Senior Research Engineer – Thermodynamics of CO2 in ionic liquid-eutectics - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Chemistry is now offering a senior research engineer position within the project aiming at developing the concept of sorbents/solvents based on ionic liquids and deep eutectics for CO2 absorption. The employment is part-time 80% and permanent. The last day to apply is 1 July 2020.

Project description
The project will encompass development, synthesis and characterization of relevant ionic liquids as well as deep eutectics for CO2 capture. The proposed technology has the potential to yield more cost- and energy efficient CO2 absorption/desorption compared with the technologies of today. This implies rational experimental design, MS-analysis, identification of reaction products, thermodynamic analysis (MatLab), as well as quantification and optimization to yield tomorrow’s solutions in CO2 capture. The project also aims to contribute to the understanding of mechanisms behind the various transformations of CO2 upon absorption and improvements in process economics.

The project is carried out in close collaboration with the researchers from Luleå University of Technology (www.ltu.se), Wallenberg Wood Science Center (wwsc.se), the Bio4Energy consortium (www.bio4energy.se/) and the Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry and Reaction Engineering (www.abo.fi/institution/tekniskkemi). In addition, we aim at collaborating with other research groups within the domain of chemical engineering, catalysis and reaction engineering, in Sweden and elsewhere. All necessary equipment infrastructure for synthesis, characterization and analysis are available at the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University and at the collaborating universities like Luleå University of Technology and Åbo Akademi University in Finland. Within the project, we interact with researchers and with other research projects within Technical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry (https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-chemistry/research/technical-chemistry/). Our research is also strongly integrated with the research carried out by the industry, like the SP Processum Initiative circle in Örnsköldsvik (www.processum.se) and RISE ETC Energy Technology Center in Piteå (http://sp.se/en/units/risebio/etc/Sidor/default.aspx).

Working tasks
The working tasks will include synthesis and characterization of ionic liquids and their analogues (deep eutectics) in combination with CO2 capture. Further, participation in the project meetings, writing peer-review articles and laboratory guidance of students is included.

Qualifications
It is required to have a PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry or equivalent. You have a solid experience and knowledge of the physical, chemical and material science techniques that are relevant for the use of ionic liquids/deep eutectics processes. You have documented practical experience encompassing the synthesis, analysis and characterization of deep eutectics or ionic liquids for CO2 utilization and applications and characterization of the obtained fractions and knowledge in thermodynamic analysis (MatLab) of these solvents. Experience in carbon dioxide chemistry, knowledge of various chemical analysis methods such as chromatographic analysis is required.

You must be strongly motivated and interested in learning and developing new methods and capable of operating in an international environment. Very good command of the English language, both written and spoken, is required.

Practical knowledge in terms of operating flow-through reactors operating under pressure and experience of the relevant analysis methods (e.g. GC-MS and HPLC) is a strong merit. Very good skills in NMR spectroscopy is a strong merit. International experience is a merit and it is desirable that you have documented experience from research on carbon dioxide chemistry using deep eutectics as well as switchable ionic liquids in the spirit of ‘green chemistry’.

The position is permanent and part-time 80%. A probationary period may be applied. Starting date is as soon as possible at a date decided in agreement between the two parties.

Application
A complete application should include:

• a cover letter summarizing your qualifications, research interests and motives for applying (max 2 pages)
• a Curriculum Vitae with a publication list,
• copies of your PhD thesis and relevant publications,
• copy of doctoral degree certificate,
• names and contact details of 2 to 3 references.

Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system not later than 1 July, 2020.

For further information, please contact Prof. Jyri-Pekka Mikkola, +46-(0)90-786 5000, jyri-pekka.mikkola@umu.se.

Department of Chemistry is the largest department in the Faculty of Science and Technology, with approximately 200 employees, including about 40 doctoral students, and with a strong and expanding research. Three major areas of research; Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry and Technical Chemistry, represents the research and chemistry education of our department. We are also a strong partner in KBC, The Chemical-Biological Centre. www.umu.se/en/department-of-chemistry/.