PhD fellowship/scholarship, Bubbles vs microbes: microbial electrolysis with and without bubbles
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PhD fellowship/scholarship, Bubbles vs microbes: microbial electrolysis with and without bubbles
Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Mechanical and Production Engineering programme. The position is available from 01 April 2026 or later. You can submit your application via the link under 'how to apply'.
Title:
Bubbles vs microbes: microbial electrolysis with and without bubbles
Research area and project description:
The project aim is to study the upscaling potential of microbial electrosynthesis (water electrolysis in the presence of microbes which can convert the dissolved CO2 and Hydrogen into valuable chemicals) as a path towards large scale CO2 utilization. So far, high hydrogen concentration and bubble formation is avoided in such a process, which nevertheless, translates to small current densities and a slow production rate. The project aims to push this limit by studying the effect of hydrogen supersaturation and bubble formation.
The project involves three main activities: an experimental set-up with optical access will be developed to study the limits of hydrogen saturation and potential bubble formation in the presence of microbes. Moreover, interface-resolving CFD simulations will be used to study bubble formation and mass transfer. Furthermore, macro-scale CFD simulations will be used to optimize a bio electrochemical reactor.
The project is a collaboration between the Department of Mechanical & Production and Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering at AU under the umbrella of Novo Nordisk CO2 Research Center.
Project description: For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants to the PhD position must hold a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related fields at the time of starting the position. In addition, the successful candidate should:
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Dept. of Mechanical & Production Engineering, Katrinebjergvej 89, 8200 Aarhus N., Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:
How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.
Application deadline is 02 February 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Preferred starting date is 01 April 2026.
Please note:
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which everyone has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
Title:
Bubbles vs microbes: microbial electrolysis with and without bubbles
Research area and project description:
The project aim is to study the upscaling potential of microbial electrosynthesis (water electrolysis in the presence of microbes which can convert the dissolved CO2 and Hydrogen into valuable chemicals) as a path towards large scale CO2 utilization. So far, high hydrogen concentration and bubble formation is avoided in such a process, which nevertheless, translates to small current densities and a slow production rate. The project aims to push this limit by studying the effect of hydrogen supersaturation and bubble formation.
The project involves three main activities: an experimental set-up with optical access will be developed to study the limits of hydrogen saturation and potential bubble formation in the presence of microbes. Moreover, interface-resolving CFD simulations will be used to study bubble formation and mass transfer. Furthermore, macro-scale CFD simulations will be used to optimize a bio electrochemical reactor.
The project is a collaboration between the Department of Mechanical & Production and Department of Biological & Chemical Engineering at AU under the umbrella of Novo Nordisk CO2 Research Center.
Project description: For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above and upload it as a PDF in the application.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants to the PhD position must hold a master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related fields at the time of starting the position. In addition, the successful candidate should:
- Possess hand on experience in development and use of CFD solvers, for example openFoam.
- Have a thorough understanding of subjects such as fluid dynamics and heat and mass transfer.
- Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Dept. of Mechanical & Production Engineering, Katrinebjergvej 89, 8200 Aarhus N., Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information regarding the PhD position are invited to contact:
- Pourya Forooghi, forooghi@mpe.au.dk (main supervisor)
- Jacopo Catalano, jcatalano@au.dk (co-supervisor)
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide. If answers cannot be found there, please contact:
How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application.
Application deadline is 02 February 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Preferred starting date is 01 April 2026.
Please note:
- Only documents received prior to the application deadline will be evaluated. Thus, documents sent after deadline will not be considered.
- The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
- Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which everyone has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.