EngD candidate on EcoCapture project

Job description

Within EcoCapture, a position as 2-year postgraduate student Process Design is available (EngD).

In this project the objective is to develop a cost-effective method and process to avoid/minimize oxidative degradation, by removing oyxgen (downto ppm level) in between the sorption step (in air) and desorption step (at elevated temperature).

Activities will include: Evaluation and selection of oxygen removal options, oxygen removal pilot unit design and modelling. After construction and installation (by projectpartners), testing and evaluation of the developed technology under real life conditions using the UT pilot plant is foreseen.

Direct Air Capture is identified as key enabling technology to meet Europe’s climate strategy and achieve Net Zero emissions in 2050. For the direct removal of CO2 from air, a highly selective sorbent or solvent is needed. For this, typically primary amines are selected as functional groups. A major issue when using amines is the loss of activity due to oxidative degradation, related to the presence of oxygen at regeneration conditions (at elevated temperature). The EcoCapture project addresses this issue.

EcoCapture is a multipartner project to improve DAC performance for these amine-based solid sorbent processes in general and in particular for DAC processes with sorbent circulation, as being developed by ReCarbn, spin-off company from the University of Twente. Carbotreat is a construction company, experienced in CO2 capture installations. EcoCapture is financed by the EU regional program EFRO-OOST.

Your profile

• Candidates with a MSc in Chemical- or Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Energy Technology, Applied Physics (or alike)
• You are fluent in English.
• You are highly motivated, creative and independent,
• You are a team worker
• You are interested in process design & -development and would like working on climate technologies.
• Modelling skills and experience in experimental research are advantageous.

Our offer

• You will be appointed on a fulltime position for 2 years
• The salary is € 2.618,- gross per month
• The offer further involves: a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%, a solid pension scheme, a minimum of 29 holidays, and numerous professional and personal development programmes.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus

Information and application

Your reaction should include an application/motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation, a detailed CV, and an academic transcript of B.Sc. and M.Sc. education. An interview and a scientific presentation will be part of the selection procedure.

Please apply via the provided button below.

For more information, please contact Prof. Wim Brilman,  d.w.f.brilman@utwente.nl

About the department

The Sustainable Process Technology (SPT) group is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology, TNW, at University of Twente. We develop experimental and modelling research in the areas of biomass conversion, affinity separations, plastic recycling, water and CO2 capture and conversion. We combine our expertise in different disciplines (process design, chemistry, catalysis, modelling, engineering) to contribute to the development of sustainable chemical processes.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.