Post-Doctoral Researcher – CEEES
Applications are invited for the post of Post-Doctoral Researcher to join the MaREI Centre in University College Cork (UCC), based at Environmental Research Institute, Ellen Hutchins Building, Lee Road, Cork.
Post Duration: 12 Months
Salary: €44,847 – €51,313 per annum, (IUA PD1)
For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr David Wall, Senior Lecturer in Transportation, School of Engineering and Architecture, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 490 2286; Email: ei.ccu@llaw.divad
Please include a one-page perspective on “valorising CO2 in the circular bioeconomy” which you may save as a PDF and upload with other documents when applying online as per the Application Process following.
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to ei.ccu@tnemtiurcer, quoting the job-title and project name.
Position Summary
The Post-Doctoral Researcher will primarily work on the optimisation of circular bioeconomy systems including but not limited to Power to X topics such as: microbial synthesis of methane, methanol, acetic acids, and other chemicals; volatile fatty acid extraction; microbial chain elongation; and anaerobic digestion as a means of valorising renewable electricity and waste materials in a circular bioeconomy approach. Research includes for, but is not limited to, the production of renewable chemicals such as renewable hydrocarbon fuels or renewable volatile fatty acids. Experimental trials using a bespoke bio-methanation rig, coupled with process optimisation, and resource analysis will form part of the work.
Role
Project Title: Circular bioeconomy systems
Research Project information: “Circular bioeconomy systems”
The optimization of circular bioeconomy systems with a focus on Power to X as a means of valorising renewable electricity is required to maximise the potential value of surplus renewable electricity (in a high renewables scenario) and capture additional value associated with biogenic CO2 resulting out of biomethane production resulting out of anaerobic digestion (a key player in the circular economy) in a circular bioeconomy approach.
Renewable electricity may be used to produce hydrogen via water electrolysis, this hydrogen may be used directly as a fuel, or, as a reagent for the synthesis of higher values fuels and chemicals when combined with biogenic CO2. Microbial processes to convert hydrogen and CO2 into compounds including but not limited to methane, acetic acid, and caproic acid are of great interest in maximising the value of surplus renewable electricity. Chain elongation of volatile fatty acids, along with volatile fatty acid extraction and purification is also a vital part of maximising the value of these products in a circular bioeconomy.
Work packages which may be completed as part of this project include:
- Design and commissioning of an experimental microbial process to convert hydrogen and CO2 into methane, acetic acid, or other longer chain carbon compounds.
- Chain elongation of volatile fatty acids.
- Process optimisation.
- An assessment of the potential resource associated with this technology in Ireland.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday, 8th of November 2024.
No late applications will be accepted.
