PostDoc Position: Development of a novel platform for biological methanation of flue gas CO2

The Department of Biological Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, invites applicants for a 27 months position within the field of Carbon Capture and Utilization focused on the conversion of CO2 to methane.
 

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a 27 month position starting from 1st of July, 2025 or as soon possible.
 

The Research Project

You will be part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Center (CORC) with aim of developing knowledge and technology within the field of Carbon Capture and Utilization. You will here be part of an interdisciplinary center, with experts inside biotechnology, chemistry, and engineering, joint in the effort to solve one of the greatest challenges of this century. For more information on the CO2 Research Center, please visit www.corc.au.dk

By using your expertise in biotechnology or chemical engineering you will be involved in the development of biological power-to-gas technology for producing CO2-neutral natural gas (BioSNG) from renewable energy and CO2 from industrial sources.

Your tasks will be to design and operate novel reactor systems for capture and conversion of CO2 flue gasses, through the process of biomethanation, which uses microbial catalysts (methanogens) for the conversion of H2 and CO2 to CH4.
A background within microbial catalysis, gas-liquid mass transfer principles, or process engineering is therefore an advantage. 
 

Your profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in biological or chemical engineering or similar and have expertise and hands-on experience with the following points:

• Handling of reactor setups (lab- or pilot-scale)
• Operation and maintenance of control systems and sensors
• Hydrogen-based biomethanation reactors
• Capture of CO2 from flue gas
• Gas chromatography
• Excellence in both written and spoken English

You will be working in the research group “Microbial Conversion Technologies” as part of the Dept. of Biological & Chemical Engineering. As a group member you will be expected to be a team player, where you contribute to student co-supervision, teaching and day-to-day work of the group.
The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus C and the Aarhus University Energy Research Facility located at AU Campus Viborg (https://dca.au.dk/en/about-dca/au-foulum).
 

Who we are

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE) has strong research sections in Biotechnology, Environmental and Process Engineering. Industrial impact is at the core of our research and translation of results into solving relevant societal challenges is a highly prioritized part of our work.
 

What we offer

The Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering offers:

• the opportunity to be part of a team developing novel technologies for sustainable fuels and to make a high impact through solving of climate change issues.
• a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and pilot-scale facilities
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national, international and industrial collaborators.
• a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research.
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities.
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

 

Place of work and area of employment

The area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions. The position includes two permanent workplace addresses in Aarhus and the research facility at AU Campus Viborg respectively.
The attendance at each workplace address is by agreement with your immediate supervisor. In Aarhus the place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 10, DK-8000 Aarhus C. At AU Campus Viborg, the address will be Burrehøjvej 43, DK-8830 Tjele.
 

Contact information

For further information please contact: Research Group Leader & Associate Professor Michael Vedel Wegener Kofoed mvk@bce.au.dk. 
 

Deadline

Applications must be received no later than 8th of April, 2025.
 

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.
 

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

If you wish to add a referee after you have submitted your application, you must send this person’s details (name, job title, place of work, and email address) as well as the name of the position you have applied for to: HR.Nattech@au.dk

Formalities and salary range

Technical Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

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.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.