1 PhD Scholarship in Sustainable Chemistry for Biomass Utilization in Denmark | Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

A PhD scholarship is available at the Department of Chemistry at the Technical University of Denmark. The scholarship are co-financed by the Danish Council for Independent Research Council - Technology and Production Sciences.

Background and relevance

The exhaustion of fossil resources requires that alternative pathways to fuels and materials are developed. Utilization of biomass is one of the more prominent solutions and the use of sustainable chemical reactions (i.e. catalysis) is suggested. The chemical components of biomass are typically richer in oxygen than the desired products, thus requiring chemical reactions capable of reducing the oxygen content. Although traditional chemical routes involving dehydration, oxidation and hydrogenation have shown some promise more efficient solutions are needed.

Research Plan

We propose to further expand the scope of these processes by carrying out a combined theoretical and experimental investigation known transformations. Then we intend to use computational chemistry to quickly screen hundreds of new catalyst compositions. Finally, we will synthesize and test the most promising of these in silico-generated catalysts to identify those with improved reactivity, thus resulting in more efficient utilization of biomass.

Projects in the group frequently involve experimental physical organic chemistry, such as NMR, competition experiments, isotopic labeling experiment and online monitoring using infrared spectroscopy (ReactIR). These experimental techniques are combined with modern computational modeling (often based on density functional theory) to obtain information about reaction pathways and reactive intermediates that is otherwise difficult to obtain.

Qualifications Candidates should have a master's degree in chemistry or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree. In addition, candidates should be excellent in both spoken and written English.

Experience with organic synthesis, organometallic chemistry or computational chemistry is a necessary requirement.

Salary and appointment terms

The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. Employment can start from December 1st 2014 and will last for a period of 3 years.