The Energy and Process Systems Engineering (EPSE) Group at ETH Zürich is looking for a doctoral student to design a decision workflow for assigning CO2 capture technologies to emitters. The EPSE group at ETH Zurich, led by Prof. Dr. André Bardow, is dedicated to advancing sustainable energy and chemical process systems. Our research spans from the molecular level to the scale of systems. We develop methods to advance sustainable energy and chemical process systems from the molecular to the scale of the systems. Our work combines process analysis and system modeling to design optimal new technologies and transition pathways simultaneously. To holistically evaluate the environmental impacts of processes and energy systems, we develop predictive methods for Life Cycle Assessment. Our technological focus is thermal energy systems, sustainable carbon feedstock, and CO2 capture, utilization, and storage.
Project background
To achieve Switzerland's net-zero climate target by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced as much as possible across all sectors. However, in certain industries-such as cement production and waste incineration-some emissions are unavoidable. These residual emissions need to be managed, for example, by capturing them at the source and storing them safely (CO2 capture and storage, CCS).
The SWEET ACHIEVE consortium has been selected to study these unavoidable emissions in Switzerland. One of its goals is to develop robust pathways for establishing, operating, and scaling the infrastructure required for CO2 capture, transport, and storage. Available technologies-such as adsorption, absorption, membranes, and mineral looping-differ in cost, environmental impacts, and effectiveness depending on factors like CO2 concentration and plant-specific conditions. This variability creates uncertainty for industry stakeholders when selecting technologies. We will therefore develop a decision-support workflow to identify the most suitable CO2 capture technologies for different types of emitters.
The project will integrate process modeling, techno-economic assessment, and environmental analysis of CO2 capture options while incorporating emitter-specific constraints. The outcome will be a practical workflow to guide the choice of capture technologies tailored to individual plants.
Job description
Your primary task will be to review, harmonize, and adapt models of CO2 capture technologies to the Swiss context, generating estimates of cost, energy demand, and environmental impacts. These models will then be applied to Swiss emitters to capture their specific characteristics and to evaluate the strengths and limitations of different technologies. The results will form the foundation for developing a decision-support workflow for industrial stakeholders. In this role, you will also engage with industry partners to gather practical insights on technology implementation and collaborate with the broader ACHIEVE consortium to position the CCS value chain as a key strategy for achieving Switzerland's net-zero target.
Your role will also involve mentoring and co-supervising student projects and theses. Additionally, you will engage in various group and institute duties and activities. As an integral partof your work, you will publish your results in peer-reviewed journals and present them at international conferences.
Profile
You meet the requirements for a doctoral program at ETH Zurich and have an excellent Master's or diploma in chemical engineering, process engineering, mechanical engineering, energy science & technology, physical chemistry, or a related field. Ideally, you already have experience working computationally, preferably in setting up process models, and techno-economic and environmental assessments. You are interested and able to develop model-based methods for assessing costs and environmental impacts while gaining a solid understanding of complex processes. You are highly motivated to learn and apply modern computational techniques. The ability to work independently and excellent communication and writing skills in English complete your profile.
We offer
We offer a full-time position for the duration of your doctoral studies, starting upon agreement with the earliest starting of 1st of December, 2025. We are providing a supportive environment that fosters professional and personal growth . You will join a dynamic, motivated and interdisciplinary team of researchers with expertise in thermodynamics, process design, energy system optimization, and life cycle assessment, working collaboratively with research and industry partners. You will work in an inspiring, collaborative environment to address critical global challenges. It includes opportunities to engage in group discussions and collaborative efforts spanning from the molecular level to the systems scale, offering insights into diverse methods and approaches.
The PhD position provides access to state-of-the-art computational power enabling impactful research. The position supports the development of critical thinking, data analysis, problem-solving, and project management skills while contributing to the broader academic community through publications and presentations at leading conferences.
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