Postdoc position: Assessing the potential of low carbon methanol as a sustainable maritime fuel

JOB DESCRIPTION

This position is part of the European research project M2ARE. The M2ARE project develops and demonstrates a novel process for “Maritime Methanol”, a new grade of low-cost green methanol based on biogenic CO2 and renewable H2, to support the needs of the global shipping sector to reduce their CO2 emission. The project's ambition is to deliver by mid 2027 a TRL7 European e-MeOH synthesis process to respond to high demand in maritime fuel, providing “Maritime Methanol” suited specifically for the usage in engines delivering >80% CO2 emission reduction vs. conventional fossil fuels. The project is carried out together with 10 industrial and academic partners. We are looking for an enthusiastic, analytic and proactive postdoc to carry out the techno-economic and life cycle analysis that will serve as basis for scale up and business model definition in the project. Special attention will be placed on the development of learning curves for novel methanol processes and the development and testing of methodologies to explore and communicate uncertainties related to prospective techno-economic and Life Cycle Assesssments. The work will be conducted in close collaboration with the project partners. You will be part of the research group lead by prof Andrea Ramirez on industrial defossilization. The group is part of the Process System Engineering section (department of Chemical Engineering) at TU Delft.

REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for a researcher who:

• has completed a PhD in the field of process system engineering, industrial ecology, chemical engineering or alike
• is interested in multidisciplinary research and wants to contribute to the development of sustainable fuel alternatives
• has strong analytical skills
• has hand-on experience in process modeling and or life cycle assessment
• enjoys working in an interdisciplinary group and is a team player

Very good communication and writing skills in English language are required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

EMPLOYER

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

DEPARTMENT

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof. Andrea Ramirez Ramirez.