PhD Position in Process Systems Engineering for Sustainability

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work in Process Systems Engineering strategies to scale up sustainable emerging technologies

Emerging carbon upcycling technologies will play a crucial role to ensure that future chemical systems are sustainable. Process Systems Engineering (PSE) provides modeling and optimization tools to aid in the development of these technologies and their integration in the current chemical supply chains.

In this PhD project, you will develop novel PSE tools for the modeling and optimization of carbon upcycling technologies with a focus on closing carbon cycles towards a fully circular economy. You will use a wide range of modeling approaches (mechanistic models, commercial simulators, surrogate models), optimization tools and assessment techniques (techno-economic assessment, life cycle assessment, social LCA). The target processes for this study will include waste-to-resource (e.g. chemical recycling of plastics) and emissions to resource (i.e. carbon capture and utilization) technologies. Special emphasis will be given to identify the technical challenges of scaling up upcycling technologies and provide a realistic roadmap for their integration in existing chemical economies. 

Your work will contribute to the transition to sustainable chemical systems and you will have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment and interact with world-class collaborators. 

We are looking for candidates that meet the following criteria:

• Hold a MSc degree (or equivalent) in STEM (preferably Chemical Engineering);
• Previous knowledge on process modeling and design is desirable;
• Ability to work in a team and mentor other students;
• Ability to communicate scientific results;
• Good English communication skills (writing and speaking).

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 .

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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!

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor’s and specialist Master’s programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Ana Somoza-Tornos, email: A.SomozaTornos@tudelft.nl.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15-11-2022 via the application button and upload:

• A motivation letter (max 1 page)
• Your curriculum vitae
• Your BSc and MSc academic records (including courses and grades)
• The names and contact details of two references
• Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/CAE)

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

The available position will be filled as soon as possible (i.e. once a suitable candidate is found). This means that the selection of candidates will already start before the application deadline

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work in Process Systems Engineering strategies to scale up sustainable emerging technologies

Emerging carbon upcycling technologies will play a crucial role to ensure that future chemical systems are sustainable. Process Systems Engineering (PSE) provides modeling and optimization tools to aid in the development of these technologies and their integration in the current chemical supply chains.

In this PhD project, you will develop novel PSE tools for the modeling and optimization of carbon upcycling technologies with a focus on closing carbon cycles towards a fully circular economy. You will use a wide range of modeling approaches (mechanistic models, commercial simulators, surrogate models), optimization tools and assessment techniques (techno-economic assessment, life cycle assessment, social LCA). The target processes for this study will include waste-to-resource (e.g. chemical recycling of plastics) and emissions to resource (i.e. carbon capture and utilization) technologies. Special emphasis will be given to identify the technical challenges of scaling up upcycling technologies and provide a realistic roadmap for their integration in existing chemical economies. 

Your work will contribute to the transition to sustainable chemical systems and you will have the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment and interact with world-class collaborators. 

We are looking for candidates that meet the following criteria:

• Hold a MSc degree (or equivalent) in STEM (preferably Chemical Engineering);
• Previous knowledge on process modeling and design is desirable;
• Ability to work in a team and mentor other students;
• Ability to communicate scientific results;
• Good English communication skills (writing and speaking).

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 .

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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!

With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor’s and specialist Master’s programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Ana Somoza-Tornos, email: A.SomozaTornos@tudelft.nl.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15-11-2022 via the application button and upload:

• A motivation letter (max 1 page)
• Your curriculum vitae
• Your BSc and MSc academic records (including courses and grades)
• The names and contact details of two references
• Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/CAE)

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

The available position will be filled as soon as possible (i.e. once a suitable candidate is found). This means that the selection of candidates will already start before the application deadline