IMDEA Energy is opening a postdoctoral researcher position for the Thermochemical Processes Unit, looking for talented and motivated candidates for mainly the preparation of new catalysts and their testing for the conversion of 2,3-BDO into Jet Fuel-range hydrocarbons for the BIOCTANE project.

In particular, the BIOCTANE project, an European project, aims the “sustainable conversion of organic waste streams from agriculture, industry and municipalities via integration of smart biotechnological and thermochemical conversion steps to market-ready renewable jet-fuel”. Within this project, which is coordinated by IMDEA Energy, the Thermochemical Process Unit is focused on the development of the proof of concept of one-pot reaction processes for the direct conversion of the platform molecules, in particular 2,3-butadienol (2,3-BDO), into a pool of hydrocarbons suitable for the formulation of jet-fuel, via dehydration-oligomerization and hydrogenation reactions.

The requirements are as follows:

Tasks Description:

• Monitoring of the state of the art of the fundamentals and technological advances related to the project.
• Synthesis and characterization of catalysts based on zeolites or oxides modified with functionalities for dehydration, oligomerization or hydrogenation reactions.
• Running reaction tests to assess the activity of catalysts.
• Discussion and critical analysis of the experimental results.
• Dissemination and publication of research results in scientific journals.
• Supervision of undergraduate and graduate staff working in the R&D unit.
• Participation in the reporting activities of the results.

Compulsory Requirements:

• PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or equivalent, completed in the last 6 years.
• Demonstrated experience on at least one of these topics:

             - Synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts and their characterization techniques (e.g.: powder XRD, gas- physisorption, acidity determination, microscopies (TEM, SEM), TGA, etc.)

             - Catalytic tests in fixed-bed reaction systems involving gas and liquid products

Other merits to value:

• Experience in operating pressurized reaction systems and/or involving flammable gases (light HCs or H2).
• Experienced in national and international research projects and collaborations.
• Publications in indexed relevant journals.
• Oral and written communication skills in English.
• Motivation to pursue the goals of the project.

• Adequacy of the candidate's training to the requested profile.
• Work experience related to the profile of the job position.
• Knowledge of English.
• Motivation for accomplishing high-quality research.

• Remuneration: Between 38.000 € – 41.000€ per year, depending upon qualification and expertise.

  *The contract includes all the benefits of the Spanish Public Health and Social Security System.

  Duration of the contract:  Until  April 2026

IMDEA Energía: Móstoles, Madrid.