PhD student - Negative emisssions by direct air capture (DAC)

We are recruiting a PhD student willing to carry out research with the aim to assess CO2 capture using Direct Air Capture (DAC). The project will assess the DAC technology with respect to how it can be part of a Swedish CO2 mitigation portfolio and how it can contribute to negative CO2 emissions, both for offsetting emissions in the so called "hard-to-abate" sectors (e.g. agriculture, aviation and shipping) and to contribute to net negative emissions in line with the Swedish climate targets.

You will work with researchers hosting a long and internationally recognized experience in the field of research on different energy conversion technologies, and as an employee at the Division of Energy Technology you will be part of a research community with the general aim to reduce the environmental impact of energy use.

Information about the project and the research
The announced position is framed within the project "Negative emissions with Direct Air Capture (DAC) for Sweden", funded by the Swedish Energy Agency with co-funding from several companies. The project will assess the techno-economics of DAC and what role it could have in a Swedish CO2 mitigation portfolio, given different assumptions on future development of parameters such as fuel prices, carbon pricing in different sectors and cost for transport and storage of captured CO2. Although DAC is more expensive than Carbon Capture at flue gas stacks (CCS), it has some potential advantages in that it decouples CO2 capture from the emission sources, both physically and in time.

The research to be carried out by the PhD student regards the study and description of different DAC systems by means of process analysis under different assumptions on, for example, availability of heat for powering the DAC process. Based on the process analysis, the aim is also to perform an economic assessment of the DAC process under different assumptions of external parameters and to compare the role of DAC with other mitigation options, including CCS.

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 verbally and in writing. The majority of your time will be devoted to the research. PhD student positions generally also include teaching on Chalmers' 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 courses corresponding to 60 ECTS credits.

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

Qualifications
MSc degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education (ECTS) credits in any of the following fields of engineering: mechanical, chemical, thermal, energy, civil, physics engineering, or alike.

Excellent writing and communication skills in English are required.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200640 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 why you are interested in the position

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: 29 January, 2021

For questions, please contact:
Professor Filip Johnsson, Division of Energy Technology
E-mail: filip.johnsson@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 7721449

*** 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!