PhD Ceramic Nanofiltration for the Management of Concentrate Streams from Drinking Water Treatment

Motivated by the global water demand challenge? Fascinated by water treatment processes? Passionate about experimental and modeling studies? If so, join our team in the Water Management Department!

Job description

Current membrane-based water treatment systems are essential for producing high-quality drinking water; however, they generate side streams containing elevated levels of emerging contaminants, such as PFAS and other micropollutants. These concentrate streams are often discharged into the environment without adequate treatment, posing risks to public health and ecosystems. This project aims to address this issue with ceramic nanofiltration technology for the safe management of emerging contaminants from concentrate streams. This approach will enhance clean water production and recover valuable resources. The project aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 13 (Climate Action), as well as HORIZON EUROPE Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment).

The candidate will engage in studies focusing on substrate characterization, membrane development, process investigation, and post-processing activities. Key activities of the PhD project will include

• Selecting inorganic substrates for membranes, analyzing porosity, pore size distribution, and permeability;
• Tuning the pore size of ceramic membranes;
• Conducting performance mapping and parametrization tests with our crossflow filtration setup;
• Carrying out instrumental characterization (e.g., SEM, AFM, zeta potential) and fouling analyses;
• Performing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and theoretical models for molecular-level interactions.

Job requirements

We are looking for our new colleague, who is a curiosity-driven person interested in experimental and/or computational studies. Need-to-have requirements are:

• Master’s degree in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, applied physics, materials science and engineering, or related fields of expertise.
• Prior research experience in at least one of the following areas: experimental, computational, or modeling studies.
• Proven background and strong interest in water treatment processes and experimental studies.
• Cooperating with group members from different fields of water management with excellent communication skills, including proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Fundamental knowledge of separation and filtration techniques.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Nice-to-have requirements are:

• Experience in lab- and/or pilot-scale experimental studies in membrane-based filtration. Laboratory experience, demonstrated through courses, internships, etc., is an advantage.
• Experience in instrumental analysis (e.g., SEM, FTIR, and AFM).
• Programming skills (e.g., MATLAB., Python, Julia) are preferable.
• Previous experience in molecular dynamics simulations.

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

Conditions of employment 

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. 

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Begüm Tanis M.B.Tanis@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 29 November 2024 via the application button and upload:

• A motivation letter (maximum one page) covering your interest in this project and relevant experience, your CV, copies of your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with their transcripts (if the documents are not in English or Dutch, English translated versions of the documents are requested). If possible, add a link to your MSc thesis.
• Contact information for two referees we can contact for feedback.