Postdoc position in LCAs of carbon capture through carbonate chemistries

We are offering a two-year postdoc in a multidisciplinary and collaborative project related to carbon capture based on carbonate (CO32) chemistries and utilising industrial waste streams. The research is conducted within the DECREASE project, which is a collaboration between three research divisions at Chalmers (Chemical engineering, Fluid dynamics and Environmental systems analysis), and is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Information about the project and the division
To meet climate goals, CO2 capture technologies must be made available for a broad range of industries. In the DECREASE project, different pathways for CO2 capture based on flexible carbonate (CO32- ) chemistries are explored and evaluated. CO2 will be converted by exploring different residual waste streams at industrial sites to form either insoluble carbonate-based minerals or organic carbonates. These processes can in principle operate at ambient conditions (atmospheric pressure and temperatures) which makes them both resource- and energy-efficient. The DECREASE project focuses on combining advanced experimental, theoretical and analytical methodologies: (i) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure flows and concentrations inside a reactor in real-time as a function of process parameters; (ii) computational fluid dynamic simulations to develop new models based on experimental MRI results to design large-scale reactors and (iii) life cycle studies to guide the screening of sustainable chemistries and to assess the overall environmental effects of the studied carbon capture processes.

The postdoc position is placed at the Division of Environmental Systems Analysis (ESA) at the Department of Technology Mangement and Economics (TME). ESA has a growing research group of LCAs of carbon capture technologies, which will provide the immediate academic environment to the postdoc position.

ESA conducts systems-oriented interdisciplinary research to find more sustainable technology solutions and to find ways to transform technology systems to better meet the environmental and resource constraints society faces. The division has a long engagement in method development for life cycle assessment, risk assessment and material flow analysis. Other research at ESA includes populated flow studies, innovation systems and transition studies, which adds to our understanding of systems and the environment. The division has around 40 staff and faculty members, including engineering, social and natural science researchers. It is a dynamic and inclusive research environment with friendly athmophere and cutting-edge research in multiple areas. More information about the department and the division can be found here. 

Major responsibilities
You will collaborate with other researchers within the DECREASE project and contribute to the LCA-related deliverables. Your work involves prospective life cycle assessment (e.g. predictive or parametric) of different chemical pathways and process designs in order to identify the most sustainable chemical pathways and process designs in collaboration with project members. Also wider environmental systems analyses for exploring the environmental scope of various industrial wastes for carbon capture are planned. The research will contribute towards a pilot-scale demonstration and the creation of a digital-twin for the CO2 capture system.

The postdoc will be responsible for environmental analytical work and is expected to draw on empirical data from the experimental researchers in the project, as well as communicate LCA results to support their design of chemistries and reactors. The position will involve reporting current research results in both written and oral form as well as authoring scientific research publications.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position you should have a multidisciplinary background combining degrees (MSc and PhD) in Chemical engineering and Industrial ecology, the doctoral degree must have been awarded no more than three years prior to the application deadline (according to the current agreement with the Swedish Agency for Government Employers). Knowledge of carbon capture technologies is a strong merit.

We seek a candidate who possesses creative and strong data analytical skills. You should have documented experience of LCA (e.g., prospective, predictive or parametric), and preferably also some experience of programming (e.g., Python, Brightway).

You should also be self-propelled and know how to structure your work, with ability to work well independently while also collaborating with a team where participants have complementary knowledge and skills. Given the collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of the project, experience of cross-disciplinary and industrial collaboration is therefore a strong merit.

The candidate should have published in high quality academic journals and successfully completed a PhD in a relevant field.

The following qualifications are mandatory:
- Multidisciplinary background with degrees in Chemical engineering and in Industrial ecology
- Successful completion of a PhD in a relevant field
- Documented skills in relevant life cycle assessment methodology (e.g., prospective, predictive, parametric)

The following qualifications are meriting:
- Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary collaborative team
- Expertise in carbon capture technologies
- Experience of programming (e.g., Python, Brightway

Contract terms
This postdoc position is a full-time temporary employment for two years, with the desire of starting at your earliest convenience. Interviews are ongoing. 

Application procedure
For instructions see here. 

Application deadline: 2022-10-23

For questions, please contact:
Professor, Henrikke Baumann, Environmental Systems Analysis,
Email: henrikke.baumann@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 772 2190

Associate Professor, Diana Bernin, Chemical Engineering,
Email: diana.bernin@chalmers.se
Phone: +46 31 772 1298

Associate Professor, Hans Hellsmark, Environmental Systems Analysis,
Email: hans.hellsmark@chalmers.se
Phone: +46317728160