Postdoc: Pyrolysis–CCUS Modeling & Design Tool

Aarhus University; Denmark; On-site; DKK 520,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University invites applications for a full‑time postdoctoral position in the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering to develop detailed models for pyrolysis plants coupled with CO2 capture (CCUS) and PtX systems, collaborating with ECA Engineering ApS in Aalborg.

You will build a modular simulation framework, validate against experimental data, and contribute to a web‑based user interface, with international collaboration and opportunities to publish in peer‑reviewed journals.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemical/energy engineering or closely related field.
• Experience developing unit operation and flowsheet models for chemical/energy systems.
• Experience with process simulation environments and software architectures.
• Knowledge of biomass pyrolysis and CO2 capture; CCUS/PtX familiarity is advantageous.
• Strong programming and numerical skills; ability to write clean, reusable code.
• Experience with Big Data/databases (SQL) and data-driven workflows.
• Familiarity with ML/AI techniques and uncertainty analysis is beneficial.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to a cross-disciplinary team.
• Excellent English communication, written and spoken.
• Experience validating models with industrial data is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed, first-principles and semi-empirical models for key unit operations in biomass pyrolysis.
• Integrate models into a modular flowsheet within ECA Engineering’s platform for robust performance.
• Extend framework to include CCUS and PtX components for full-chain simulations.
• Design and run systematic simulation campaigns to study feedstock variability and conditions.
• Collaborate with experimental teams and industry partners for calibration and validation.
• Build and validate a carbon removal (CDR) assessment model for varying designs and feedstocks.
• Lead literature reviews on biomass pyrolysis and CCUS/PtX to inform model versions.
• Develop a web-based UI to expose models for external users and scenario analysis.
• Co-author peer-reviewed articles documenting the framework and its applications.
• Participate in meetings with stakeholders and present modelling insights.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Transport phenomena

Process modelling

Programming

Big Data (SQL)

ML/AI techniques

LCA / carbon accounting

Independent working

English communication

Validation with industrial data

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering/related field

Tools

Aspen Plus/HYSYS

gPROMS

Modelica

Python/Matlab frameworks

CAPE-OPEN

Job description

Aarhus University invites applications for a full‑time postdoctoral position in the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering to develop detailed models for pyrolysis plants coupled with CO2 capture (CCUS) and PtX systems, collaborating with ECA Engineering ApS in Aalborg.

You will build a modular simulation framework, validate against experimental data, and contribute to a web‑based user interface, with international collaboration and opportunities to publish in peer‑reviewed journals.