Postdoctoral Researcher in Process Modelling, Integration and Techno-Economic Analysis of Reversible Solid Oxide Electrolysis and biomethanation systems

Applications are invited for a two-year postdoctoral position in process systems engineering at the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark.

The successful applicant will contribute to a collaborative research and demonstration project focused on integrating reversible solid oxide electrolysis and fuel-cell operation with biogas production, biological methanation, and heat recovery. The research will combine process simulation, system integration, optimisation, and techno-economic analysis to evaluate flexible operation and support the scale-up of the technology.

Expected start date and duration of employment
This is a two year position from 1st of February 2027 or as soon possible.

Job description
The successful applicant will contribute to a collaborative research and demonstration project focused on integrating reversible solid oxide electrolysis and fuel-cell operation with biogas production, biological methanation, and heat recovery. The advertised position has become available through an Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) Project from the Danish Energy Agency, called DyneMe. The project aims to demonstrate how a 300 kW second-generation Dynelectro electrolyser unit can boost biogas methane production from existing feedstock, maximise energy efficiency and provide grid-balancing capabilities through dynamic electrolyser load and when relevant fuel cell operation. The research will combine process simulation, system integration, optimisation, and techno-economic analysis to evaluate flexible operation.

The main tasks include

• Developing process models, for all core unit operations, in Aspen Plus or comparable process-simulation software.
• Establishing mass and energy balances for electrolysis, fuel-cell operation, anaerobic digestion, biochemical methanation, biogas processing, steam production, and heat recovery.
• Evaluating the interaction between variable hydrogen production and biological hydrogen uptake.
• Identifying and evaluating heat-integration opportunities between the solid oxide system and the biogas facility.
• Simulating representative operating conditions, including part-load operation, hot standby, and SOEC and SOFC operating modes.
• Combining process-model results with time-series or dispatch models to assess operation under variable electricity prices, renewable-electricity availability, biogas production, and heat demand.
• Conducting techno-economic, sensitivity, and uncertainty analyses.
• Participating in regular project meetings and present the modeling activities.

Your profile
Applicants should hold a PhD in chemical engineering, process engineering, energy engineering, biochemical engineering or similar.

The successful candidate is expected to have

• A strong background in process modelling, thermodynamics, mass and energy balances, and chemical or energy-process design.
• Extensive experience with Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, or comparable process-simulation software.
• Experience in developing, analysing and validating models of chemical, biochemical, electrochemical, or energy-conversion processes.
• Experience with process integration, including pinch analysis and heat exchanger network design.
• Documented experience with techno-economic analysis, including sensitivity and uncertainty analysis.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and a relevant programming or numerical-computing environment, such as Python or MATLAB.
• The ability to work independently, structure a complex modelling problem, document assumptions, and deliver results according to project deadlines.
• Documented ability to have scientific results of high quality published in peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Good communication and collaboration skills and an interest in working in an interdisciplinary project involving both academic and industrial partners.

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage

• Dynamic process simulations
• Mathematical optimisation
• Development of surrogate models
• Electrolysis, fuel cells, hydrogen production or other electrochemical processes
• Biogas production, anaerobic digestion, biological methanation

Who we are
Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE) was established on January 1, 2021 in connection with Aarhus University’s reorganization of the engineering area. The department employs around 260 people and is responsible for research and education within the department’s scientific areas. We educate both Bachelors and Masters of Science in Engineering and around 825 students are enrolled in our study programs. Furthermore, we also offer an ambitious PhD program. Our PhD students have high academic ambitions and deliver high-quality results for both the private and the public sectors.

At the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, focus is on living systems, the biology of organisms, efficient production, and transformation of chemicals, materials and energy. We translate knowledge within biotechnology, food technology, environmental technology, chemical engineering, industrial biotechnology, medical biotechnology and electrochemical engineering, and more into new technologies and value-creating solutions that can also be used in the business community.

Many of our research and development activities are based on companies' specific innovation needs or specialist application areas. Close collaboration with the public sector and private businesses ensures that the knowledge and technology generated in the department's research environments has a clear anchoring in reality and benefits the surrounding society. We also provide research-based public sector consultancy and advice on technology in agriculture and food.
BCE has strong research sections in Chemical Process Engineering and Bioprocess Engineering, among others. The successful candidate will be working within the Microbial Conversion Technologies and the Sustainable Process Systems Engineering groups.

What we offer

• the opportunity to be part of a team developing novel technologies for sustainable fuels and make a high impact in solving climate change issues.
• a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment, software and databases
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators
• a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment
The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej DK-8000, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information
For further information, please contact: Assoc. Prof. Michael Vedel Wegener Kofoed, mvk@bce.au.dk, +4593521051.

Deadline
Applications must be received no later than 27th of November.

Application procedure
Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self.

Formalities and salary range
Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.