FACULTY/DEPARTMENT
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
JOB TYPE
PhD
SCIENTIFIC FIELD
Engineering
HOURS PER WEEK
36-40
SALARY
€ 2.770,00 – € 3.539,00
DESIRED LEVEL OF EDUCATION
University graduate
VACANCY NUMBER
TUD05575
Explore groundbreaking PFAS removal using foam in wastewater treatment. Join TU Delft’s PhD project and shape future environmental solutions.
Job description
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of compounds that have become widespread pollutants in the (aqueous) environment. To prevent further PFAS contamination, the development of cost- and energy-efficient treatment technologies for contaminated waters is crucial.
PFAS, particularly the group of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), are often surface-active molecules that can be removed from water by adsorption to air bubbles and subsequent accumulation in foam, which is exploited in a technology called foam fractionation. However, the foam fractionation process is still relatively energy-intensive and expensive, due to the need for high aeration rates.
This PhD project aims to investigate whether PFAS removal with foam can be integrated into existing wastewater treatment technologies, particularly the activated sludge (AS) process. Aeration is an integral part of AS treatment, and foam formation is often observed when PFAS-contaminated water types are treated. However, the three-phase nature of the foam/sludge process complicates our understanding of the system, and incorporating physicochemical removal of PFAS may negatively affect the biological nutrient removal in the reactor.
This project will combine lab experiments assessing the impact of various process variables on the removal of PFAS and nutrients in a combined system, with full scale monitoring of an existing AS plant where foam removal will be implemented. The project may also include investigations of destructive technologies for handling the PFAS-enriched foam.
Requirements
As a good candidate, you will have the following ‘Need-to-haves’:
- MSc in Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Technology, or a closely related field
- Independent, self-motivated, curiosity-driven mind, open to communicate and collaborate with peers and partners
- A scientific attitude and analytical skills combined with a hands-on mentality
- Laboratory experience proven by lab courses, internships or other previous work
- Excellent spoken and written English; English Proficiency Test IELTS of 7.0 (scores of at least 6.5 in all sections) or TOEFL of 100 (scores of at least 2.1 for all sections).
and hopefully the following ‘Nice-to-haves’:
- Experience in design and/or operation of lab-scale reactors proven by previous practical or research projects
- Experience in analytical chemistry, specifically LC-MS/MS or LC-HRMS
- R, Python, Matlab, or equivalent programming skills
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.
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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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!
Faculty 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.
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Sanne Smith at s.j.smith@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 31 July 2024 via the application button and upload:
- your motivation
- detailed CV
- transcript of records of your BSc & MSc diploma
- contact information of three references
- an example of a scientific text you wrote individually, for example your MSc thesis or a course report (in English)
The interviews are scheduled on August 8th and 9th.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
