Post-doctoral researcher- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Pathways for Qatar Airways

University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) is the first national applied University in the State of Qatar, offering applied bachelor’s and master’s degrees in addition to certificates and diplomas in various fields. UDST has over 50 programs in the fields of Engineering Technology and Industrial Trades, Business Management, Computing and Information Technology, Health Sciences, Continuing and Professional Education and more.

With more than 700 staff and over 8,000 students, UDST is the destination for top-notch applied and experiential learning. The University is recognized for its student-centred learning and state-of-the-art facilities. Our faculty are committed to delivering pedagogically-sound learning experiences with the incorporation of innovative technological interventions, to further enhance students’ skills and help develop talented graduates that can effectively contribute to a knowledge-based economy and make Qatar’s National Vision 2030 a reality.

The Applied Research, Innovation and Economic Development Directorate invites applications for the position of Post Doctoral Researcher to work on the UDST Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Pathways Project. This project will develop a strategic implementation framework for SAF adoption by Qatar Airways, including local feedstock identification and assessment (e.g., marine microalgae, waste biomass), techno-economic modelling of SAF pathways (HEFA, PtL, hydrothermal liquefaction, DAC-enabled routes such as DACCU), technical and logistical integration into existing airport and airline fuel systems, and policy/regulatory recommendations to support deployment and commercialization.

The selected candidate will play a central role in the SAF Pathways Project and will be responsible for leading and conducting research across several interlinked areas:

• Conduct rigorous assessments of indigenous and regional feedstocks suitable for SAF production (e.g., marine microalgae, waste oils/biomass, industrial by-products), including, if feasible, laboratory-scale characterization and yield estimation.
• Develop and run techno-economic and lifecycle assessment (LCA) models for multiple SAF pathways (bio-based and Power-to-Liquid) that incorporate feedstock supply, conversion technologies, capital and operating costs, carbon credit implications, and scenario-based forecasting.
• Design and support laboratory testing and fuel characterization activities (e.g., GC-FID/ECD analyses, ICP-MS where relevant) to validate fuel properties and emissions performance for candidate SAF blends.
• Evaluate technical integration requirements for SAF storage, blending, transport, and aircraft compatibility within Qatar Airways’ operational context; propose practical integration roadmaps and risk mitigation measures.
• Support stakeholder engagement activities with Qatar Airways, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, QatarEnergy and other partners; prepare technical reports, deliverables and presentations for workshops and decision-makers.
• Contribute to policy and regulatory analysis and prepare recommendations to facilitate SAF adoption in Qatar (e.g., blending targets, incentives, certification pathways aligned with ICAO CORSIA and international best practice).
• Produce high-quality scientific and technical outputs: interim technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and a final feasibility and implementation roadmap tailored to Qatar Airways.
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate researchers / research assistants as needed and coordinate closely with project PIs and external collaborators.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Energy Systems, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Fuels, or closely related disciplines from a reputable university. Successful candidates should possess a proven record of scholarly achievements and demonstrated excellence in research. Ideal technical and professional competencies include:

• Experience with techno-economic modelling and lifecycle assessment (LCA) of fuels and energy systems.
• Practical laboratory experience in biofuel/fuel characterization techniques (e.g., GC-FID/ECD, ICP-MS), and familiarity with experimental protocols for biomass/algae handling and conversion testing.
• Strong computational skills (experience with process simulation tools such as Aspen or equivalent, plus coding/analysis in Python/Matlab/R).
• Knowledge of Power-to-Liquid (PtL), HEFA, hydrothermal liquefaction, and direct air capture (DAC) pathways is highly desirable (DACCU familiarity is an advantage).
• Experience analyzing fuel logistics, storage/blending systems, and compatibility assessments for aviation fuels.
• Proven ability to produce peer-reviewed publications and technical reports.
• Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory; proficiency in Arabic is an advantage.

Preferable research experiences

• Significant experience in biofuels / sustainable aviation fuel research and pilot or demonstration projects, ideally with exposure to feedstock cultivation or pre-processing (e.g., microalgae cultivation, waste biomass handling).
• Demonstrated record of techno-economic assessments for energy/transport projects and lifecycle greenhouse-gas accounting.
• Experience engaging with industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies, or airlines, and translating technical results into actionable policy or business recommendations.
• A good publication record of position-related papers published in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary research team and to carry out independent research to meet project goals.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills, and experience preparing materials for workshops and decision-makers.
• Hands-on experimental skills, strong computational and problem-solving skills, and high analytical ability.
• Experience supervising junior researchers or undergraduate students and coordinating lab activities.

Skills

Proficiency in process modelling, LCA and techno-economic analysis is crucial for assessing SAF pathways and their scalability. This includes the ability to integrate feedstock availability, conversion efficiencies, capital and operating expenditures, and policy incentives into dynamic models. Practical expertise in laboratory fuel characterization (GC-FID/ECD, ICP-MS) and familiarity with pilot-scale biomass/algae processing or synthetic fuel conversion equipment will be important for validating model assumptions and experimental results. Excellent data analysis and scientific writing skills are required to produce project deliverables, publications, and technical recommendations for Qatar Airways and national stakeholders.