PhD position on: Understanding and controlling membrane fouling in biorefinery applications

13 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Twente (UT)

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

12 Apr 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Within Membrane Surface Science (MSuS) and Membrane Process Technology (MPT), both part of the Department of Membrane Science & Technology (MST) of the University of Twente, the Netherlands (www.membrane.nl ), we have a vacancy for a PhD student. The vacancy is part of an MSCA network and is in collaboration with Lund University (LU), Sweden.

In the transition away from a fossil fuel-based society, it is critical to come to alternative sources for the chemical building blocks required for our day-to-day products. Biorefinery is a general term for the production and subsequent purification of the required biobased molecules. Unfortunately, the separations in biorefinery can be difficult, due to the high complexity of the streams and their relatively diluted nature. Membrane technology holds great promise as an energy-efficient separation method that can work under the required mild conditions. Unfortunately, membrane fouling is a major challenge and is currently limiting many membrane processes.

As part of the prestigious Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Mem-Fast (Membranes as Enablers for Future Biorefineries), this PhD project will work on understanding and alleviating fouling of membranes in biorefinery applications. This project will study membrane fouling using artificial and real biorefinery streams, combined with state-of-the-art fouling identification methods (Reflectometry, ATR-FTIR, SEM-XPS and OCT) and membrane fouling models. Here we will build up complexity, starting from relatively simple systems and working towards the true complexity of bio-refinery streams. This approach will allow elucidation of fouling mechanisms specific to biorefinery applications, but also contribute to a better understanding of more general consequences of fouling. Based on the created understanding, process conditions and cleaning approaches in biorefinery processes will be optimised to minimise fouling and maximise selectivity.

The PhD student in this project will be part of the Mem-Fast doctoral network, a larger network of universities and companies in Europe, that will host 11 PhD students. The group of students will receive training together via various summer- and winter schools. Moreover, they will establish collaborations across universities and companies. For this project you will be spending part of your project in industry (Alfa-Laval, 4 months) and at our partner university, LU (Sweden, 7 months).

As part of the PhD program, you would have the opportunity to receive further education within the Twente Graduate School. Furthermore, you may actively contribute to the teaching program, e.g. by supervising BSc and MSc assignments and teaching assistance.

It is important to note that for this vacancy there are geographical requirements. The Mem-Fast program follows the general MSCA mobility requirement that the candidate may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call deadline.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• You have a Master’s degree, preferably with distinction (or international equivalent), in Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Material Science or a closely related discipline.
• You are motivated and enthusiastic about working on a more fundamental project within a more applied field of research.
• Preferably you have experience with complexation driven processes, phase separation, membrane science and/or transport phenomena.
• You have the ability to work independently and as a member of a research team, while demonstrating a collaborative attitude.
• You are able to review and engage with interdisciplinary studies and are driven by curiosity. You have excellent analytical skills and an analytical mind-set, excellent communication skills, written as well as spoken.
• English language proficiency is a must and a written test, as well as a scientific presentation, can be part of the interview procedure.

Additional Information
Benefits

• A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 2770,- (first year) to € 3539,- (fourth year).
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.

Additional comments

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before 12-04-2024, and include:

• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position.
• A Curriculum Vitae, including contact information for at least two academic references
• If possible, please add a list of grades of both your BSc and MSc diploma.

Questions regarding these positions can be directed to Prof. Wiebe M. de Vos ([email protected] , phone: +31 53 489 4495).

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/338960/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Twente

Country

Netherlands

City

Enschede

Postal Code

7522NB

Street

Drienerlolaan 5

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/338960/phd-position-on-understanding-and-co…

Contact

City

Enschede

Website

http://www.universiteittwente.nl/

Street

Drienerlolaan 5

Postal Code

7522 NB

STATUS: EXPIRED