Post Doc Position In Encapsulation Of Active Materials For Carbon Capture And Utilization

We are looking for a motivated PDRA candidate to investigate the encapsulation of active materials (liquids or solids) for developing innovative CO2 Capture and Utilization (CCU) processes.

This position is motivated by the fact that many attractive options for CCU solvents suffer from their high viscosity, limiting thus the absorption kinetics. While benchmark alkanolamine-based aqueous liquids suffer from potential environmental impacts from solvent release. 

Encapsulating absorbents within polymer- and/or nanomaterial-based shells represents a promising solution. The successful candidate should elaborate novel solutions to encapsulate innovative solvents (e.g., Deep Eutectic Solvents, Ionic Liquids, Porous Liquids or bio-based solid materials) to enhance not only the chemical and thermal stability of the polymer shell and the filled beads but also the surface area of the functional shell. 

A particular attention will be also placed on the surface properties to tune the selectively of the shell to allow the permeation to specific gases, like the CO2, while prevent permeation of other species, like H2O. 

By following this strategy, encapsulated solvents (sorbents) should keep their own performance by taking advantage of the high surface area of the shell. 

The proposed beads should be both chemically and mechanically stable under typical industrial conditions moving from post-combustion process to direct air capture (DAC) technology. However, there will be a particular focus on DAC.

JOB DESCRIPTION :
The successful candidate will carry out duties to the highest standard and will:
•    Undertake original research of international excellence.
•    Develop research objectives and proposals for own and/or collaborative research projects.
•    Publish papers in leading journals and present research findings at national/international conferences, workshops, and meetings to effectively disseminate the results and contribute to successful research outputs.
•    Communicate the development, progress and results of research activities to the team, Communicate the development, progress and results of research activities to the team to ensure that relevant information and issues in the implementation of projects/experiments are captured in as comprehensive and timely manner as possible..
•    Establish collaborative links with the core scientific personnel in related program areas to gain exposure to and build knowledge on experimental/research activities and approaches, in order to improve conceptual development and industrial implementation.
•    Identify areas of improvement within the research structure using integrated management approaches in pursuit of capacity building/strengthening and the preservation of scientific rigor in research studies.
•    Support if required, the development of proposals for research funding.

CANDIDATE PROFILE :
•    A PhD in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Science, or related subject.
•    Expert in the interfacial phenomena and encapsulation of materials in solid or liquid state.
•    Expert in the materials (polymers and nanomaterials) synthesis and characterization.
•    Good knowledge in Thermodynamics and Fluid Phase Equilibrium are also requested.
•    Knowledge about carbon capture technologies will be preferred 

ASSOCIATED SKILLS :
•    Experience working on a project combining organic materials synthesis, purifications, and their characterization.
•    Proven past experiences on the preparation and characterization of polymers and encapsulated materials.
•    Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
•    Proven ability of working with projects partners to reach their objectives timely.
•    Excellent networking ability and organizational skills.
•    Proven and distinct work experiences in academia and/or industries and/or abroad are highly requested.
•    Ability to generate new ideas, links, and builds upon existing ones to generate unique concepts and solutions.
•    Experience in co-supervision and coordination of masters and PhD level students.
•    Excellent communication in both English and French languages. 
•    Good publication track record in peer-reviewed journals with respect of the career development.
•    Willingness to work on an international team and travel between Morocco and Canada.

TEAM MEMBERS :
•    UM6P – Dr. Johan Jacquemin
•    University Of Waterloo (Waterloo) – Dr. Sushanta Mitra (Mechanical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology), Dr. Milad Kamkar (Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology), Dr. XiaoYu Wu (Mechanical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology)

Program Details:

•    UM6P will be the administrative body for the program, where candidates will apply to the UM6P Postdoctoral Program and will be formally employed as a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) by UM6P.  Candidates will be paid through the UM6P administration for the entire length of the program. 
•    The salary is $2,000 USD/month (approximately $2,700 CAD per month), as guaranteed by UM6P for the entirety of the program.
•    Waterloo co-supervisors may offer additional funding support to the candidates for their residency at Waterloo. The amount and duration of additional funding will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
•    The program duration will normally be three years; during this time the residency will be split between the UM6P and Waterloo campuses. Candidates will spend a maximum total residency of two (2) years at Waterloo and a minimum total residency of one (1) year at UM6P. The details and schedule will be determined upon mutual agreement by the candidate

s and their respective UM6P and Waterloo co-supervisors.  

UM6P.