PHD position on hollow fiber membrane development

This position offers an excellent opportunity to supply to the advancement of membrane technologies in areas such as water purification, healthcare, and decarbonization.

You will be working as a member of the Membranes Science and Technology (MST) cluster, an outstanding research team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of membrane technology. Our cluster is dedicated to solving complex separation problems by harnessing the potential of membranes. These membranes consist of a tailored combination of different materials with unique properties, resulting in exceptional separation characteristics.

As a PhD candidate, you will play a vital role in the development of functionalized hollow fiber membranes using the chemistry in a spinneret approach. The primary objective of this PhD project is to demonstrate novel chemistries and sustainable solvents to create composite hollow fiber membranes with enhanced functionalities. Additionally, we will be applying modeling techniques to generate a fundamental understanding of the underlying processes and to support and guide membrane fabrication experiments.

You will be well integrated in the MST cluster, allowing collaboration and knowledge exchange. As part of the PhD program, you have the opportunity to receive further education within the Twente Graduate School. Furthermore, you may actively contribute in the teaching program, e.g. by supervision of BSc and MSc assignments and teaching assistance.

• You have, or will shortly, acquire a master's degree (or equivalent) preferably with distinction (or international equivalent) in chemical engineering, materials engineering, chemistry or a related field.
• You are creative and have excellent analytical and communication skills.
• You bring good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
• You are proficient in English.
• You have a background in membrane technology, polymer chemistry, or materials synthesis.
• You have prior experience with experimental skills, ideally including membrane fabrication and characterization techniques.
• You have knowledge or proven practical programming experience in Python, and/or MATLAB or are highly motivated to learn such.

• An inspiring multidisciplinary and challenging international and academic environment. The UT offers a fun and dynamic environment with enthusiastic colleagues where collaboration with other researchers is stimulated.
• As a PhD student at UT, you will be appointed to a full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 2.541,- to € 3.247,-.
• 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.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.

About the department

The MST cluster links fundamental research regarding membrane materials and their transport characteristics to relevant application areas.

In the sustainable chemistry of the future, membranes will make a difference: they allow gases and liquids to be separated in a low-energy, efficient way, while generating much smaller waste streams. Membrane technology contributes to cleaner water and sustainable energy production. Membranes have to meet strict requirements, and the development of tailor-made solutions requires not only knowledge of membrane materials but also of their possible application areas. The strength of the MST cluster lies in the long, rich tradition of research in this area at the University of Twente and in the close partnership between about 60 researchers from a variety of different, but collaborative scientific teams. We have a solid knowledge of the entire chain: from the fundamental basics to the technology required to construct these membranes, and to the design of industrial applications.

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.

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