PhD position on the production of microwave cement clinker without CO2 emissions into the atmosphere:
Project Description: The Université de Sherbrooke is currently seeking a PhD student to complete the team for this project on the development of a new microwave process for the production of cement without CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.
Under the supervision of Professor William Wilson and in collaboration with the industrial partner Pyrowave, the multidisciplinary team of two postdocs and three PhD students will lead the development of clinkers and a new clinkerization technology to meet the current demand for low carbon building materials.
QUALIFICATIONS – We are looking for student with expertise and/or interest in high temperature processes, laboratory clinker and cement production, microwave reactor development, or industrial scale process design. Candidates may have backgrounds in chemical engineering, physical engineering, materials science and engineering, high temperature processes, civil engineering, metallurgical engineering, or other relevant fields.
BACKGROUND – The objective of the proposed project is to develop a method to produce a Portland cement without releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. The approach is to electrify the process on an industrial scale using microwave technology, which will allow: (a) replacing fossil fuels with renewable electrical energy, and (b) producing a compressed CO2 off-gas for sequestration (in the absence of combustion, the off-gas can be very pure in CO2).
Since the microwave-produced cement will be a Portland cement that meets national standards, it can be quickly adopted by industry. Ultimately, the application of this technology could potentially contribute to the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions from the cement sector, which represents ~3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent annually worldwide.
SKILLS AND KNOW-HOW REQUIRED – You are the person we are looking for if you are positive, creative, self-motivated, organized, and communicative.
You must also have a high level of scientific rigor and impeccable attention to detail. Relevant experience is an advantage, especially experience in: performing laboratory scale experiments at high temperature; producing or characterizing clinkers; performing pyrolysis or high temperature chemistry experiments; applying Design of Experiments (DOE) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP); communicating in English, both written and spoken (knowledge of French is also an advantage).
WHAT WE OFFER – The PhD student will join the Faculty of Engineering of the Universite de Sherbrooke, a leading university in cement and green chemistry research, located in the vibrant city of Sherbrooke (Canada). The researcher will split his time between the Sherbrooke facilities and those of Pyrowave, our industrial partner located near Montreal.
Pyrowave is a pioneer in the electrification of microwave-based chemical processes with a low carbon footprint and has a Center of Excellence for R&D in green chemical processes. Benefits for selected candidates include: a very competitive base salary; a Ph.D. position (4 years); a collaborative project involving time spent at Pyrowave facilities; a flexible schedule with hybrid working options.
HOW TO APPLY – If you feel you qualify, please email your CV, transcripts, a one-page research statement (past and future research interests), and a sample publication (if available) to chantal.brien3@usherbrooke.ca as soon as possible (please include the job number OPR-910 in the subject line of your email).
Interviews will take place as soon as candidates are selected. Please do not call or show up, only successful candidates will be contacted.
Sciences naturelles et genie Génie chimique, Génie civil, Génie électrique et génie électronique
Funding offered Yes