PhD scholarship in Fire Safety in Biochar Handling and Storage – DTU Chemical Engineering

Biochar produced from pyrolysis of biomass plays a vital role in mitigating global CO2 emissions by replacing fossil carbons in industry and acting as a carbon sink when it is applied as soil improvement in agriculture. In the versatile applications of biochar, fire safety issues rise due to the self-heating, self-ignition, and dust explosion risks of biochar. This PhD project is aimed at advancing fundamental understandings as well as proposing and evaluating strategies to improve fire safety in handling and storage of biochar.

We are looking for a highly motivated and dedicated PhD student who enjoys working on experimentation and performing interdisciplinary research. The PhD project is part of a larger project dealing with environmental issues related to the production and use of biochar, which includes several partners from academia and industry. The PhD project will be carried out at the CHEC Research Centre in DTU Chemical Engineering. We offer a highly creative, ambitious and supportive work environment. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Develop laboratory-scale setups and/or experimental methods to study self-heating, self-ignition and dust explosion of biochar 
• Investigate experimentally the effect of biochar properties and process conditions on self-heating, self-ignition and dust explosion 
• Explore and examine early detection and prevention methods
• Perform scale-up evaluation of self-heating and self-ignition processes 
• Act as a teaching assistant in bachelor and MSc courses, and co-supervise bachelor and MSc student projects 

We expect you to have:

• A strong foundation in chemical, mechanical, or other relevant engineering disciplines
• Experience in laboratory work, and a practical and hands-on mentality 
• Capability in gaining deep and systematic knowledge in multiple disciplinary research
• Good communication skills in oral and written 
• Ability to work both independently and in a team

Relevant research experience, such as in biochar or combustion and high-temperature processes, is considered as an advantage for the PhD position. 

Moreover, you must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Hao Wu and Senior Researcher Wolfgang Norbert Stelte. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The position is a full-time position and expects to start no later than 1 January 2025. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Hao Wu  and Senior Researcher Wolfgang Norbert Stelte .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 13 September 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at DTU is a leader in innovative teaching and research, built on core technical subjects and engineering scientific disciplines. The teaching and research cover separation processes, reaction engineering, dynamics and process regulation, process and facility planning, unit operations, heat transmission, fluid mechanics and applied thermodynamics. The Department enjoys very close relations with international partners, and especially a wide range of industrial companies.   

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.