PhD Position at NTNU in Sustainable Energy Process Systems

Prof. Thomas A. Adams in the Process and Power Program, Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is seeking a PhD Candidate in Sustainable Energy Process Systems. One of the key goals is to identify the most promising technologies for implementation as part of a new Trans-Atlantic Energy Bridge to provide new sources of clean and reliable energy to Europe, and subsequently make recommendations to governments for development based on critical analysis and data. 

The research will require the use of eco-technoeconomic analysis (eTEA) methodologies to evaluate candidate energy production, conversion, storage, and transportation processes and systems to quantify their potential economic, environmental, or sociopolitical value of various technologies in comparison to alternative solutions. Key research elements will include the conceptual design, synthesis, and simulation of candidate commercial scale production and/or storage processes currently at technology readiness level 6 or lower; bottom-up economic analyses to estimate costs as a function of geography and markets; dynamic life cycle assessment (LCA) of commercial supply chain implementation; optimal design under uncertainty techniques, and big-picture assessments made within the context of the triple bottom line of sustainability. The development and application of applicable standards, especially concerning comparative eTEAs, will also play an important role.

Since the scope of the Trans-Atlantic Energy Bridge is broad, the candidate will be expected to narrow their focus to the most promising technologies and suggest innovative new solutions using chemical engineering approaches.

About the position

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

It is also an exciting opportunity to work with an elite team of researchers who are tackling the most relevant and urgent problems in sustainable energy systems. The EPT department contains a diverse range of expertise in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, energy systems engineering, process engineering, industrial ecology, industrial economics, life cycle assessment, and other specialities. We are looking for someone to join our team and contribute their expertise to high-impact research that has the potential to change our world for the better.

Your immediate leader is Prof. Thomas A. Adams II.

To see how this position fits into the research objectives of Prof. Adams’ program, read the article at https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.24787

Required Selection Criteria

  1. You must have a professionally relevant background in in chemical engineering, energy process systems engineering, or a closely related field
  2. Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master’s level
  3. You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master’s degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis.
  4. Master’s students can apply, but the master’s degree must be obtained and documented by the start date of the position.
  5. You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty’s doctoral program (English link |Norwegian link)
  6. Demonstrated expertise in chemical or energy process design concepts and methodologies
  7. Demonstrated expertise in chemical process modelling and simulation software such as Aspen Plus, Aspen Hysys, ProMax, Pro/II, gProms, or similar packages
  8. The research proposal, demonstration of expertise, and quality of the academic works must meet the threshold of excellence.

To apply and for the full posting, find the position on JobbNorge.no at this link:

PhD Candidate in Sustainable Energy Conversion Systems (239536) | NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology (jobbnorge.no)

Two postdoc positions are also posted in the department in Liquid Hydrogen as well as Blue Hydrogen.

Thomas A. Adams II

Professor of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University