Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Category
Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title
Postdoctoral Fellow

Department
Smith, Kevin Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Faculty of Applied Science

Posting End Date
October 27, 2022

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date
Nov 16, 2023

Post-Doctoral Fellow Job Opening on Catalysis and Methanation of Syngas

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) position supervised by Professors Kevin Smith, Naoko Ellis, and Xiaotao Bi. The PDF position will be located at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

Project background:

The overall objective of this project is to evaluate and scale up the forest biomass residues to renewable natural gas technology via performing experiments in a pilot plant consisting of a steam-oxygen two-stage fluidized bed gasifier, prototype syngas clean-up fixed bed reactors, water-gas shift reactor and two-stage methanation reactors to identify the optimal operating conditions of the pilot gasifier and the prototype reactors using a side stream of syngas from the UBC two-stage steam/oxygen pilot gasifier.

A prototype water-gas shift reaction and methanation reaction system with a capacity of 10 L/min syngas conversion capacity has been constructed and commissioned. The unit includes a compression station to accept the syngas produced from the UBC pilot two-stage gasification plant with a biomass feed rate of 25 kg/hr. The water-gas shift reaction and methanation catalysts will be used in the study. Catalysts properties such as specific surface area, pore size and distribution, chemical composition and coke deposition will be characterized using instrument such as BET, XPS, XRD, before and after use, to evaluate the catalyst deactivation. Both water-gas shift and methanation catalyst performance will be evaluated using bottled simulated syngas and a side stream of the real syngas generated from the two-stage biomass gasification plant. Outstanding issues to be addressed by experiments with integrated biomass gasification-methanation pilot-facility include (1) tolerance of catalysts to sulphur compounds in the syngas, (2) tolerance of catalysts to chlorinated compounds and nitrogen compounds in the syngas, (3) tolerance of catalysts to tar content in the syngas, (4) efficiency and longevity of water-gas shift and methanation catalysts with feedstock variation (e.g. sawdust, hog fuels-mixture of bark and sawdust, salt-laden hog fuels).

Qualifications of applicant:

• Have completed a relevant Ph.D. (e.g., in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Environmental Engineering) within the last 5 years.
• Be highly motivated, organized, a good communicator (written and verbal).
• Thrive in a team environment (in a large biomass energy program).
• Experience with clean energy and bioenergy research, development and applications

Responsibilities:

• Evaluate the performance of a new bauxite residue derived Fe catalyst on the biochar support for catalytic removal of gasification tar from syngas produced from the pilot two-stage biomass gasifier.
• Perform systematic experimental work in prototype water-gas shift reactors and methanation reactors using clean syngas to evaluate stability of commercial catalysts in the presence of contaminants from biomass derived syngas.
• Assist in the experimental tests of a pilot-scale fluidized bed biomass gasification and methanation system with teammates.
• Deliver clear and concise written and oral presentation of analysis, and internal/external reports.
• Communicate with stakeholders within UBC and with external industry partners to update progress, receive guidance on new assignments and independently complete recurring assignments.
• Prepare manuscripts for publications and present their work at national/international conferences.

Duration & Salary:

• This full-time PDF position has an initial 1-year appointment, with the potential for renewal, subject to work performance and funding availability.
• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.
• The anticipated start date is as soon as possible.

How to Apply:
Applications, including a CV, copies of two relevant publications, and the names, e-mails
and phone numbers of three referees should be uploaded through this search board. 

Review of applications will begin November 23, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.