Interdisciplinary Research Center for Refining & Advanced
Chemicals (IRC-RAC)
Post Doc Positions at IRC-RAC
The Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Refining & Advanced Chemicals (IRC-RAC) at
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia is looking
for postdoctoral researchers in the following research areas. The initial duration of the
contract will be 2 years extendable based on performance and project duration:
1. Optimization of refinery and chemical processes: The candidate should have
background in chemical engineering and be familiar with process modeling. The ideal
candidate should have good knowledge and work in mathematical modeling and
programming (including linear, nonlinear, integer, and multi-objective
programming). He should be able to use various optimization software, analyze data
and prepare manuscripts.
2. Thermochemical upgradation of bio-waste (municipal solid waste): The
candidate must have hands-on experience with the catalytic thermochemical
conversion of biomass to chemicals. The candidate is expected to have a good grip on
analytical techniques required for catalyst, biomass, and final product
characterization. Preference will be given to candidates with a Chemical Engineering
or related discipline background. Working experience with pilot-scale
thermochemical setup will be given special consideration.
3. Gas hydrates for separation and hydrate inhibition: The applicant must have
experience in the analysis of gas hydrates using Raman spectroscopy, neutron
scattering and X-ray diffraction. The ideal candidate must have fundamental
background of gas hydrates and its related applications. The candidate is expected to
have a good theoretical background on the mechanism controlling rapid kinetics of
hydrate formation and understanding of the nucleation theory. Preference will be
given to candidates with a Chemical Engineering or Chemistry background. The
applicant should be familiar with working with both Gas Hydrate Autoclaves or
Rocking Cell.
4. Biocatalytic transformations: Highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to work
with a team that uses enzymes to carry out organic transformations (i.e. biocatalysis).
More specifically, the research work includes conducting enzyme-catalyzed organic
transformations and characterization of reaction products using traditional
spectroscopic tools. The team is also involved in enzyme encapsulation to enable the
utilization of more than one enzyme in one pot such as deracemization reactions of
alcohols including dynamic kinetic resolution, stereoinversion, and cyclic
deracemization. Additional areas of expertise, which is considered a plus for the
applicant, includes enzyme kinetics, molecular docking of substrates in the active
sites of enzymes. Biocatalysis is the use of enzymes to replace traditional catalysts to
carry out chemical transformations. This sustainable approach has gained significant
interest in the industrial sector.
5. Heterogeneous Catalysis: The candidate with background in pure heterogeneous
catalysis, dealing with Hydrocarbon cracking, CO2 utilization through hydrogenation
and dry reforming of methane etc. In addition, relevant experience in synthesis,
characterization and analysis of solid catalysts (zeolites, MOFs, mesoporous alumina
and silica, 2D materials etc.) are required.
6. Design and development of adsorbent materials: The candidate with the
background of design and development of adsorbent materials (such as zeolite,
graphene, SAPO, activated carbon, MOFs, etc.) for research work focused on
Separation and Purification of Gases. The ideal candidate must have hands-on
experience with separation and purification of gases based on adsorbents. The
candidate is expected to have a good grip on analytical techniques required for
making extrudates/beads and characterization of adsorbents as well as performance
evaluation of adsorbent materials. Preference will be given to candidates with a
Chemical Engineering or Chemistry or background in related discipline. Working
experience with gas separation & purification technique will be given special
consideration such as operating fixed adsorption column flow system to determine
breakthrough point and separation efficiency of mixture of gases and experience of
handling GCs.
7. Computational Mathematics: Scientific computing and numerical analysis of
mathematical models applied to computational chemistry and material science.
Applied/computational mathematics, computational chemistry, material science or
relevant fields. Required skills include: Conducting cutting-edge research in
computational mathematics/chemistry, with a particular emphasis on phase
transition and interfacial dynamics of multi-phase flows. Developing and
implementing novel computational models and algorithms with computer
programming, pre-and post-processing skills. Excellent and effective communication
skills and ability to work with interdisciplinary team members.
Only candidates who satisfy the below criteria will be considered for the position:
• Recent graduate (2021 or later)
• PhD granting university ranked in top 200 universities as per QS Ranking
• High GPA (preferably > 3.5/4) with no low grades (D or F) in BS, Master or PhD.
• Strong publication record (h index > 5).
Interested candidates should submit a detail CV to crac@kfupm.edu.sa.
Director, IRC for Refining & Advanced Chemicals
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia; Phone: +966 (13) 860-2029
