Description of the workplace

The announced PhD position is within the CCS Group of the Department of Process and Life Science Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering. The CCS group in Lund is well-established and one of the leading research groups in Sweden, with both national as international collaborations with both industrial partners as with other universities and research institutes. We offer an excellent environment and platform for developing and optimizing novel carbon capture processes, from lab to pilot scale. Further details about the CCS Group can be found at: Carbon capture | Department of Process and Life Science Engineering

Subject description

Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) is currently a hot topic for the future of European industries, where carbon capture processes are applied to biomass-originated CO2 applications, such as in combined heat and power plants. Novel types of solvents are under development, and it is of high interest to test these for various industrial applications, for us to meet the climate goals.

The Carbon Capture Group is currently developing and constructing a pilot plant for the use of new types of amines for BECCS applications. This pilot plant is going to be transported, commissioned and operated at a BECCS site in northern Italy, where this PhD position will partly be situated. The pilot trials include sampling, online monitoring, data evaluation, optimizing the operational campaign, and investigating process integration of the energy systems of the site in Italy.

The PhD project is primarily linked to one ongoing project: Emissions mitigatioN tHrough cArboN CapturE froM bioENergy and its application in hard to abaTe industry - ENHANCEMENT, supported by the EU Horizon program. This is a part of an international project conducted in collaboration with DABO Engineering, Sintef, SOSVAV, Econotherm, Brunel University and Unimore.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 10%). 

Please note that this position is primarily situated in Lund, Sweden, but during the pilot plant campaign the position will be situated in northern Italy for 7-10 monthes, for on-site experiments.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Review of available scientific literature on the research topic and presentation in a report/article.
• Laboratory work, e,g. analysis methods and experimental setups.
• Monitoring and optimizing a BECCS process.
• Participating in the design and construction of the BECCS pilot plant.
• On-site operation and evaluation of the BECCS pilot plant in Italy.
• Supporting process simulations of the system regarding both techno-economical analysis and LCAs.
• Reporting and communication with the project partners, in particular DABO Engineering, SOSVAV and Sintef. 
• Teaching assistant in a course at the Division of Chemical Engineering.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Chemical or Environmental Engineering if the applicant has: 

• a specialized project of at least 30 second-cycle credits in the research subject.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish.
• Driving license B.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following: 

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project, other project courses and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and handle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills in English and Swedish.
4. Other experiences relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. industrial engineering experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience in working with carbon capture processes on pilot scale.
• Knowledge of novel amine solvents for BECCS applications.
• “Hands-on” -experience in building/assembling lab- and pilot scale equipment.
• Analysis and evaluation of degradation products from a BECCS plant.
• Experience of in-situ analytical equipment for BECCS, such as Raman spectroscopy and/or FTIR.
• Knowledge of modelling and programing skills in Python, Aspen Plus, MATLAB, Modelica, Fusion 360, and/or LabView.
• Experience of analytical equipment in laboratory environment, such as HPLC, GC and/or UV-VIS spectroscopy.
• Experience of working with organic solvents and correlated separation processes.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university

Are you ready to help shape the future of research?

Learn more about why Lund University could be the right choice for you here, and more about working in Sweden here. These videos provide information about Working in Lund, Moving to Lund, and Living in Lund.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 4.5 years (including 10% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!