DLR-DAAD Postdoctoral Fellowship Nr. 367: Feedstock evaluation for aviation biofuels production

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

Our Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics in Stuttgart offers a

Nr. 367: Feedstock evaluation for aviation biofuels production

What to expect:

Future aviation will require great amounts of renewable fuels to ensure long-term growth while restricting its climate impact due to kerosene combustion. If the fuel was produced from biomass, that had absorbed the same amount of carbon dioxide from air, which will be emitted in the turbine, a calculational carbon neutral flight is possible. Biomass processing towards renewable aviation fuels includes an assembly of multistage processes with different options for enhanced efficiency, carbon usage, by-product handling etc. Renewable biomass itself is a feedstock was varying chemical composition, heating value and processing characteristics.

For different types of biomass the effect of biomass characteristics on the choice of processing pathway, energetic and exergetic efficiency and production costs has to be identified and quantified. This will help the adjustment of biomass processing in current European research projects, where the technical, economic and ecological evaluation for renewable fuels production processes has to be performed.

The main task of this postdoctoral position is to develop a practical scheme for linking characteristic biomass parameters to the optimal choice of processing conditions with maximum efficiency and added value. It is essential that the candidate has previous experience in biomass characterisation and knowledge about biomass processing.

The candidate must be in the position of identifying beneficial biofuels production pathways, its limitations, challenges and opportunities for improvements. Techno economic assessment methods need to be applied and gradually improved towards biomass processing pathways.

What we expect from you:

What we offer:

DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

Further information:

Starting date: As soon as possible
Duration of contract: initially for 12 months with a possible extension of one further year
Type of employment: Full-time

Contact:
Dr. Ralph-Uwe Dietrich
E-Mail: Ralph-Uwe.Dietrich@dlr.de