Research assistant in Power-to-X: Production of renewable fuels

At AU’s energy research site in Foulum, Biological and Chemical Engineering is at the forefront of the development within Power-to-X. Together with industrial partners, we are developing and demonstrating technology for production of new green fuels and chemicals from biogas and renewable electricity.

We now have an opening for a research assistant to be part of the team working on production of renewable methanol via a new, promising route.

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a 1-year position from October 1st or as soon possible.

Job description
You will become part of a dedicated project team, operating and developing our research facilities, with special emphasis on the newly installed eSMR (electrified steam methane reformer) plant for production of renewable methanol from biogas and electricity.

More specifically, you will be involved in daily operation of our pilot plant, including modification of utilities and equipment, operation of the plant, preparing and executing experiments as well as analyzing experimental data from the plant.

Further, you will be involved in preparation of the next project stage, establishment of a methanol synthesis loop. You may also take part in executing and reporting experimental research activities on some of our other Power-to-X pilot plants.

The position relates to projects funded by the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program, conducted in close collaboration with Haldor Topsoe A/S and other industrial partners.

Your profile
Applicants should hold a Master’s Degree in chemical engineering, process engineering or similar.

Further, we expect the following qualifications:

• Solid knowledge within chemical processes and process technology
• Good skills in analysis, interpretation and communication of experimental results
• Aptitude for hand-on work incl. technical troubleshooting, modification of equipment etc.
• Ability to work independently, as well as within a team environment

We prefer applicants with drive and independency, motivated by being part of a dynamic project environment.

Who we are
In the AU Foulum energy research site, AU’s own full-scale biogas plant serves as a unique platform for conducting research and education within energy conversion and the carbon economy value chain at industrially relevant scale.

Here, we are focusing on different Power-to-X (-gas, -chemicals, -fuels) technologies and combinations hereof in close collaboration with industrial partners. The research assistant will be part of a dedicated team comprising researchers, technical personnel, project management and students.

We are part of the Institute of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE), with strong research sections in Environmental Engineering and Materials & Process Engineering. We are working with research and education, and translation of results into solving relevant societal challenges is a highly prioritized part of our work.

Close collaboration with our neighboring departments (Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Molecular Biology & Genetics, iNano, Biosciences, Food, Agroecology and Chemistry) is a natural part of our culture.
www.bce.au.dk

What we offer
This section may include topics such as:
The successful candidate is offered:

• Possibility to contribute to solutions for issues of high importance and focus for society
• Possibility to gain valuable experience in an area of increasing importance
• Becoming part of a research area, department and environment in fast development
• A working environment characterized by cross-disciplinarily and team work
• A workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Aarhus University, at the energy research facility in relation to AU’s biogas plant and agricultural research facilities in Foulum.

Here we have unique facilities with several pilot-scale plants for production of fuels and chemicals of the future in connection to AU’s own biogas plant.

Address: Burrehøjvej 43, DK-8830 Tjele.

Contact information
Further information about the position may be obtained from:

• Project Manager Thomas Lundgaard ([email protected], +45 29 16 31 35) or
• Researcher Dr. Behzad Partoon ([email protected], +45 22 52 16 59).

Application procedure
Short-listing is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the assessment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. The selection is made on the basis of an assessment of who of the candidates are most relevant considering the requirements of the advertisement. All applicants will be notified within 6 weeks whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee and will receive his/her assessment. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference
If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range
Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Deadline: 02 August 2021
Kilde: Jobnet.dk