PhD Stipend/Integrated PhD Stipend in Hydrogen Sulfide Scavenging

PhD Stipend/Integrated PhD Stipend in Hydrogen Sulfide Scavenging

At Aalborg University (AAU), Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, a PhD stipend/Integrated PhD stipend is available within the PhD study program of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering. The PhD stipend is open for appointment from 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. The stipend is available for 3 or 4 years depending on whether the applicant already holds a Master’s degree. Applicants who hold a Master’s degree can apply for a 3-year position. Applicants who will have finished 4 years of full-time studies before the start of the Integrated PhD stipend, but do not hold a Master’s degree, can apply for a 4 years PhD stipend (Integrated PhD stipend). The Integrated PhD stipend is only open for appointment with starting date 1 September 2025. The workplace is Esbjerg. Do you want to be part of an academia-industry team working on an applied research project aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of oil and gas production? Do you see yourself as a team player who is strong in collaboration? If yes, we look forward to reading your application to our PhD stipend/Integrated PhD stipend.

Jobbeskrivelse
The PhD stipend is announced in connection to the INNO-H2S project funded by the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme(EUDP) and led by Associate Professor Marco Maschietti(AAU). The project consortium comprises a strong team of industry partners(TotalEnergies Denmark, OKEA ASA, SLB, MMS Nordic) and an academic partner(DTU Offshore).

In offshore oil and gas production, hydrogen sulfide(H2S) is removed from produced gas by direct injection of MEA-triazine(H2S scavenger) into the gas stream. This process leads to the generation of a wastewater, which unfortunately contains large amounts of unreacted MEA-triazine and is often discharged into the sea due to lack of feasible alternatives. The INNO-H2S project aims at demonstrating a technology based on nanofiltration for the recovery and re-use of unspent MEA-triazine. The INNO-H2S includes one research-based work package that is focused on understanding the conditions leading to losses of MEA-triazine and fouling due to MEA-triazine degradation by hydrolysis or other side-reactions.

The prospective PhD student will focus on the research-based work package of the INNO-H2S project by designing and executing laboratory experiments aimed at understanding the chemical equilibrium and kinetics of the hydrolysis of MEA-triazine and other side-reactions, and the conditions that may lead to dropout of solids and fouling in the H2S scavenging process. Modelling of chemical reaction kinetics and chemical processes will also be part of the work. The tasks will be carried out in close collaboration with academic researchers and industry specialists that will be working on the associated work packages of the INNO-H2S project.

The prospective PhD student should have strong interest in chemical reaction engineering and industrial chemistry. Furthermore, he/she should be enthusiastic in envisioning the industrial application of the research results. As the position is part of a collaborative industry-academia research project, the candidate should show excellent interpersonal and communication skills and team spirit to solve problems together with different stakeholders.

Requirements:(Social and professional)

• A Master’s degree in chemistry or chemical engineering, or a closely related field(PhD Stipend).
• Enrolment in a Master’s degree in chemistry or chemical engineering, or a closely related field, for individuals who will have finished 4 years of full-time studies at the start of the Integrated PhD stipend and who wish to begin the PhD study in connection with the Master study(Integrated PhD Stipend).
• Documented experience in chemical laboratory work.
• Excellent oral and written English language skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and willingness to interact with both academia and industry partners.
• Interest in working in an interdisciplinary research environment.

You may obtain further information concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend from Associate Ptofessor Marco Maschietti, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, by email: [email protected]

About the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience
At the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience(BIO), our high-level research spans from basic to applied within both natural sciences and engineering. With approx. 150 employees, 75 PhD students, and 775 bachelor and Master’s students at our campuses in Aalborg(main campus) and Esbjerg, we are a vital research and educational institution when it comes to creating new basic knowledge as well as contributing to solving the world’s challenges within biology, chemistry, biotechnology, bioengineering, environmental science, and chemical engineering.

We continuously improve our department as an attractive place of work and study. We offer flexible hours, social activities throughout the year both at the department level and in each Section. We are inclusive and have respect for individuals, communities, and cultures. Our work culture is founded on openness, curiosity, transparency, and involvement. Come join us!

Application:
The application must contain:

• Cover letter of 1 page describing the motivation for applying and an account of the applicant’s background in relation to the announced position.
• Project description of 1-2 pages, which describes the applicant’s initial thoughts and ideas on how to accomplish the objectives of the PhD project, including a brief state-of-the-art analysis and a factual plan of action.
• Diploma and transcript of records.
• Other relevant information.

Integrated PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who has not completed a Master’s degree yet and who wish to begin the PhD study in connection with the Master study. Thus, a prerequisite for acceptance is that the candidate is enrolled in a relevant Master’s programme, such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or similar.

The integrated stipend consists of two parts, A and B. During part A you are enrolled simultaneously in the Master’s programme and in the PhD programme. The stipend consists of two SU-PhD Grants per month(SU=The Danish students’ Grants and Loans Scheme). SU-PhD Grants are paid for a maximum of two years. One SU-PhD grant equals DKK 7086(2025 level). When the Master’s degree has been obtained, you will be employed for two years as a PhD fellow according to the present collective agreement. Part B has a maximum duration of two years.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years.

It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.
When the hiring process is completed, a final rejection will be sent to the applicants who are not considered for the position.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Vigdis Skomager-Bohnfeldt, The Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email:[email protected]

For more information of The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science:www.phd.engineering.aau.dk

The application is only to be submitted online by using the"Apply online" button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Løn og ansættelsesvilkår
Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities. Allocation of SU-PhD Grants are according to the Ministerial Order on the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme part 12, section II.

Ansøgningsfrist
2025-04-14

Ref. nummer
18-25029

Afdeling
Department of Chemistry and Bioscience