PhD Candidate in in absorption-based CO2 capture focusing on modelling of solvent degradation

As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate and, at the same time, gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

Department of Chemical Engineering seeks a PhD candidate to investigate solvent management technologies in amine-based CO2 capture plants.

This position at the Department of Chemical Engineering at NTNU focuses on chemical absorption and, more specifically, on the modelling of solvent degradation.  Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities, and the development and implementation of technologies for emission reduction are of great importance. Of the various methods to separate CO2 from industrial gases, absorption-based CO2 capture using aqueous alkanolamine solutions has reached the commercial stage. One of the remaining challenges is solvent degradation, which is also linked to equipment corrosion, as many solvent degradation compounds are corrosive. Solvent degradation is the irreversible transformation of an absorbent solution into other compounds that may cause equipment corrosion, amine loss, fouling, foaming, and finally reduction of CO2 absorption capacity.

This PhD work focuses on the modelling of degradation of a selected solvent blend. The aim is to build a model describing solvent degradation and the formation of degradation compounds over time at process-relevant conditions. The developed degradation model will be connected to a process model, allowing the prediction of solvent degradation and corrosion to understand how the degradation depends on process conditions like temperatures, process design and oxygen.

Conduct independent research in collaboration with the project team. The activities include:

• Literature review on solvent degradation and corrosion
• Building a validated solvent degradation model describing both oxidative and thermal degradation
• Process simulations of absorption-based CO2 capture with different process designs and industrial cases
• Combine the solvent degradation model with the simulation model and evaluate how the process conditions and design impact solvent degradation
• Assessment of the results, including evaluation of simplifications and uncertainties and their impact on the results
• Present the performed work and progress internally and externally
• Publish the results in recognised scientific journals
• Take part in the mandatory PhD research education program to complete the doctoral education until obtaining a doctorate

The candidate is further expected to:

• Participate actively in group and institute activities.
• Collaborate with other PhD candidates and research partners
• Contribute to the supervision of master’s students

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

• You must have experience in modelling using Matlab, Python or similar
• You have experience using process simulation tools, like AspenPlus, Hysys, or similar
• You are familiar with absorption processes
• You have some knowledge of the chemistry of ionic solutions and are interested in learning more about solvent degradation chemistry
• You must have an academically relevant background in Chemical Engineering or equivalent
• You must have a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master’s level. Master’s students can apply, but the master’s degree must be obtained and documented within 3 months after the start of the position
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master’s degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education
• The position requires spoken and written fluency in English
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program

Please note for detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

If you cannot document skills in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish at level A2 upon employment, you must complete Norwegian courses corresponding to at least 15 credits before the end of the employment period. NTNU will facilitate this.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations for the Universities and Colleges Act (university and colleges regulations) and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) for general criteria for the position.

• Knowledge and experience in chemical absorption to absorb CO2
• Experience in fitting and validation of models
• Experience in evaluating model accuracy and weaknesses
• Experience with preparing and delivering scientific presentations

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

• Work independently and be self-driven and persistent
• Work in a structured way, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Get involved and contribute constructively with feedback
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• Question and reflect on own and others’ work
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• training during working hours and company sports at NTNU
• As a public employee, you have favourable benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)

You will be employed as a PhD Candidate at NTNU and will have access to employee benefits and discounts.

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population’s collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK  536 200,-  per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years. If learning Norwegian (level A2 corresponding to at least 15 credits) is to be completed before the end of the employment period, the employment period can be extended by 10 weeks after completed and documented the Norwegian course.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Chemical Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary academic and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates.

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• CV
• Copy of Master’s thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor’s and Master’s education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU’s social mission).

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Hanna Knuutila, e-mail: hanna.knuutila@ntnu.no.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Merete Thyholdt, e-mail: merete.thyholdt@ntnu.no.

Application deadline: 02.03.2025