Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Chemical Engineering Department

An opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher focused on the techno-economics, life cycle and sustainability assessments of biomass, green hydrogen and CO2 conversion to energy, chemicals and materials is currently available. The position will focus on various types of (thermo)chemical and biochemical processes for the recovery of valuable products from various types of plant biomass, together with green hydrogen and CO2, in research programs at the Department of Chemical Engineering and its collaborators.

This research group is currently collaborating with industrial and academic partners on the assessment of alternative process options for the conversion of plant biomass into energy, chemicals and materials via these processing methods. Such technology developments require techno-economic, environmental impact and sustainability assessments, to identify preferred process and product options as well as the required improvements in technological processes for industrial implementation.

The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to contribute significantly to:

A. Independently working on AspenPlus process simulations, greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, life cycle environmental assessments with SimaPro and techno-economics for a range of process technologies for biomass valourisation

B. Provide technical support to other researchers in the group working on similar projects

C. Critical evaluation of existing technologies, and proposals for technical development to improve these.

D. The publication of research outputs from current and previous projects

E. Development of new areas of research within the research group.

F. Writing new funding proposals to sustain research activities

Desired Skills and Experience

A Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, obtained within the past five years, with a strong background in process simulations, techno-economics and LCA or GHG assessments, as described above.

Candidates with a proven track record in chemical process design, process simulations such as AspenPlus, SimaPro, techno-economic assessments of process technologies and GHG or life cycle assessments of environmental impacts, are particularly encouraged to apply.

The fellowship is available for a minimum period of 12 (twelve) months, with a starting date of 1 January 2025, or shortly thereafter, and is renewable thereafter based on performance and funding availability. A competitive scholarship has been granted for the position and, provided that the necessary procedures are put in place, this will be awarded tax free. Please note that postdoctoral fellows are not appointed as employees and are therefore not eligible for employee benefits.

Closing date for applications is 31 October 2024. The university reserves the right not to fill the position.

Enquiries: jgorgens@sun.ac.za

Job Type: Full-time

Application Deadline: 2024/10/31