We are always looking for bright and motivated PhD students and Postdoctoral researchers. If you are excited about developing advanced catalysts and processes for emerging sustainable technologies, we encourage you to write to us.
PhD candidates:
Prospective students are encouraged to write to us expressing their interest in any of the open project topics or broader research areas (even if no position is currently advertised).
Please note that PhD intake happens as per IITB timeline and procedures. You may apply to our lab through both Department of Chemical Engineering (link), CSIF (link), and IITB-Monash Academy (link).
Postdoc candidates:
We welcome motivated and independent researchers with a strong track record in their PhD, particularly those with backgrounds in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemistry. Prior experience in catalysis and related experimental research is highly desirable.
1. Postdoc/ Project Staff position: Ethylene to Sustainable Aviation Fuel
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher/ project staff with strong experience in thermocatalytic hydrocarbon conversion and analysis of complex liquid hydrocarbon products to work on the development of catalytic routes for conversion of ethylene to SAF-range hydrocarbons.
Desired expertise:
PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Catalysis, or a related field.
Experience in thermal/ thermocatalytic hydrocarbon conversion, such as hydroprocessing, hydrocracking, hydroisomerization, olefin oligomerization, or related processes.
Strong hands-on experience in analysis of complex liquid hydrocarbon mixtures, particularly in the jet fuel/SAF/diesel-kerosene range.
Proficiency in techniques such as GC/GC-MS, simulated distillation, and detailed hydrocarbon/speciation analysis; experience with GC×GC would be highly desirable.
Experience in heterogeneous catalyst development and continuous-flow catalytic reactors.
The researcher will work on ethylene oligomerization and subsequent upgrading to SAF-range hydrocarbons, with particular emphasis on catalyst development, product distribution, and detailed characterization of the resulting liquid fuels.
2. Postdoc/ PhD position: Catalyst and Reactor development for Hydrogen production from Methane Pyrolysis.
We have open positions for one Postdoctoral fellow for this project. The project is funded by MNRE under Indo-EU consortium.
Project Description:
This project focuses on the development of advanced catalysts and reactor systems for methane pyrolysis to produce hydrogen with solid carbon as a co-product, enabling low-carbon hydrogen generation. The research will emphasize catalyst design for high activity, selectivity, and resistance to deactivation, along with the design, fabrication, and operation of reactors for high-temperature methane pyrolysis. The work will involve detailed experimental studies on catalyst development, reaction kinetics, carbon formation behavior, and reactor design, alongside reactor optimization and scale-up considerations for continuous operation.
Required Expertise:
· PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field
· Strong experimental background in high-temperature thermal reactions and reactor design(essential)
· Experience in heterogeneous catalysis and catalyst synthesis/characterization
· Knowledge of reaction kinetics, transport phenomena, and reactor modeling
· Familiarity with methane/ hydrocarbon reforming/ cracking or related processes (preferred)
3. PhD position: Catalyst and process development for Plasma-catalytic conversion of Methane to C2 hydrocarbons.
We have open positions for one PhD student for this project. The project is funded through collaboration with BPCL.
Write to sonali.das@iitb.ac.in with your CV.
Project Description:
The objective of this project is to develop a lab-scale Plasma-Catalytic Reactor system using Non-thermal Plasma (NTP) and novel Catalysts for direct conversion of Methane to C2 hydrocarbons (ethane/ ethylene). Selective conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons is a highly sought after goal, and non-thermal plasma is an emerging technology that can be used to convert methane in one step, at low operating temperature, by using renewable energy sources.
The work will involve the development of a lab-scale plasma-catalytic reactor, synthesis and characterization of novel catalysts to increase plasma-catalytic methane conversion and C2 selectivity, testing of developed catalysts, operating parameter optimization, and process modelling/ techno-economic analysis.
Desired Expertise:
· Research experience in non-thermal (Dielectric Barrier Discharge) plasma systems.
· Experience in experimental catalysis - catalyst synthesis and characterization.
· Experience of working with reactors for gas-phase reactions (thermal catalysis).