Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Mangosuthu University of Technology

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:
“Investigation of liquid perfluorocarbons as solvents for flue gas cleaning”
South 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.
This 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 CO₂, N₂, CH4, SOx, Nox and O₂, potentially improving process
efficiency 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 – 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’s urgent need for sustainable energy solutions.
Key performance areas:

• Measure phase equilibrium and transport properties (VLE, solubility, viscosity, density, speed of sound, viscosity, refractive index) of flue gas–perfluorochemical systems.
• Correlate measured data and obtain binary interaction parameters for process simulators.
• Use Aspen Plus/HYSYS to design and evaluate absorption processes, comparing performance with conventional solvents.
• Prepare and publish at least two manuscripts in DHET accredited high impact factor journals per year.
• Draft project proposal and grant applications in the broad research area of chemical thermodynamics.
• Initiate, develop and/or be involved in research collaborations and networking for joint ventures.
• Co-supervision of postgraduate students.

Minimum requirements/Eligibility:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering/Chemistry or relevant field (awarded within the last five years) specializing in chemical thermodynamics of solutions – phase equilibrium studies: measurements and computational/thermodynamic modelling.
• South Africans or permanent residents will be prioritized.
• International Postdoctoral Research Fellows must have a long-term visitor’s visa endorsed for academic activities affiliated with MUT (Section 11(1)(b) Visitors Visa).
• Demonstrated track-record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Has not held full-time permanent academic or professional employment.

Recommendations:

• Experience with thermodynamic modelling and process simulation (Aspen Plus/HYSYS, MATLAB, Python).
• Familiarity with gas absorption, solvent systems, or refrigeration/energy systems is an advantage.

Competencies:

• Ability to conduct independent research, with strong communication, both oral and written, and supervision skills.
• Knowledge of writing for publication.
• Skilled in identifying accredited journals for publications.

Value of the fellowship:

• The value of the first fellowship is R300,000 per annum (tax-exempt), and the fellowship is awarded for a period of one year.
• The 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.

Deadfline:5th September,2025