PhD position in Energy Technology - Thermal Process Chemistry - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Applied Physics and Electronics currently has around 90 employees and conducts research in the fields of energy technology, electronics and system engineering. A large part of the energy research is conducted within the research environment Thermochemical Energy Conversion Laboratory (TEC-Lab) that hosts the present project. Here, the strong and expanding research is mainly targeting thermochemical energy conversion processes. The overall goal is to contribute with new knowledge that is useful for the society and industries in increasing the use of new fuels and materials, developing and improving industrial processes, avoiding expensive operational problems, reusing finite resources, and minimizing harmful by-products and emissions.

TEC-lab is recruiting a PhD student in Energy Technology with specialization in Thermal Process Chemistry for a project focused on fundamental studies of chemical and thermal properties of raw materials for cement and quicklime production. Application deadline is 30 November 2019. The position will open on 1 February 2020 (exact start date can be negotiated).

Project Description
The overall goal of the research area is to use new knowledge about raw material properties to optimize value chains for sustainable production of cement clinker and quicklime. This will be accomplished by using new knowledge and competence about raw materials, mixtures of raw materials, and methods for characterization of raw materials. Studies will be targeting product quality, operation stability, increased efficiency in use of raw materials, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and reduced energy consumption during production of cement and quicklime. Since a large amount of raw materials and advanced characterization methods are available, determining relevance together with a reference group from collaborating industries will be an important part of the studies. Extensive laboratory work includes experiments in lab and industrial scale, and analyses using e.g. SEM-EDS, XRD, thermogravimetry and titration.

Studies will be performed in close collaboration with mineral processing industries, taking part in the reference group and enabling industrial scale studies.

The project is a part of activities within the Centre for Sustainable Cement and Quicklime Production at Umeå University.

https://www.umu.se/en/centre-for-sustainable-production-of-cement-and-burned-lime/

Competence requirements
The applicant should have a Master of Science degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, energy technology with specialization on thermochemical energy conversion, geology, material science, mineral technology or equivalent qualifications. Prerequisites to be admitted to the postgraduate education include 240 ECTS credits of higher education studies, of which 60 ECTS credits should be on an advanced (master) level.

In addition to these general requirements, the applicant is required to have completed at least 120 credits in the fields of chemistry, chemical engineering, energy technology, geology, material science, mineral technology or other subjects directly relevant to postgraduate studies. Applicants who in some other system either within Sweden or abroad have acquired largely equivalent skills are also eligible. The requirements must be fulfilled at the time of admission to postgraduate education and need not be met at the time of application.

The applicant should be highly motivated, goal-oriented, and have the ability to work with mainly experimental tasks both independently, as well as in collaboration with a research team. The successful applicant must have a strong interest in development of directly useful knowledge within the subject of the project. The project includes handling of chemicals and experiments at high temperatures, which means that carefulness and high safety awareness are important. Very good knowledge of the English language, both in speech and in writing, is required.

Other desirable qualifications
It is considered beneficial if the applicant’s degree, or by complementary education, has a specialization in high temperature processes or high temperature inorganic chemistry or advanced knowledge in mineralogy and petrology. Experience from experimental studies in any of the specializations listed is qualifying, as well as competence related to relevant analytical methods (especially ICP, XRF and SEM-EDS). Good communication skills in Swedish are also qualifying.

Terms of employment
The employment is expected to result in a doctoral degree and the main assignment for the doctoral student is thus to be active in research, study doctoral courses, and possibly participate in teaching of courses at undergraduate level. Financing time is limited to four years full time (48 months). Teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%) may be included. The employment is limited to four years at full time or up to five years if teaching and other departmental work is performed. The salary is fixed according to the established salary level for doctoral students at Umeå University.

Application
Your application should include the following:

• A cover letter with a brief description of your qualifications, research interests and motivation for applying, and your contact details (max. 2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae.
• Copies of relevant degree diploma(s) and certificates.
• A list of university courses with grades. Note that for international applicants the grading system should be explained in brief.
• A copy of master thesis and publications (if any).
• Contact information of two reference persons.

The application, including attached documents, must be written in English or Swedish. The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. The closing date is November 30, 2019.

Information
For more information contact Markus Broström, tel.: +46 90 786 59 71, e-post: markus.brostrom@umu.se, or Matias Eriksson, tel.: +46  70 271 32 74, e-post: matias.eriksson@umu.se

Applications must be submitted via e-recruitment system Varbi no later than 2019-11-30. 

We look forward to receiving your application!