Applications are invited for a Post Doc position at Aarhus University, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Denmark.

The deadline for the application will be 9th of September 2019. The position is available from 1st of October 2019 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Research area
The Postdoc should conduct research in hydrothermal liquefaction, with clear focus on process modeling and techno-economic analysis.

The position has become available through an Innovationfond (DK) funded project and is part of the larger research area of hydrothermal processing at Aarhus University, Department of Engineering. The position is advertised as a fixed term 1 year position with the possibility of extension if opportunities arise during the duration of the project through other projects and funding opportunities.

The main responsibilities of the candidate will lie in the development of process simulation models for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of sewage sludge and the subsequent techno-economic analysis of the different models. The Centre for Biorefining Technologies at the Foulum Campus of Aarhus University is in the unique position of having one of the largest research pilot-scale HTL systems in the world with extensive experience in utilizing sewage sludge. The successful candidate will utilize these data along with process simulation software to assess the feasibility of integrating HTL in wastewater treatment (WWT) facilities. This assessment will provide insights of the minimum product selling price(s) and the factors that affect it most. This evaluation will reveal certain pathways that are more favourable for a positive return on investment, will identify the major cost components and will highlight the areas where research efforts need to be directed in order to improve the overall HTL in WWT efficiency (and costs) and its subsequent further commercialization.

The main tasks of the employee will lie in:

• Data analysis of pilot scale HTL reactor
• Process simulation and design
• Sensitivity analysis
• Techno-economic assessment

Prior experience in process simulations and techno-economic analysis of chemical processes in the biorefining/biofuel sector is desired.

The candidate is required to have a PhD in chemical engineering or similar. A strong academic background in applied research and publication record are expected. The candidates must demonstrate ability to conduct basic and applied interdisciplinary research, and experience with technology transfer from university to industry is desired.

The ideal candidate has all or several of the following qualifications and specific competences:

• A PhD degree in Chemical Engineering or similar (or about to get one)
• Extensive experience in process simulations and modeling with Aspen Plus, or similar
• A solid background in thermochemical processing of biomass, biorefining, biofuels or related areas.
• The ability to work and interact with experts from a broad range of scientific and technology backgrounds.
• The ability to work independently and to generate new ideas and creative approaches.
• The ability to write high impact, peer reviewed academic publications.
• Is passionate about science and working in a team dedicated to green technologies.

Place of Employment and Place of Work
The place of employment will be Department of Engineering, Aarhus University and the place of work will be: The Chemical and Biological Engineering Section, Department of Engineering, Hangovej 2, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.

Contacts
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:
Project manager: Assistant Professor Konstantinos Anastasakis ([email protected]), or Assistant Professor Patrick Biller ([email protected])

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified 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 each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants, including the main considerations emphasized during the selection process.

Formalities and salary range
Science and Technology 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.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

Deadline
9 September 2019

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/
Kilde: Jobnet.dk