PhD Position: Resilient Carbon Dioxide Transport Route Design for Net-Zero Transition in Europe

The Reliability and Risk Engineering Group at ETH Zürich is seeking a Ph.D. student to design carbon dioxide transport routes in Europe, facilitating a transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This Ph.D. position will focus on the techno-economic assessment and optimization of European carbon dioxide transport networks, emphasizing resilient design and risk management. The research aims to contribute to European targets for establishing a carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) industry to mitigate hard-to-abate emissions. This role is part of a Horizon Europe project, requiring collaboration with international experts in CCS, including industrial emitters, technology providers, supply chain operators, and academia.

The Reliability and Risk Engineering Group at ETH Zürich, led by Prof. Dr. Giovanni Sansavini, specializes in risk and reliability assessment and optimization of distributed energy, power systems, and interdependent systems. The group develops models and methods to quantify and address the risk of cascading failures, ensuring a sustainable, safe, and reliable energy supply, and enhancing the resilience of supply chains. Our interdisciplinary profile is complemented by a strong application focus in international projects.

To limit global average temperature rise to below 1.5°C, substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero and below are required. Achieving these reductions necessitates CCS technologies to address point-source emissions, such as those from cement production. Additionally, CCS can aid in carbon dioxide removal, particularly when combined with bioenergy production. However, the geographical mismatch between carbon dioxide sources and sinks demands large-scale transport infrastructure.

This project supports decision-making for the planning and implementation of European cross-border carbon dioxide transport infrastructure, aiming to meet the European Commission's target of capturing and storing 30 Mt of carbon dioxide annually by 2030. The investment decisions for this target encompass multiple dimensions, including techno-economics, environmental, social, and reliability criteria.

This interdisciplinary project aims to accelerate CCS deployment by demonstrating enabling technologies and developing international carbon dioxide networks.

Your tasks will include:

• Techno-economic assessment of regional CCS hubs
• Analysis of trade-offs between costs and sustainability
• Developing methods for robust designs of resilient CCS transport networks

You will develop competencies in techno-economic assessments, modeling, and mathematical optimization of complex networks, as well as reliability and resilience assessment. You will engage with current research questions in the dynamic field of carbon capture and storage as part of a motivated research team and an international consortium.

We offer a full-time Ph.D. position with a targeted start date of January 1, 2025. You will join an interdisciplinary team with extensive experience in modeling and optimizing complex systems, techno-economic analysis, and reliability and resilience assessment. As part of your responsibilities, you will publish your findings in peer-reviewed journals and present them at international conferences.

• A proactive and motivated individual meeting ETH Zurich's requirements, holding a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in chemical, mechanical, process, energy science and technology, physics, mathematics, or a related field
• Strong experience in techno-economic assessment, modeling, optimization, and programming is ideal
• High motivation to learn and apply simulation and optimization techniques in a dynamic environment with other doctoral students and postdocs
• Ability to work independently with excellent communication skills in English (both written and spoken)

ETH Zurich is a family-friendly employer with excellent working conditions. You can expect an exciting work environment, cultural diversity, and attractive benefits.

Working, teaching, and research at ETH Zurich

In line with our values, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture, ensuring equality of opportunity and valuing diversity. We foster a working and learning environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Learn more on our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents in PDF format:

• Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
• Motivational Letter (max. 2 pages)
• Transcript of records and grade statistics
• Contact details of 2 referees

Please submit your application through our online portal by October 14, 2024. Applications sent via email or postal services will not be considered. We will contact you 2-3 weeks after the submission deadline.

For more information about the Reliability and Risk Engineering (RRE) Group, visit our website. For questions regarding the position, contact David Shu at davshu@ethz.ch (no applications).

ETH Zurich is a world-leading university in science and technology, renowned for its excellent education, cutting-edge research, and knowledge transfer into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find ETH Zurich a place that promotes independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, we forge connections worldwide to develop solutions for today's and tomorrow's global challenges.