Postdoctoral Position (M/F) in Membrane Technology for CO2 Capture

EURAXESS Ireland; Nancy; Hybrid; EUR 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

CNRS - Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés in Nancy, France, invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral researcher position in membrane-based CO₂ capture within the IMOSYCCA project. The role focuses on integrating MATLAB HFMC models with Aspen Plus, optimizing multi-membrane configurations, and performing techno-economic analyses.

The successful candidate will collaborate with Stockholm University and the University of Lorraine, with a mobility period in Sweden, and disseminate

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Experience in independent research and scientific problem-solving.
• Strong background in transport phenomena, mass transfer, reaction engineering, and process design.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Aspen Plus; model integration is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate the MATLAB-based HFMC model with Aspen Plus for process-level simulation.
• Assess multistage and multi-membrane configurations for CO₂/CH₄ separation.
• Perform CFD-informed analysis of membrane module hydrodynamics and pressure drop.
• Conduct process integration and multi-objective optimization of membranes and operating conditions.
• Evaluate CO₂/CH₄ recovery and energy use; perform techno-economic assessment.

Skills

Transport phenomena

Mass transfer

Reaction engineering

Process design

Numerical modelling

CFD modelling

Process optimization

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Aspen Plus

Job description

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés Research Field Engineering Chemistry Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 30 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 5 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The role of the pos-doctoral researcher is to:

• Develop and integrate the existing MATLAB-based HFMC model with Aspen Plus to enable process-level simulation and evaluation.
• Develop and assess multistage and multi-membrane process configurations for CO₂/CH₄ separation.
• Conduct process integration and multi-objective optimization of membrane properties, module geometry, and operating conditions.
• Disseminate research outcomes through scientific publications, conferences, and collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

The expected Activities of the Postdoctoral Researcher are:

• Develop and integrate the existing MATLAB-based HFMC model with Aspen Plus to enable process-level simulation and evaluation.
• Develop and assess multistage and multi-membrane process configurations for CO₂/CH₄ separation.
• Perform CFD-informed analysis of membrane module hydrodynamics, flow distribution, and pressure drop.
• Conduct process integration and multi-objective optimization of membrane properties, module geometry, and operating conditions.
• Evaluate CO₂ and CH₄ recovery and purity, energy consumption, pressure drop, and overall process intensification.
• Perform techno-economic and environmental assessments and benchmark the proposed technology against conventional CO₂ capture processes.
• Investigate potential CO₂ utilization and storage pathways and their implications for overall process performance.
• Disseminate research outcomes through scientific publications, conferences, and collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

The one-year postdoctoral position will be carried out as part of a collaboration between Stockholm University, associated with the SSF-Accelerate programme led by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm (KTH), and the University of Lorraine, within the framework of the PEPR SPLEEN programme. The research will be primarily conducted at the Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (LRGP), a joint research unit of the CNRS and the University of Lorraine. A mobility period in Sweden will also be undertaken at Stockholm University.

The position is part of the IMOSYCCA (Intensified Modular Systems for friendly CO₂ Capture) project (2023–2029), funded through the PEPR SPLEEN (Support innovation to develoP new Largely carbon-frEE iNdustrial processes) programme, led by the French National Research Agency (ANR) as part of the France 2030 programme (ANR-22-PESP-0008).

The Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (LRGP) is a joint research unit of the CNRS and the University of Lorraine (UMR 7274). With more than 300 researchers, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff, LRGP is one of France's leading research laboratories in the field of process engineering. The laboratory is located in the historic centre of Nancy, on the campus of the École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (ENSIC).

The postdoctoral researcher will be affiliated with the Separation, Transfer, Reaction, Energy and Matter (STREAM) team, within the Processes, Intensification, Membranes, Optimization (PRIMO) research axis. The team has recognized expertise in membrane processes, combining skills in membrane material development and implementation with expertise in process modelling, simulation, and optimization.

The skills and requirements for the Postdoctoral Position are :

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in independent research and scientific problem-solving.
• Strong background in transport phenomena, mass transfer, reaction engineering, and process design.
• Expertise in numerical modelling, simulation, and process optimization.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Aspen Plus; experience with process simulation and model integration is highly desirable.
• Experience in membrane technology, gas separation, CO₂ capture, or membrane contactors is an advantage.
• Knowledge of CFD modelling and hydrodynamic analysis of process equipment is desirable.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret complex modelling and experimental data.
• Familiarity with techno-economic and environmental assessment is an advantage.
• Strong scientific writing and communication skills, demonstrated through publications and presentations.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary and international research team.