Post-doctoral position in Combustion Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Ammonia has been suggested as a sustainable fuel for shipping engines, which has spured scientific research in ammonia combustion during the last decade. The combustion chemistry of ammonia is not fully understood, in particular questions remain in relation to its co-combustion with heavy hydrocarbon fuels like diesel. A postdoc will be hired to work in the EU project ENGIMMONIA, a collaboration between European universities and industry with the aims to develop all aspects of using ammonia as a fuel in shipping engines, to promote future sustainable shipping. The postdoc hired at the division of Combustion Physics will have a sole focus on development of reduced chemical kinetic mechanisms, which will be used in CFD simulations by other project partners. The chemical kinetic mechanisms will include the two fuels ammonia and n-heptane, to enable simulations of these fuels co-combusting in the ignition phase of ammonia combustion in a ship engine. Highly reduced chemical mechanisms are needed for the CFD simulations, and these kind of mechanisms including the two mentioned fuels have not been developed before. The project require both an in-depth understanding of combustion chemistry and skills in programming and simulation tools. Mechanism reduction is a combination of chemical and mathematical problem solving, via available simulation tools.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Research in the subject area of ​​chemical kinetics in combustion.
• Communication with academic and industrial partners within the project.
• Administration linked to the tasks above.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Very good insights and extensive experience of working with chemical kinetics models for combustion.
• Knowledge of programming in the Python language

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

• Experience of research concerning the fuels included in the project ammonia and n-heptane

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.