PhD position in Development of novel catalysts for chemical production

In this project the main objective is to reduce the CO2 footprint of important specialty chemicals. This will be done by developing innovative catalysts for efficient processes as well as using green feedstocks. This position will enable combining detailed catalysis research with a close collaboration with industry.

Information about the research
Perstorp is today producing many specialty chemicals that are important for our society. This research project, funded from Swedish Energy Agency, is focusing on producing chemicals with lower CO2 footprint, by using more efficient processes as well as green feedstocks.

This position is at the Chemical Engineering division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering department at Chalmers. We have a wide range of experience and work both experimentally and with modeling. We have a long tradition of working with both fundamental scientific questions and applied problems together with industry. This position is within the unit for Chemical Process and Reaction Engineering. In addition, the position will be included in the Centre for Chemical Process Engineering (CPE) and Competence Centre for Catalysis (KCK). This project is conducted together with Perstorp, which is a leading company for specialty chemicals. A close collaboration between Perstorp and Chalmers in the project is critical.

The details of the departmental research activities may be found here.

Major responsibilities
The project will focus on developing novel catalysts. The catalyst will be tested in high pressure reactors. The catalysts will be thoroughly characterized using for example XRD, BET, SEM, TEM, TPR, TPD, DRIFT and XPS. We are currently recruiting a PhD student to the project.

The position will involve reporting current research results in both written and oral form as well as authoring scientific research publications. The position will also include teaching in Chemical Engineering courses up to 20% of working hours.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 5 years.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, you must have a master's level degree in Chemical Engineering or similar, corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in a relevant field.

We are looking for a motivated and independent person with ability to withstand stress. You are quality conscious and enjoy analytical problem solving.  

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

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 20220021 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

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. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 20 February 2022. 

For questions, please contact:
Professor Louise Olsson, Head of Division Chemical Engineering
louise.olsson@chalmers.se

Professor Derek Creaser, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
derek.creaser@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. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!