PhD student Position in European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, Netherlands

Designation/Position- PhD student

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European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, Netherlands invites application for Phd student position on Water desalination with chemically modified carbon nanotube electrodes project. Candidate with an MSc degree in the field of physics, chemical or mechanical engineering, or an equivalent degree can apply online.

About- Wetsus, European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, is a network university. In Wetsus 22 universities from all over Europe cooperate on a research program which is defined by 105 partners from industry.

Wetsus creates a unique environment and strategic cooperation for development of profitable and sustainable state of the art water treatment technology. The inspiring and multidisciplinary collaboration between companies and research institutes from all over Europe results in innovations that contribute significantly to the solution of the global water problems. Innovation, partnership, joy, cooperation and reliability are the values around which all Wetsus’ activities are organized and performed.

Wetsus offers a 4 year doctoral program to excellent early stage researchers. At the moment 65 PhD students work together in our laboratory in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

Every year around 16 new PhD student positions are available for candidates having an MSc degree in microbiology, chemistry, physics, bio-technology, chemical engineering, electronics, mechanical engineering or related disciplines.

Research/Job area– Physics, chemical or mechanical engineering

Project Title- Water desalination with chemically modified carbon nanotube electrodes

Location- European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, Netherlands

Eligibility/Qualification- We are looking for a candidate with an MSc degree in the field of physics, chemical or mechanical engineering, or an equivalent degree. A background in environmental science or electrochemistry is not required.

Research group is looking for a candidate, who

  • is interested in doing scientific research, with a strong wish to figure out in detail how things work;
  • can communicate their results in writing, presentations and discussions;
  • has an interest in theoretical modelling of the process at hand;
  • is precise and dedicated to make sure experiments and calculations are as good as needed;
  • is inventive in figuring out new ways to study a system by theory or experiments;
  • likes to write.

Job/Position Description- Capacitive deionization (CDI) is a novel water desalination technology that makes use of porous electrodes to remove ions from water under the action of an electrical voltage difference1. CDI has the potential to specifically remove certain ions from water, either valuable ions, such as lithium, or unwanted ions, such as arsenic.

To selectively remove ions, we will use electrodes made of carbon nanotubes that are chemically treated to selectively remove ions from water 2. We will develop small-scale desalination units that treat water samples containing mixtures of salt, and study the effectiveness of separation. We will develop and use theoretical models to understand the process better.

Research challenge

The challenge is to develop functional CDI units that selectively remove ions using redox-molecules attached to electrodes made of carbon nanotubes, and investigate performance (capacity to remove ions, and rate) and to improve the process by novel cell designs and chemistries. Carbon nanotube material is provided in various formats by a Dutch start-up company and in the project we collaborate with international partners. The aim is to develop scientific knowledge of the CDI process using redox functionalized electrodes, both by experiment and theory. Theory will make use of porous electrode theory, which is an extension of mass transfer theory to include effects of charge and electrical potentials.

  • Doing a PhD in the Netherlands takes 4 year.
  • You earn a salary to make a living.
  • In year 1 the salary is €31.108, in year 4 it is €39.760 before tax.
  • The amount of paid holiday days is 35/year.

The research project is part of the Wetsus research theme Concentrates.

The following companies are part of the theme: Shell (www.shellglobalsolutions.com), Dow (www.dow.com), Aquacare (www.aquacare.nl), PWN (www.pwn.nl) and Evides (www.evides.nl).

Promotor: Prof.dr. Bert van der Wal (Wageningen University, Dept. Environmental Technology)

Wetsus supervisors: Dr. Maarten Biesheuvel

For more information contact maarten.biesheuvel@wetsus.nl

How to Apply- Outstanding and highly motivated candidates are asked to provide the following information:

  • Motivation letter
  • CV specifying:
    • Dctoral study entrance qualification (name master degree)
    • List f internships (subject, name supervisor, grade, etc)
    • Publicatins (if applicable)
    • Scientific interest, cmplementary qualifications, achievements
    • Other relevant infrmation
  • Grades (with explanation on the grading system)
  • Copy of master diploma or letter of university that master diploma will be obtained soon
  • At least one letter of recommendation and contact information of the referee(s)

Use the apply button to send your application. You find the apply button at the end of each project published.

You can only apply once. You are asked to rank your preference for a research project. A maximum of 3 preferences can be given.
The recruitment will proceed based on your first preference. If we think you are more suitable for your 2nd or 3th preference, we will inform you.

Please combine all documents in one single attachment.

It is important to only use this apply button. All other applications will not be processed!

Click Here for Official Website- 

Click Here  to Apply- 

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