PhD position: Re-use of industrial solvent process streams

• Hours38 - 40 hr.

• Salary indication€ 2,541 - € 3,247

• Deadline31 Dec 2022

Many industrial processes produce large amounts of aqueous waste streams, contaminated with, e.g. solvents or other organic components. Treatment of these streams requires substantial amounts of energy and chemicals. Implementation of nanofiltration membranes can lead to significant energy savings. To develop suitable ceramic nanofiltration membranes, a new international project has started in Q2, 2022.

In this project novel, ceramic organic solvent nanofiltration membranes with small pore sizes and high throughputs, as compared to polymeric membranes, will be developed by a novel combination of sol-gel coating and atomic layer deposition (ALD).

The Inorganic Membranes (IM) group and the Integrated Devices and Systems group (IDS) of the University of Twente work close together in this project. A PhD student will work in both groups and also work together with a Postdoc in the Institute Européen des Membranes (IEM, Montpellier, France). IEM is a leading research center in the field of membrane science and related materials and processes.

Potential applicants are encouraged to apply to Dr. Mieke Luiten-Olieman ([email protected]).

Applications should include the following documents:

• A motivation letter describing why you apply for this position, with a description of your research interests (no more than 1 A4).
• Description of your research interests.
• A detailed CV.
• Email addresses of at least two references who are willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

The Inorganic Membrane group is part of the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, which offers advanced characterization and fabrication tools on nanoscale, as well as a stimulating environment with more than 250 PhD students working on various aspects of nanoscience and technology.

The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.