PhD position Treatment of nanofiltration (NF) concentrates
Enschede, 7500 AE, (Overijssel) , 38 hours per week University of Twente
Job description
"Treatment of nanofiltration (NF) concentrates, produced during polishing of municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent"
Nanofiltration (NF) of the effluent of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a promising technique as it results in a permeate that can be used as a source for (industrial) process water, irrigation water or even for the production of drinking water. A major bottleneck is the NF concentrate that somehow needs to be disposed of, which accounts for the majority of the costs. However, NF concentrates also presents some interesting opportunities because several compounds are present at enhanced concentrations such as phosphorus, heavy metals, multivalent cations and organic micropollutants. This may allow (1) then recovery of phosphorus for direct reuse as a fertilizer, or for the production of higher grade phosphorus products, (2) easier removal of the concentrated heavy metals, (3) recirculation of multivalent cations to the biological reactor stimulating flocculation of the sludge and (4) an improved and/or easier removal of the organic micropollutants. Research aspects that need to be addressed include the development of an innovative WWTP flow scheme based on NF polishing and NF concentrate treatment, technology selection for removal of heavy metals and organic micropollutants, and the effect of NF concentrate recirculation on the primary functions of the WWTP, i.e. flocculation, COD removal and nitrogen removal.
This project will be carried out in close collaboration with the TTIW Wetsus, centre of excellence for sustainable water technology, in Leeuwarden (www.wetsus. nl) in the research theme `Waste Water Technology´. The PhD student will be located at Wetsus, and supervised by staff members of the University of Twente, Wageningen University and Wetsus.
Requirements
University Graduate
Profile
We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic researchers with an MSc degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, material science or a related topic, with adequate experimental and theoretical skills. We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented environment. Fluency in English is a requirement. An interview and a scientific presentation will be part of the selection procedure.
Organization
University of Twente Faculty of Science and Technology
Sharing knowledge, working together, research, innovation. It is all part of the only campus university in the Netherlands: the University of Twente (UT). A university with an international character. We have for example many foreign doctoral students, and master programmes are provided in English. Divided over 5 faculties, we provide more than 50 Bachelor and Master programmes, varying from Applied Physics and Public Administration to Applied Communication Science and Biomedical Technology. In beautiful green surroundings, more than 8000 students and 2700 staff live, work and recreate at the UT. It is also a place where talented people get every opportunity to perform cutting edge research. But as an entrepreneurial university this is not all we do. In `Kennispark´, for example, we work together with the business community, we support our students in setting up their own businesses and participate in many projects in the area of knowledge
development. In brief, a dynamic climate in which to work and study.
The Faculty of Science and Technology (700 faculty members, 1100 students) offers a range of bachelor and master courses (NanoTechnology, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering and Technical Medicine). The faculty´s research is organized in three of the university´s interdisciplinary research institutes: MESA+, BMTI, and IMPACT. These institutes increase the vitality of research by enabling collaboration between programs and disciplines, by providing shared facilities, and by attracting funding for joint projects. They also provide a conduit to industrial partners and help in attracting new faculty.
Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salaryscale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2612
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
Offer
We offer a scientific education on a multidisciplinary subject. The assignment is for 4 years, with a go/no-go assessment at the end of the first year. The candidates are expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through patents (if applicable), publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. Your starting salary will be EUR 2000,- in the first year and up to EUR 2558,- gross per month in the last year.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr.ir. Antoine Kemperman
Telephone number: +31 53 489 2956
E-mail address: a.j.b.kemperman@ utwente.nl
Application
You can apply for this job before 04-01-2009 by sending your application to:
University of Twente
faculty TNW
dr.ir. A. Antoine Kemperman
Postbus 217
7500 AE Enschede
E-mail address: a.j.b.kemperman@ utwente.nl
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