PhD student: Negative CO2 emissions by bioenergy with carbon capture

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) has been identified as a practically viable method to realize net-negative emissions of carbon dioxide, while the same time generating renewable power and heat. We are recruiting a PhD student to carry out research with the aim to develop methods to facilitate responsible realization of BECCS systems in Sweden and in the European Union. You will work together with researchers with long and internationally recognized experience in the development of technologies for biomass conversion and carbon dioxide capture, as well as energy systems modelling.

Information about the division and the department
The announced position is within the project "Below zero - Responsible and adaptive realization of sociotechnical bioenergy systems with carbon capture and storage". The project is part of the Graduate School in Energy Systems, which is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency and hosted by Linköping university. The project will employ two PhD students. The current position is for an engineering student at the Division of Energy Technology at Chalmers University of Technology. The second position is for a social science student at the Department of Thematic Studies: Environmental Change, Linköping university (advertised elsewhere).

Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) has been identified as a necessary technology for achieving climate policy targets, in Sweden and globally. It involves capturing and storing CO2 absorbed by biomass from the atmosphere during its growth, hence removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Thus, BECCS is a Negative Emissions Technology (NET), that allows for cogeneration of net negative CO2 emissions, heat, power, hydrogen, fuels or other products. In the Nordic countries we have ambitious emission targets, unique access to biomass resources, excellent infrastructure and technological know-how to realize BECCS on short notice.

The project starts off with the observation that, despite vast potential and urgent needs, there is a lack of actual implementation of BECCS. The aim is to identify technical, economical and societal barriers that hinder deployment, and feasible pathways forward. Activities at Chalmers include modelling of current and future processes for CO2 capture, and their application on key industries and in the current and future energy system. Collaboration with the project node in Linköping will be a part of the project, where the two PhD students may collaborate for example in analyzing industrial path dependencies and policy design to incentivise BECCS.

Major responsibilities
Your primary responsibility as a PhD student is to pursue your own research studies. This includes developing your own scientific concepts and communicating the results of your research verbally and in writing. You are expected to write scientific articles, a mid-term licentiate thesis and defend your doctoral thesis in 5 years. The position also includes teaching in Chalmers' undergraduate programs and certain departmental duties, corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of the working time in total. You will also take graduate courses, corresponding to 60 ECTS credits. Of these, 30 credits will be within the national Graduate School in Energy Systems.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position you need a MSc degree corresponding to at least 240 ECTS credits in any of the following fields of engineering: chemical, environmental, mechanical, thermal, energy, physics, or alike. Courses in energy conversion, process modelling, heat and mass transfer and biomass utilization are a merit. Education, courses or documented experience of interdisciplinary work in topics such as climate and energy policy, economics and social sciences is meritorious.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. 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 5 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 20220555 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: 2023-03-08

For questions, please contact:
Professor ('biträdande professor'), Magnus Rydén, Division of Energy Technology
Email: magnus.ryden@chalmers.se
Phone: (+46)317721457