PhD student position: Experiments and kinetic modelling of catalysis

Information about the division
This PhD student position will be located at the Chemical Engineering division of the department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The Division of Chemical Engineering includes the following groups Chemical Engineering Design, Chemical Reaction Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering, and, Chemical Environmental Science. We have a wide range of expertise 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 group for Chemical Reaction Engineering. In addition, the position is within the Competence Centre for Catalysis (KCK). KCK, is a research centre focused on heterogeneous catalysis at Chalmers. The goal of the centre is the development of catalytic technology for sustainable transport, energy and environmental systems. Chemical Engineering and KCK at Chalmers strive to provide an excellent environment for carrying out catalysis research with opportunities for collaboration with researchers in related projects or with industry partners.

Major responsibilities
The project is focused on heterogeneous catalysis for cleaning emissions from vehicles. The research will involve a combination of different experimental techniques regarding catalyst synthesis, catalyst characterization, as well as activity experiments. The understanding of the surface mechanisms from the detailed experiments will be used as a base for developing kinetic models for the catalytic process. The activity and selectivity of the catalysts will be measured with flow reactors. In addition, the catalysts will be characterized by many experimental techniques, like BET, XRD, TPR, SEM-EDX. Heat of adsorption will be measured with micro-calorimetry and surface species detected with DRIFT spectroscopy. With the detailed understanding gained from the experiments kinetic models will be developed.  The position will involve reporting current research results in both written and oral form as well as authoring scientific research publications. Also, it will include teaching at the undergraduate level or other duties corresponding up to 20% of working time. In addition, one-two research visits for a few months each are planned either in another country in Europe or USA. 

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 4,5 years.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemical Engineering with Physics.

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

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20150135 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.


Application deadline: May 15, 2015

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Louise Olsson,
Chemical Engineering,
louise.olsson@chalmers.se,
+41-31-772 4390

*** 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 eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, 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!