The Faculty of Engineering, through the Research Directorate of Mangosuthu University of Technology is pleased to announce a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for 2024\/2025 on:
\n\u201cInvestigation of liquid perfluorocarbons as solvents for flue gas cleaning\u201d
\nSouth Africa is facing a persistent energy crisis, marked by unreliable electricity supply, aging infrastructure, and a pressing need for cleaner, more efficient power generation solutions. Addressing this challenge requires innovative technologies that can reduce environmental impact while improving energy system efficiency.
\nThis project explores the potential of liquid perfluorochemicals, due their atypical physicochemical properties, as physical solvents for flue gas treatment in next-generation power systems, particularly those using Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology. These solvents offer promising advantages for the selective absorption of key flue gas components such as CO\u2082, N\u2082, CH4, SOx, Nox and O\u2082, potentially improving process
\nefficiency and enabling cleaner emissions management. Despite this potential, phase equilibrium data required for accurate process modelling and design of gas absorption units remain scarce, especially for perfluorocarbons in the C15 \u2013 C20 range. This project aims to fill this critical gap by determining phase equilibrium data for binary systems containing liquid perfluorocarbons and common flue gas constituents, modelling the data and obtained binary interaction parameters which are useful in the design of energyefficient and environmentally responsible separation processes with direct relevance to South Africa\u2019s urgent need for sustainable energy solutions.
\nKey performance areas:<\/p>\n
\tMeasure phase equilibrium and transport properties (VLE, solubility, viscosity, density, speed of sound, viscosity, refractive index) of flue gas\u2013perfluorochemical systems.
\n\tCorrelate measured data and obtain binary interaction parameters for process simulators.
\n\tUse Aspen Plus\/HYSYS to design and evaluate absorption processes, comparing performance with conventional solvents.
\n\tPrepare and publish at least two manuscripts in DHET accredited high impact factor journals per year.
\n\tDraft project proposal and grant applications in the broad research area of chemical thermodynamics.
\n\tInitiate, develop and\/or be involved in research collaborations and networking for joint ventures.
\n\tCo-supervision of postgraduate students.<\/p>\n
Minimum requirements\/Eligibility:<\/p>\n
\tPhD in Chemical Engineering\/Chemistry or relevant field (awarded within the last five years) specializing in chemical thermodynamics of solutions \u2013 phase equilibrium studies: measurements and computational\/thermodynamic modelling.
\n\tSouth Africans or permanent residents will be prioritized.
\n\tInternational Postdoctoral Research Fellows must have a long-term visitor\u2019s visa endorsed for academic activities affiliated with MUT (Section 11(1)(b) Visitors Visa).
\n\tDemonstrated track-record of peer-reviewed publications.
\n\tHas not held full-time permanent academic or professional employment.<\/p>\n
Recommendations:<\/p>\n
\tExperience with thermodynamic modelling and process simulation (Aspen Plus\/HYSYS, MATLAB, Python).
\n\tFamiliarity with gas absorption, solvent systems, or refrigeration\/energy systems is an advantage.<\/p>\n
Competencies:<\/p>\n
\tAbility to conduct independent research, with strong communication, both oral and written, and supervision skills.
\n\tKnowledge of writing for publication.
\n\tSkilled in identifying accredited journals for publications.<\/p>\n
Value of the fellowship:<\/p>\n
\tThe value of the first fellowship is R300,000 per annum (tax-exempt), and the fellowship is awarded for a period of one year.
\n\tThe Fellowship may be renewed for a further one year, subject to satisfactory performance, as attested to by the Host in the first year, and subject to availability of funding.<\/p>\n
Deadfline:5th September,2025<\/p>\n
Apply via company website ( N \/ A ) or<\/p>\n
www.mut.ac.za<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_promoted":"","_job_location":"","_application":"http:\/\/www.mut.ac.za","_company_name":"Mangosuthu University of Technology","_company_website":"http:\/\/N%20\/%20A","_company_tagline":"In 1974 the Chief Minister of KwaZulu, Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, began discussing the idea of a dedicated tertiary educational institution specialising in technical subjects for black students, to meet the urgent and growing demand for expertise in these subjects. Anglo American and De Beers Conso... read morelidated Mines pledged R5 million to start building the initial facility, and later they were joined by Mobil Oil, AECI, the S.A. Sugar Millers\u2019 Association, the Rembrandt and Distillers Corporation, LTA Limited, Sasol and other sponsors, who pledged more funds to establish the Schools for Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Building, and Business and Secretarial Studies. By mid-1977 the project could go ahead. The KwaZulu Cabinet decided to site the Technikon in Umlazi which, while part of KwaZulu, is also part of the Durban Metropolitan area. Given the urgency of the demand for technicians, and the need to build up the institution in an orderly fashion, it was decided to open its doors as soon as possible. Hence preliminary but permanent buildings were designed and built, and teaching began in 1979. The Technikon moved into its main buildings on their completion in September 1981. In November 2007, Mangosuthu Technikon was renamed Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT).","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_filled":0,"_featured":0,"_remote_position":0,"_job_salary":"","_job_salary_currency":"","_job_salary_unit":""},"job_listing_region":[16],"job-types":[12],"class_list":["post-17874","job_listing","type-job_listing","status-expired","hentry","job_listing_region-kwazulu-natal","job-type-full-time"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings\/17874","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/job_listing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17874"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"job_listing_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_region?post=17874"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-types?post=17874"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}