thus a clear need for research that can provide industrial decision-makers with the knowledge required to implement this transformation.

Project description
The research will be conducted within the project "FUTNERC - Transformative change towards net negative emissions in Swedish refinery and petrochemical industries", funded by the Swedish Energy Agency with co-funding from industry.
The overall aim of the project is to explore possible development paths that can contribute to transformative change of the basic plastics and transportation fuel industries so as to comply with societal targets for feedstock switching from fossil fuels to plastic waste and biomass, while at the same time becoming net negative emitters of greenhouse gases by 2045 and beyond, in alignment with the Swedish climate targets. The pathways to be assessed will include electrification, Carbon Capture and Storage and/or re-Use (CCS/U), renewable and recycled feedstocks and fuels, as well as energy efficiency measures. The focus of the project will be to identify cost-effective and competitive solutions for achieving these targets. The research activities will involve development of generic reference case process models which can be used as benchmarks for assessing more detailed process modifications defined together with the industrial project partners. All potential development pathways will be assessed with respect to techno-economic performance for different assumptions regarding future development of parameters such as fuel and electricity prices, carbon pricing in different sectors and cost for transport and storage of captured CO2. An additional aim of the project is to formulate new performance indicators that can guide decision-making for transformative change of capital-intensive industrial processes.

Major responsibilities
As a PhD student, your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research orally and in writing. The majority of your time will be devoted to research. PhD student positions also include teaching at the undergraduate level and performing other departmental duties, corresponding in total to a maximum of 20 % of the working time. You are expected to write a mid-term licentiate thesis and defend your doctoral thesis within 5 years. In addition, the PhD program includes taking advanced level courses corresponding to 60 ECTS credits.

Qualifications
MSc degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education (ECTS) credits in any of the following fields of engineering: mechanical, chemical, process, thermal or energy engineering, or similar. Candidates from the top 250 universities in the QS World University Ranking for Chemical Engineering will be given special consideration.

We are looking for candidates with in-depth knowledge regarding process operations in the chemical industries. Candidates with experience of conceptual design of advanced process solutions for implementing circular economy concepts in the basic plastics and liquid transportation fuels sectors are of particular interest for the project.

Excellent writing and communication skills in English are required. A basic knowledge of the Swedish language is meritorious for the position. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.


Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20230286 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Application deadline: 2023-05-28

For questions, please contact:

Prof. Simon Harvey, Div of Energy Technology, simon.harvey@chalmers.se

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***