Funded Ph.D. Positions: The Renewable Energy and Chemical Technologies (REACT) Lab at UCLA’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department is inviting applications for two Ph.D. positions in the fields of Direct Air Capture and CO2 Utilization. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects aimed at addressing climate change and advancing sustainable technologies.
Designation: Ph.D. Student
Research Area: Direct Air Capture and CO2 Utilization
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
Eligibility/Qualification: Required Qualifications:
- Passion for scientific research, sustainability, and environmental challenges.
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
- Strong foundation in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and mass transfer.
- Prior research experience.
- Excellent spoken and written English skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and work in a team.
- Ability to quickly learn new equipment operating procedures and/or software.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the capacity to work independently.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Fundamental knowledge/experience in experimental laboratory work, gained through coursework or prior research.
- Previous research experience in numerical simulations/modeling/coding and/or experiments.
- Experience with process simulation software such as ASPEN Plus, ProSim, etc.
- A fundamental understanding of electrochemical principles is a plus.
- A fundamental understanding of techno-economic and/or life-cycle analyses is a plus.
Job Description:
Funded Ph.D. Positions in Direct Air Capture and CO2 Utilization
As a Ph.D. student in the REACT Lab, you will be involved in one of the following research projects:
Direct Air Capture Project: You will work on innovative direct air capture processes, from conceptualization to prototype testing. Your responsibilities will include process optimization, economic analyses, and prototype design and testing. You will conduct experiments, design experimental methodologies, and collect and analyze data.
Carbon Dioxide Utilization Project: Your role will involve exploring the techno-economic feasibility of new carbon dioxide utilization pathways, along with investigating regeneration pathways for carbon dioxide capture media. This includes conducting small-scale experimental proof-of-concept demonstrations. You will also be responsible for conducting experiments, designing experimental methodologies, and collecting and analyzing data.
How to Apply: Interested candidates are encouraged to send their two-page cover letter and CV (not resume) to Prof. Fabian Rosner (fabianrosner@ucla.edu) before applying formally via the UCLA Ph.D. application portal. Please use the subject line “PhD Position UCLA.” Note that meeting all UCLA Ph.D. admission requirements is essential; please check the UCLA website for test requirements.
Last Date for Apply: Applications will be accepted until position filled
About UCLA: UCLA is a world-renowned research university located in Los Angeles, California, USA. The Engineering Department consistently ranks among the top. UCLA was ranked 16th in Engineering & Technology globally in 2023 by Times Higher Education.
About the PI: Prof. Fabian Rosner’s research focuses on innovative research in renewable energy and chemical technologies, including direct air capture and carbon dioxide utilization. His expertise includes computational methods, process design, and techno-economic analyses to identify environmental and economic opportunities for green technologies. For questions, please contact Prof. Fabian Rosner at FabianRosner@ucla.edu.
UCLA Samueli School Of Engineering Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
