PhD candidate in industrial energy transition (1.0 FTE)
You cannot apply for this job anymore (deadline was 30 Sep ’23)
Are you passionate about supporting the industrial energy transition and do you want to obtain your PhD in an international and challenging environment?
Academic fields
Natural sciences
Job types
Research, development, innovation; PhD
Education level
University graduate
Weekly hours
36—40 hours per week
Salary indication
€2770—€3539 per month
We are seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD candidate to join our team, investigating how low-value biomass residues can be used to provide clean bioenergy for industrial applications. You will be part of the Horizon Europe CBE4I project, which investigates a novel fuel-flexible, highly efficient and close-to-zero emission combined biomass gasification and combustion technology for industrial applications. Many industrial applications require medium-to-high temperature heat, which cannot easily be supplied through renewable electricity, and as such, this technology provides a solution for otherwise hard-to-abate emissions.
An important part of this work includes life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental benefits and potential trade-offs of using the CBE4I technology in different industrial applications. A broad range of environmental impact categories will be assessed, and special attention will be placed on estimating the circularity performance of the technology regarding resource efficiency along the supply chain. The LCA results will be used to guide sustainable decision-making at the development and deployment stages of the technology.
In addition, you will perform an evaluation of the competitiveness of the CBE4I technology in different industrial sectors as basis for a roadmap for the successful deployment of CBE4I. This evaluation will consider, among other factors, the technical potentials, national legislation, biomass availability and costs.
The findings of this research will contribute to the evaluation and deployment of sustainable energy technologies for industries.
Beyond the scope of CBE4I, you may also be assessing CO2 capture and utilisation strategies of industrial biomass applications to further improve the sustainability performance.
You will be working in a team of experts at Utrecht University, and as part of the international project consortium including academic and industry partners from Austria, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.
As our ideal candidate, you have the following essential knowledge, skills, and experience:
We offer:
In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development, leave arrangements, sports and cultural schemes and you get discounts on software and other IT products. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow.
For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.
Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
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To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the 'apply' button.
Interviews will take place on 9 October in the afternoon and 12 October in the morning. We will inform those candidates selected for an interview as soon as possible after the submission deadline.
At Utrecht University, we work together towards a better future for all of us. You are invited to contribute to a better world.
Will you join us?