PhD Candidate – Biomethane Production from Syngas - Climate & Techno-Economic Analysis
Department of Energy and Technology Doctoral Subject: Technology Project Description: Biomethane is traditionally produced through anaerobic digestion of biodegradable biomass and plays an important role in reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and limiting climate change. To increase biomethane production and meet growing demand in the transport and industrial sectors, there is a need to utilize raw materials that are difficult to convert biologically, such as forest residues. A promising method is biomethane production from syngas generated through thermal gasification of lignocellulose-based biomass. Integrating biomethane production from syngas with conventional anaerobic digestion offers several advantages, including increased gas flow that enables more cost-effective liquefaction of biomethane and improved heat management. Additionally, the supply of external green hydrogen, produced through water electrolysis within the framework of carbon capture and utilization (CCU), can further increase methane production and facilitate upgrading of the produced gas. Duties: We are seeking a motivated PhD candidate who wants to work on the design and evaluation of different system scenarios for biomethane production. The research will involve modeling and simulation from feedstock supply and thermal gasification to biomethane production. The system scenarios will include integration of biomethane production from syngas with conventional biogas plants based on anaerobic digestion as well as supply of external hydrogen. The objective is to evaluate energy balance, climate impact, and techno-economic performance. The candidate is expected to read and critically review scientific literature in English and to publish and present research results in scientific journals and at conferences. The PhD candidate will also participate in doctoral training courses and contribute to departmental activities. The hired person will be part of the national interdisciplinary center of excellence, Biogas Solutions Research Center (BSRC). Within BSRC, new and relevant knowledge is created through collaboration between different scientific disciplines and between researchers and actors from industry and the public sector. BSRC encompasses researchers and support from two universities – Linköping University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) – as well as approximately 50 private and public organizations representing the entire biogas system value chain. The center is also financed with support from the Swedish Energy Agency. Qualifications: Basic eligibility is held by those who have completed a degree at an advanced level, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits at an advanced level, or who have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country (Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7, Section 39). Specific eligibility for admission to doctoral education in the subject of Technology is held by those who have knowledge equivalent to at least 90 higher education credits in courses in technology-relevant subjects. These must include an independent work and at least 30 credits must be at an advanced level. For others, specific eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis with regard to the research task. Furthermore, you must have knowledge of English equivalent to a passing grade in English B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school. Your Background: Required Qualifications - Advanced degree (civil engineer or master's degree) in energy systems, energy technology, or a related field - Documented knowledge and experience in data programming and modeling - Excellent ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing Meritorious Qualifications - Knowledge of biomass conversion techniques - Experience with Python programming - Experience with life cycle assessment (LCA) - Experience with techno-economic analysis - Experience with scientific writing and scientific communication - Knowledge of the Swedish energy system - Ability to communicate in Swedish Great weight will be placed on personal qualities such as good collaboration skills, analytical skills and problem-solving abilities, motivation, and the ability to work independently. About Us: The Department of Energy and Technology at the Center for Soil, Water and Environment (MVM) offers a stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment with both national and international focus. Our bioenergy research focuses on studies of technical solutions and systems related to how resources can be used efficiently and sustainably for the production of fuels, electricity, and heat. The department and the involved researchers have extensive experience in doctoral education and supervision. More information about the department: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/organisation/institutioner/energi-teknik/ Read more about our benefits and what it's like to work at SLU: https://www.slu.se/om-slu/jobba-pa-slu/ Read more about SLU's doctoral education: http://www.slu.se/utbildning/program-kurser/forskarutbildning/ Employment Form and Salary: Employment as a PhD candidate (4-year training program). The salary for the PhD candidate position follows a local collective agreement with fixed salary steps. Extent: 100% Location: Uppsala Start Date: By agreement, but no later than December 2026. Application and Selection: Welcome to submit your application via the application button below by September 10, 2026. Read more about the attachments your application should include at https://www.slu.se/utbildning/studera/forskarutbildning/hur-kan-jag-bli-doktorand/ansokan-och-bilagor/ Selection among eligible applicants will be made based on the attachments submitted with the application and shall be made with regard to the ability to complete the training within the allotted time. Trade Union Contact Persons https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/
Postdoctoral Researcher in Physical Geography with Focus on the Future of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Postdoctoral Researcher in Physical Geography with Focus on the Future of the Greenland Ice Sheet Would you like to work studying mass changes of Greenland's ice sheet, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee relationships and offers secure, attractive working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University. The Department of Earth Sciences is Sweden's most comprehensive academic environment for research and education in geoscience. Here you will find broad expertise that contributes to solutions for important societal challenges. Earth is a dynamic planet that is constantly changing. To understand how our planet works, our researchers seek answers in the field, through laboratory experiments, and advanced models. Our research and education cover a wide range of areas: rocks and minerals, weather and climate, the evolution of life, natural disasters, wind energy and energy, environmental and water engineering, and sustainable development. Our research combines natural sciences and engineering with social sciences and is often interdisciplinary. The department employs over 300 people from more than 30 countries, both in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland. Our six research divisions: Geophysics • Air, Water and Landscape Science • Mineralogy, Petrology and Tectonics • Natural Resources and Sustainable Development • Paleobiology • Wind Energy For more information, see: https://www.uu.se/institution/geovetenskaper The advertised position is within the research program Air, Water and Landscape Science (LUVAL), which brings together research and education in hydrology, meteorology, environmental analysis, and physical geography. Research in physical geography has a main focus on cold environments, with a primary emphasis on glaciological topics, but also other aspects of the cryosphere. Duties The postdoctoral researcher will work on a project funded by the Swedish Space Agency, with the primary aims of creating a new mapping of bedrock topography and ice thickness for the Greenland ice sheet, and simulating the ice sheet's development through 2300. To achieve this, a new inverse modeling-based method will be used that reconstructs the bedrock topography beneath the ice, while also providing a starting point for predictive modeling. Following recent applications on plateaus and valley glaciers in the Arctic and subarctic (see, for example, Frank and Van Pelt, 2024; Van Pelt and Frank, 2025), and an application to all valley glaciers on Earth (Frank et al. 2026), the method will be optimized in this project for use on the Greenland ice sheet, while utilizing the latest high-resolution satellite data products. Ice flow modeling will be conducted using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM), though machine learning alternatives such as the Instructed Glacier Model (IGM) will also be considered. The project will involve close collaboration with a doctoral student in the same research group at Uppsala University as well as collaboration with international colleagues at Oslo University, Mid Sweden University, the Danish Meteorological Institute, University of Liège, University of Fairbanks, and University of Lausanne. The position includes 20% teaching at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, in earth science (physical geography/hydrology) at undergraduate and advanced levels. Qualifications A doctoral degree in glaciology, earth science, computer science, physics, or similar, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a Swedish doctoral degree in the mentioned subject. The degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made. Preference should be given to candidates who completed their degree no more than three years ago. In calculating the three-year period, the final application deadline is the starting point. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within labor organizations, etc. Previous experience with numerical modeling and analysis of the cryosphere, preferably glaciers, is a requirement. The candidate must be able to communicate in spoken and written English at an advanced level, work independently, and work in an international team of researchers with different disciplinary backgrounds. Desirable/Meriting Qualifications Programming skills in Python or similar are valued. Additionally, experience with machine learning and spatial analysis software (e.g., ArcGIS) is meriting. About the Employment The employment is time-limited for 2 years in accordance with central collective agreements. The position is full-time. Start date: November 15, 2026, or by agreement. Work location: Uppsala For information about the position, contact: Ward van Pelt, [email protected] Welcome to apply by September 4, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2399. Uppsala University is a broad research university with strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,500 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces. Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ The employment may be subject to security clearance. Security clearance is a prerequisite for employment; applicants must be approved. We decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance. Applications are received through Uppsala University's recruitment system. Labor representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]