Job Description

Company Description

Being part of a growing company in the cleantech sector and contributing to the global transition to a circular economy appeals to you? That\xe2\x80\x99s exactly what our employees do every day when they come to work. Enerkem is based on a revolutionary idea: transforming non-recyclable and non-compostable waste into clean fuels and renewable chemicals. Our Canadian-born solution offers an innovative and sustainable alternative to landfilling and incineration while reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

Such an ambitious mission requires people who strive to make a difference. Our employees are the best in their field; they are resilient and passionate contributors who transform challenges into opportunities. Our culture values individual ideas and contributions for the company\xe2\x80\x99s success. It\xe2\x80\x99s a place where you can lead and inspire others within a creative and dynamic team.



Enerkem (www.enerkem.com) is looking for a highly motivated and an experienced MITACS post-doctoral fellow (PDF) to work and support several interdisciplinary projectsfocused on biomass- derived intermediates and renewable chemicals and fuels. The successful candidate will be passionate about innovation and want to contribute to climate change solution. The candidate will possess a solid track record of creativity in developing experimental strategies and a knowledge base on catalyst science, gasification and separation technology. A strong background in chemical engineering with a demonstrated experience working with catalysis (zeolite chemistry) and experience in operating high-pressure tubular reactor and knowledge of online analytical quantification techniques. Preference will be given to candidates demonstrating excellent academic records and achievements. A solid understanding of unit operations, kinetics, heat and mass transfer, experience in factorial experimental design and thermodynamics and numerical methods. Besides, experience with catalyst synthesis, characterization and reactor design and other basic hand tools would be a strength.
The fellowship will be for a two-year appointment, renewable for one additional year, subject to a performance assessment. The position is available immediately until it is filled.

The qualified candidates should meet the following requirements:

• Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering or related fields with a sound understanding and demonstration of applying fundamental scientific and engineering principles to specific reactions that may have been studied during the thesis work or in industrial work carried out by the applicant. The initial appointment must occur within maximum five years from the completion of a doctoral degree;
• 3+ years of relevant R&D or work experience in a pilot plant facility on clean energy, chemicals and fuel sector;
• Good understanding of zeolite catalysis, catalyst characterization and catalyst systems applications, design, and execution/precision/reporting of experiments as well as bench/pilot reactor system design (plug flow, fluidized bed etc.) and fabrication and separation techniques;
• Develop kinetic and reactor models as well as process integration models for scale-up using Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus and other advanced process modeling tools;
• Understanding technical and economic implications of novel process technologies on industrial processes with cost estimation experience;
• Evidence of scientific accomplishment via peer-reviewed publications;
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team / collaborative environment are required.

Location: Advanced Energy Research Facility (AERF) at Edmonton Waste Management Centre (EWMC) Edmonton, Alberta.

Starting Date: Immediately. Stipend: 52,500 CAD /year plus benefits as applied under UofA postdoctoral program office.

The selected candidate will have an opportunity to work directly under both Enerkem (the industrial partner) and the faculty member of University of Alberta under MITACS Accelerate program. The successful candidate will be registered as a PDF at theUniversity of Alberta, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Please visit

https://www.mitacs.ca/accelerate for more information.

To Apply: Please send your resume to Prashant Kumar at pkumar@enerkem.com by September 15, 2023.

Closing date: Position open until filled.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, M\xc3\xa9tis and Inuit; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

Additional Information

Enerkem