Every year, significant amounts of pharmaceutical residues and other micropollutants end up in our wastewater and ultimately also in our surface waters. This poses a risk to public health and the aquatic environment.
Most wastewater treatment plants will need to be expanded with an additional treatment step to remove these (organic) micropollutants. However, it is not clear yet what the most suitable technology is. Especially not when considering that ideally, to prevent more drought and pressure on (drinking) water supplies, in the future part of the clean effluent will have to be reused.
Nanofiltration is a promising technology to remove micropollutants from wastewater. Because of the high micropollutant removal efficiency, nanofiltration offers opportunities to (re)use the permeate. However, also a nanofiltration concentrate stream with high pollutant concentrations is formed. Removing the contaminants from the concentrate is a challenge.
In this project, you will investigate on pilot-scale the influence and process technological implications of recirculating nanofiltration concentrate over the biological treatment sections of a wastewater treatment plant. The hypothesis is that the high micropollutant concentrations in the recirculate lead to an adjustment of the biologically active sludge, so that micropollutants are removed/degraded more quickly and to greater extend. If necessary, an additional technique will be applied to promote micropollutant removal.
The ultimate goal of this project is to answer the question to what extent nanofiltration in combination with concentrate recirculation over the biological processes a suitable additional purification step for wastewater treatment plants is. For that reason, besides doing experimental work at pilot-scale, you will develop a process model of the entire system. This should be used to evaluate the technical and economical feasibility of envisioned process. You will also examine whether and how nanofiltration effluent can be valorised by (re)using it as irrigation, process or even drinking water.
This project is funded via the Top consortium for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) Water Technology. The project is supported by eleven project partners, including four companies (a membrane manufacturer, an equipment manufacturer, an engineering company and a drinking water company), four water boards and three knowledge institutes. You will closely collaborate with these partners.
You will also have the opportunity to do research with the operational pilot-scale installation located at the municipal wastewater treatment plant near the university campus.
Finally, this project will give ample opportunities to collaborate with other PhD students within the MST department, for example by testing newly developed membranes in the pilot installation.
YOUR PROFILE
- You have a Master’s degree, preferably with distinction (or international equivalent), in Chemical Engineering or Technology, Process Technology, Membrane Science or Technology, Water Technology, Environmental Technology or a closely related discipline. You are motivated and enthusiastic about working on a scientific project within a more applied field of research.
- Preferably you have experience with or have a demonstrated interest in (pressure-driven) membrane processes, membrane science and technology 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 an analytical mind-set, and possess excellent communication skills, written as well as spoken. English language proficiency is a must and a written test, as well as a scientific presentation, will be part of the interview procedure.
- You have a hands-on mentality, given the applied nature of this research project and the fact that you will have to work with a pilot-scale installation located at an actual wastewater treatment plant.
OUR OFFER
- A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year.
- You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 2.770 (first year) to € 3.539 (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.
- Up to 328 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a workweek of 40 hours.
- Free access to sports facilities on campus.
- A personal development program within the Twente Graduate School.
- The research has to result in a PhD thesis at the end of the employment period.
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the ‘Apply now’ button latest on 27 January 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 a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references.
The position is available as of March 1, 2024. For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact dr. ir. Sander Haase (a.s.haase@utwente.nl).
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
Department of Membrane Science and Technology (MST)
The MST department, often referred to as Twente Membranes, consists of several chairs focused on the development of new membrane materials and modules, membrane characterization, transport phenomena near and through membrane surfaces and the development of membrane processes and applications (Membrane Process Technology). The MST department has a history in membranes research of more than 50 years, and is internationally recognized as a leading department in membrane science and technology. The department has an impressive track record of over 250 PhD graduates, over 1000 peer-reviewed scientific publications and over 40 granted patents.
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
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.
