Postdoc position for Multi-scale process modelling

At the CPM chair we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the EU-funded FASTER project, which aims to enable the decentralized production of green ammonia; a crucial molecule at the intersection of the energy and food value chains. Green ammonia can act both as a hydrogen carrier for energy applications and as a fertilizer for agriculture, offering a key solution for Europe's climate and energy transitions.

Conventional ammonia synthesis via the Haber-Bosch process is operated at large scale (over 160 million tons annually worldwide) under high temperatures and pressures, posing scalability and sustainability challenges. FASTER will develop and demonstrate a novel, mild-temperature ammonia synthesis process (TRL4) and assess its performance, techno-economic feasibility, and environmental and social impact. The project aligns closely with the European Green Deal and supports strategic autonomy by fostering collaboration among leading institutions and industry partners across the EU, Switzerland, and the UK.

As part of FASTER, the University of Twente leads the development of new catalytic systems and process models for commercial-scale deployment. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a strong interdisciplinary background and demonstrated experience in:

• Process engineering and systems modeling, particularly multi-scale, multi-physics models to support large-scale process and systems analysis;
• Techno-economic analysis (TEA), including a deep understanding of project financing, cost structures, and risk assessment (e.g., cost of capital, technology maturity, CAPEX/OPEX models);
• Sustainability assessments, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA), with familiarity in relevant policy frameworks and sustainability metrics.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to a transformative European initiative and to work at the forefront of clean energy and sustainable chemical manufacturing.

The work will be carried out in the Catalytic Processes and Materials group within the department of chemical engineering of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Twente (The Netherlands). You are encouraged to visit the different groups here:

• Catalytic Processes and Materials group