Job Information
Organisation/Company: Universitat Politecnica de Cataunya Department: Chemical Engineering Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering; Engineering » Materials engineering; Engineering » Industrial engineering Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions: PhD Positions Application Deadline: 26 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country: Spain Type of Contract: Temporary Job Status: Full-time Hours Per Week: 37 Offer Starting Date: 30 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU…
Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Reference Number: GA-101294365 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
We are looking for a motivated PhD student to develop HARMONI will develop a systemic solution to enable the integration of HTPIs into the green energy grid as intelligent energy hubs, with a primary focus on Cement Plants. This dynamic solution is designed to cope with the fluctuations of the energy inputs by efficiently converting intermittent RES into the stable, high-temperature heat required for cement production. The PhD will be developed within the framework of the PILAR II: GLOBAL CHALLENGES & EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS, CLUSTER 4: DIGITAL, INDUSTRY AND SPACE ((HORIZON-101294365-HARMONI). HARMONI builds upon an existing symbiosis between cement manufaturer, CEMEX, and wastewater treatment provider ADA. Currently, sludge generated by ADA is dried at CEMEX using waste heat, and the dried sludge is subsequently used as fuel in CEMEX’s clinker process, leaving behind an ammonium rich effluent. HARMONI will demonstrate a process to recover NH3 from this effluent as an energy dense renewable carrier. To overcome traditional NH3 combustion challenges, HARMONI will develop technologies for the dynamic on-site cracking of NH3 to produce a tailored ammonia-hydrogen (NH3-H2) fuel blend with superior combustion properties. Novel cracking and combustions solutions will be integrated via a data-driven, AI-enabled site optimiser system. This first of a kind solution will simultaneously decarbonise industrial heat, and couple significant thermal energy demands to the electricity grid, leading to valuable grid balancing services.
The PhD research work will be performed at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) (Barcelona, Spain) within the Department of Chemical Engineering, under the supervision of professors J.L. Cortina, E. Guillen and H. Bazargan. More specifically, the candidate will join the “Resource Recovery and Environmental Management - (R2EM)” research group, which has a vast experience in separation processes and technologies applied to resource recovery schemes.
The PhD thesis will focus on the development and integration of a processing route for NH3 recovery process chain with PFAS-free membrane, defining the requisite pre-treatment of industrial effluent and post-treatment for high-purity product, with the core VMD unit informing a scalable engineering design.
The PhD project will address:
- Preliminary modelling and theoretical evaluation of the proposed processing stages membrane in terms of: ammonia recovery, management of process wastes, water recovery, energy consumption, opex and capex estimations.
- Experimental evaluation (lab scale) of the different technologies (steps in the processing scheme) to achieve the NH3 with the quality to be used in cracking systems.
- Generation of high-quality experimental data for scientific publications, model validation and eventually collaboration with the partners developing digital twins within the project.
- Collaboration in the design and operation of the pilot to be tested on-site, generation of data and technoeconomic analysis of the results.
- Dissemination of the PhD’s results in conferences and high rank international scientific journals.
Where to apply
E-mail: jose.luis.cortina@upc.edu
Requirements
Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Materials engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Industrial engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- An outstanding MSc degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
- Data mining, analysis, visualization and programming skills are highly valued
- Research experience on ion exchange, sorption, membrane processes and/or thermodynamic processes are highly valued
- Interest for technological developments, modelling efforts and building laboratory prototypes
- An integrative and cooperative personality with excellent communication and social skills
- Fluency in English – written and oral
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good
Languages: SPANISH
Level: Good
Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering; Engineering » Materials engineering; Chemistry » Applied chemistry
Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Additional Information
Benefits
the candidate will benefit from a salary comparatively higher than those offered to PhD candidates in Spain. However, salary will be negotiated on individual qualifications and experience basis.
We offer
Contract: Employment contract from Barcelona TECH UPC for a full-time position of postdoc researcher for 36 months, with a monthly salary to be negotiated based on experience).
Preferred starting date: 30 of October 2026.
Eligibility criteria
Essential requirements
MSc degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline.
The degree must qualify the applicant for admission to a doctoral programme at the host university.
Strong academic record.
Demonstrated interest in the research topic.
Good written and spoken English (minimum B2 or equivalent).
Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary and international team.
Selection process
Selection criteria; Applications will be evaluated based on:
Academic excellence
Relevance of previous research experience
Motivation and fit with the project
Interview performance
Additional comments
To apply for the position, kindly provide before the 29th September 2026:
i) Letter of Motivation, in English, covering the following aspects: reasons for applying to the PhD position, skills and abilities that make the applicant a good candidate, motivations to carry out research abroad, professional interests and expectations. Maximum one page.
ii) Curriculum Vitae, in English, detailing academic studies, professional career, publications and other relevant achievements;
iii) Copy of academic qualification(s) – original and translated to English – clearly stating the name of the University issuing the degree, the date of graduation, the final score; copies of official transcripts (marksheets) of academic courses attended to obtain each degree (BSc, MSc or equivalent) - in original language and translated in English – and corresponding Grade Point Average; any other document considered useful (e.g., University Diploma Supplement) to assess the eligibility of the University Degree - in original language and translated in English
iv) Max two Reference Letters, in English, printed on letterhead and duly signed;
v) Copy of the first two and last two pages of the Passport or – for EU citizens - of the Identity Card;
Website for additional job details: https://www.upc.edu
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Multiescale Science and Engineering Center (CCEM)
Country: Spain
State/Province: Catalunya
City: Barcelona
Postal Code: E-08019
Street: Av. Eduard de Maristany
Contact
State/Province: Barcelona
City: Barcelona
Website: https://www.upc.edu/eng
Street: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya C/Jordi Girona, 31
Postal Code: 08034
E-Mail: jose.luis.cortina@upc.edu
Phone: +34934016570
Mobile Phone: +34677965439
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