This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

This position offers a benefits package found at Postdoctoral Fellows Benefits.

Location

Work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Department/Faculty

The position is with the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering to work on a MITACS project in collaboration with Enerkem (Advanced Energy Research Facility (AERF) at Edmonton Waste Management Centre (EWMC) Edmonton, Alberta). We are looking for a highly motivated and an experienced MITACS post- doctoral fellow to work and support several interdisciplinary projects focused on the development of renewable intermediates and fuels.

Position

The successful candidate will be passionate about innovation and want to contribute to climate change solutions. The candidate will possess a solid track record of creativity in developing experimental strategies and a demonstrate applied knowledge of catalyst science, gasification, and separation technology.

Preference will be given to candidates with a strong background in chemical engineering, demonstrated experience working with catalysis (zeolite chemistry), and experience in operating high- pressure tubular reactor and knowledge of online analytical quantification techniques.

A solid understanding of kinetics, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, and numerical methods are expected. Experience with catalyst synthesis, characterization, reactor design, experimental design (i.e., factorial experimental design), and experimental precision / execution are desired skills for the position.

The fellowship will be for a two-year appointment, renewable for one additional year, subject to a performance assessment. The position is available immediately until it is filled.

Stipend: 52,500 CAD /year plus benefits as applied under UofA postdoctoral program office.

Duties

• Operating a high pressure fixed bed reactor
• Operating with gaseous mixture including carbon monoxide
• Operating gas chromatograph and trouble shooting
• Commissioning a newly installed GC-MS system
• Synthesizing metal loaded catalyst, a composite with small pore zeolites either using alumina-silicate or silica-alumina-phosphorus framework
• Designing experiments around kinetics data generation and rate model estimation

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering or related fields with a sound understanding and demonstration of applying fundamental scientific and engineering principles to specific reactions that may have been studied during the thesis work or in industrial work carried out by the applicant. The initial appointment must occur within maximum five years from the completion of a doctoral degree;
• 3+ years of relevant R&D or work experience in a pilot plant/ laboratory on clean energy, chemicals, and fuel sector;
• Good understanding of zeolite catalysis, catalyst characterization, catalyst system applications, separation techniques, design and execution of experiments, and comprehensive and precise reporting.
• Clear understanding of bench/pilot reactor system design (plug flow, fluidized bed etc.), fabrication, and
• Develop kinetic and reactor models as well as process integration models for scale-up using Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus and other advanced process modeling tools;
• Understanding technical and economic implications of novel process technologies on industrial processes with cost estimation experience;
• Evidence of scientific accomplishment via peer-reviewed publications;
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team / collaborative environment are required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize work effectively.
• Ability to network and build strong professional relationships
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high volume environment and manage projects.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision