Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Chemistry programme. The position is available from August 2024 or later.
Title:
CO2 Sequestration by Carbon Mineralization of Magnesium Silicate Minerals
Research area and project description:
Climate changes are strongly related to CO2 emissions, and new approaches to capture or utilize CO2 is of utmost importance for developing a sustainable society. Nearly all major industries rely on heat or energy generation from combustion plants, releasing CO2 from localized point sources, which contribute with about one-third of all anthropogenic CO2 emissions.
This PhD project concerns capture of CO2 from point sources by carbonation of magnesium-silicate minerals, where CO2 under aqueous or humid conditions is transformed into carbonate ions. These ions will react with the minerals and form carbonate compounds, where CO2 is bound in a solid material on a geological time scale. This approach is suitable for removal of CO2 from exhaust gases from combustion plants, and it will not require an up-concentration of the CO2 level prior to carbonation. Magnesium-silicate minerals are widely available in the Earth’s crust all over the World and therefore, the mineral carbonation approach has a tremendous CO2 removal potential.
The research will include:
The research will be conducted in a research group which focusses on mineral carbonation processes of cement-based materials and utilizes solid-state NMR as a principal characterization tool. Collaboration with an external partner on applications of the carbonated minerals in new cement binders is also foreseen.
For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. When - as here - you apply for a specific project, please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.
Qualifications and specific competences:
The PhD candidate must have a Master’s degree (3-year PhD programme) in chemistry, nanoscience, physics, or materials science. Knowledge about inorganic materials, minerals, microscale characterization tools, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy will be considered as a plus.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Chemistry
Langelandsgade 140, 8000 C Aarhus, Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Professor Jørgen Skibsted, jskib@chem.au.dk
How to apply:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.
When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 March 2024)
Please note:
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
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. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
