PhD position: Risk and reliability assessment of future infrastructures for carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCUS) in Zürich

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Risk and Reliability Engineering (RRE) laboratory and the Energy & Process Systems Engineering (EPSE) laboratory, within the Institute of Energy and Process Engineering, are looking for a doctoral student working on the risk, reliability and sustainability assessment of future infrastructures for carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCUS) value chains. The position is funded by a European project, which connects several groups within and outside of ETH Zurich, and focuses on future CCUS infrastructures from various perspectives. The RRE group is headed by Prof. Giovanni Sansavini and generally focuses on the optimization and assessment of complex systems and infrastructures. The EPSE group is headed by Prof. André Bardow and generally focuses on sustainable energy systems and chemical production processes.

Evidence that the anthropogenic alteration of the earth carbon balance is leading to climate change clearly indicates the necessity to find new routes for energy provision to achieve no-carbon emission by 2050 and keep global warming below 1.5 °C. Within this framework, CCUS supply chains are fundamental to achieve net-zero emissions in “hard-to-decarbonize” industrial sectors. However, the potential of CCUS supply chains can be unlocked by designing a cost-competitive and reliable CO2 network that connects the emission sites with the storage and the utilization sites. The design of such infrastructure is a complex problem due to several factors, such as the scale of the system, the technologies involved, and the uncertainty associated with the system’s future evolution.

You will work within a highly interdisciplinary project, which focuses on all aspects of the optimal planning, operation and assessment of the CCUS infrastructures. More specifically, you will focus on (i) developing cutting-edge optimization and assessment algorithms to maximize the reliability of CCUS infrastructures, while minimizing their costs and accounting for sustainability; (ii) characterizing and accounting for the uncertainty associated with the future evolution of CCUS infrastructures; (iii) identifying and overcoming technical barriers for the deployment of large-scale CCUS infrastructures. To this end, you will have access to state-of-the-art computational capabilities, and you will be in contact with experts worldwide.

We are looking for a proactive and highly motivated candidate, with a MSc in a quantitative discipline (such as engineering, physics, or mathematics) from a recognized University. Ideally, you have a strong background in quantitative modeling (risk assessment and optimization are an asset) and programming (Matlab, Python). Professional command of English (both written and spoken) is mandatory. Furthermore, you will need to enjoy working in a dynamic and international environment with other doctoral students and postdocs.

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.