Applications are invited for 2-PhD positions and a Postdoc on research projects focusing on High Pressure Combustion Chemistry/Kinetics of alternative fuels

RWTH Aachen University:
With 260 institutes in nine faculties, RWTH Aachen University is one of Europe’s leading institutions for science and research. Currently around 35,800 students are enrolled in over 100 academic programmes. Over 5,000 of them are international students from 120 different countries. Teaching and research at RWTH are closely connected to industry and are characterised by an international, innovative and interdisciplinary approach

The Cluster of Excellence “Tailor Made Fuels from Biomass” (TMFB):
The Cluster of Excellence ”Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass” at RWTH adopts an interdisciplinary approach, through the application of optimized synthesis processes, towards research of new, biomass-based synthetic fuels, in order to verify their potential, with regard to modern combustion technologies, while simultaneously reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. The long-term goal is to determine the optimal combination of fuel components and their production processes, which is based on renewable raw materials and new combustion processes.

The Combustion Chemistry Group (Physico-Chemical Fundamentals of Combustion) within the TMFB:
The emerging research group of Prof. Dr. Ravi Fernandes started in October 2009 and to further strengthen the research activities, we are looking for young and motivated candidates who would be willing to pursue PhD /Postdoctoral research in Chemical kinetics & Diagnostics of combustion processes. Positions are for experimental and theoretical/detailed kinetic modeling projects.
Experimental Facilities include high pressure shock tubes & Rapid Compression Machine (RCM). New spectroscopic detection techniques are currently being developed for the reactors wherein the candidate will be actively involved.
Our current efforts are to develop detailed kinetic models both in ignition as well as soot formation processes in combustion involving both biomass derived and conventional fuels.
Ab-initio calculations of molecular structure integrated with computational kinetic modelling for crucial elementary reactions in combustion will also be a part of the theoretical projects.

Your Profile:
For PhD position:
The applicant must hold a Master’s degree from a recognised foreign University or a German University Diploma either in Physical chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline
Knowledge and experience in chemical-kinetics, spectroscopy is beneficial

For Postdoctoral position:
The applicant must hold a PhD either in Physical chemistry, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline
Experience with quantum chemistry software (Gaussian, MOLPRO, etc.) and strong interest in chemical kinetics and combustion chemistry with focus on combustion modelling are essential. Experience with CHEMKIN, Fortran programming and excellent computer skills are beneficial.

Our Offer:
For both positions, the candidates will be regular employees. Employer offered health benefits are also included. Salary is according to the Public service salary scale TV-L, details depending on the age, status and experience of the candidate.
Applications from female candidates are explicitly welcome. In cases of equal qualification, aptitude and expertise of the applicants, female applicants will be given preference for those salary groups and careers in which female candidates are underrepresented, unless there are preponderant reasons to give preference to another applicant.
Please refer to § 8 Article 6 of the North Rhine-Westphalian Equal Opportunities Act (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz NW)
Applications from eligible disabled persons are welcome.

Application deadline: November 30th 2011

Tentative starting date: January 2012

Contact:
Candidates are encouraged to send their application to: lee@swl.rwth-aachen.de OR fernandes@swl.rwth-aachen.de