PhD Student Electrochemical Methods for Sustainable Nutrient Recovery

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious PhD student to design, synthesize, and characterize polymer-based electrodes for ion-selective removal and …

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Arbeidsvoorwaarden

Standplaats:: Droevendaalsesteeg, Wageningen, Gelderland
Dienstverband:: Tijdelijk contract / Tijdelijke opdracht
Uren per week:: 38 - 38 uur

Opleidingsniveau:: WO

Functieomschrijving

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious PhD student to design, synthesize, and characterize polymer-based electrodes for ion-selective removal and recovery.

Electro-driven separation processes have the potential to offer a sustainable way to recover high-value materials, like nutrients, from waste water. This project focusses on phosphate and aims to develop tailor-made, ion-selective electrodes that will be integrated with such processes. Polymer-based electrodes are a strong candidate to achieve ion selectivity. One of the challenges is finding a proper balance between selectivity and reversibility, which will be addressed by polymer and surface chemistry. Another challenge is to understand and control ion transport into and out of the electrodes, which will be studied by electrochemical approaches, combined with mixed ion sorption studies. The project is part of the ERC Consolidator program of Dr Louis de Smet and will be carried out in close collaboration with two other PhD students and a postdoctoral researcher.

Functie-eisen

The candidate requires an MSc degree in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / Molecular (Life) Sciences. You should have a solid background in (physical) organic chemistry with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Experience with surface chemistry and/or electrochemistry would be advantageous. Furthermore, you should be a team player with good written and oral communication skills in English.

Conditions

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2222,- in the first year rising up to € 2840,- per month in the fourth year.

We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact Dr Louis de Smet telephone number +31 317481268 and email adres: louis.desmet@wur.nl (more info also on www.louisdesmet.nl)
For more information about the contractual aspects, please contact mrs Marjolijn Steffens, HR advisor, telephone number +31 317489882 , marjolijn.steffens@wur.nl

Interested?
You can apply online at www.wur.nl/en/Jobs/Vacancies.htm. Vacancy is open until Aug 30, but candidate selection will start from July 5 onwards on the basis of all applications received until then.