Postdoc of tech-nat-soc oriented integration-synergies between anaerobic digestion and biomass pyrolysis in Denmark
The Department of People and Technology at RUC is involved with development of sustainable solutions, applying experimental approaches and supporting people’s active commitment. The Department is covering human, society, health and IT scientific fields as well as planning, intervention and design inclined fields. The postdoc is anchored in the research group Sustainability Transitions and Environmental Planning. The research group addresses the urgent need for sustainability transitions in response to today’s complex and interconnected ecological, technological, and socio-political crises. The group generates inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge to support an environmentally sustainable development and reduce resource consumption across key societal sectors.
Read more about the research group at https://forskning.ruc.dk/da/organisations/transitions.
The biogas sector in Denmark is large and deeply integrated in both the waste-, energy- and agricultural sectors. Since 2021, the development of a pyrolysis sector has also been picking up speed and there is a growing focus on the integration of pyrolysis and biochar use into modern biogas plants. Currently, there are two industrial biogas plants with pyrolysis plants established or under establishment, and more are expected to come. Many potential synergies between the two technological platforms are under investigation and this postdoc will contribute to develop, validate and analyze potentials for some of these integration-synergies between anaerobic digestion and biomass pyrolysis.
Responsibilities and tasks
The position has broad orientation of this topic spanning activities, perspectives and methods across the spectra of social science, natural science and technical science. The work includes lab scale experimental development and proof-of-concept analysis, mechanistic studies, pilot scale assessment on-site at full scale plants in operation, feasibility analysis and climate impact assessment studies.
The research in the project is funded by Fonden For Retfærdig Omstilling and the relevant tasks are conducted as part of the Pyto-CCUS project managed by Energy Cluster Denmark. In addition to research, the position includes roughly 25% teaching and project supervision primarily in Danish.
The ideal candidate is expected to
- Design and develop new experimental lab-setups as needed to investigate integration-synergies between anaerobic digestion and biomass pyrolysis
- Investigate/ validate/ optimize effects of potential integration-synergies in the lab and field, hereunder H2S adsorption on biochar and the effect of biochar on anaerobic digestion processes
- Apply knowledge from the lab and field to feasibility studies and climate impact assessment studies, including relevant aspects of economy, regulation, planning and quantitative sustainability assessment methodology
- Document and disseminate findings in project meetings, conferences, reports and scientific papers
- Contribute to course teaching and project supervision at the RUC based educations Humtek (Danish), Sustainable Transition (Danish) and Natural Science (Danish and English)
Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent within technical- and natural science investigations of anaerobic digestion and biomass pyrolysis and have proof of substantial teaching experience. Qualifications within the following scientific areas are required:
- Technical science investigations of anaerobic digestion- and pyrolysis processes including development of new experimental setups and lab scale processes simulating industrial scale plants, determination of energy- and mass balances and coding of systems for data acquisition and -logging
- Natural science investigations of biochemical methane potentials and gas adsorption on biochar and active carbon substrates, as well as experience with determination of proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, elemental analysis, higher heating value etc.
- Social science investigations of technological impact- and deployment potentials taking into account biomass availability, economic costs and benefits, regulatory barriers etc.
- Experience in collaborating with experts and practitioners in industry and project consortia and conducting research under externally funded research projects
- Substantial teaching- and project supervision experience within topics related to sustainable transition and environmental planning across both the technical-, natural, and social sciences.
The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills, be visible and involved in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.
Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates consideration will be given to;
- scientific production and research prospective,
- the ability to promote and utilize research results,
- experience in teaching and education
- ability to contribute to development of the department’s internal and external cooperation,
Questions
For further information about the postdoc, please contact Research group leader and project manager of the Pyto-CCUS project at RUC, Tobias Pape Thomsen on tel. (+45) 4674 3869 or mail tpapet@ruc.dk
Terms of employment
The employment is full time, and you will refer to Head of the Institute, Peter Kjær.
The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.
Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.
Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.
The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.
Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.
Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/
Only applications in English or Danish are accepted.
Applications must include:
1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Documentation of education
4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)
5. A complete list of publications
6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment
If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here)
Please submit your application no later than 2 October 2025.
Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.
Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Please note in your application that you found the job at Jobindex
