Job description
In our research group Membrane Materials and Processes we have the following position available:
1 postdoc on: Electro-osmotic drying of diluted biomass streams
This project is part of a large Dutch academic-industrial research program entitled ELECTRIFIED. Its aims is to develop key enabling technologies and consists of multiple PhD and PD research projects. The main objective of this ELECTRIFIED research program is to develop and explore electrically driven dewatering technologies for the food and biobased industry.
Drying alone represents almost 25% of all energy used in the processing industry. Sustainable food and biobased processing can only be realized by replacing our current evaporative dewatering processes by processes using more effective driving forces such as electricity. ELECTRIFIED uses such electric driving forces to extract water from biomaterials. This is done by making use of a combination of molecularly designed electroresponsive hydrogels, well-controlled electro-osmosis and electrohydrodynamic drying in dilute, semi solid and solid regimes.
Details of the PD-project (3 years)
The PD enrolled at the TU/e has to design and construct a bench scale system for the semi solid drying regime that is based on the findings and input provided by the other academic partners. The work is conducted in close cooperation with the industrial partners in this project. The constructed system should be scalable and will be benchmarked against the current state of the art drying techniques. Finally, the technology is evaluated on location at the industrial partners and compared with current drying technology, also taking into account the quality of the product obtained.
Membrane Materials and Processes at Eindhoven University of Technology
The research will be conducted at the research group Membrane Materials and Processes (MM/P) part of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the TU/e (The Netherlands).
The research group MM/P focuses on the design, development, characterization and application of polymer membranes to control mass transport in sustainable processes. The research combines and integrates materials chemistry, materials engineering and process technology. Application areas are water and energy, with a strong focus on the recovery and reuse of resources, the valorization of waste streams and energy efficiency. ‘Closing cycles’ and ‘value from waste’ are leading themes in the research program. Next to fundamental academic research, application-oriented research in close collaboration with the industry is stimulated.
The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.
Job requirements
- We are looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic researcher
- Preferably, candidates have a strong background and interest in both chemistry and chemical engineering with experience in synthetic chemistry, physical chemistry and materials engineering or mechanical engineering.
- Candidates should have a scientific attitude combined with a hands-on mentality and interest for application-oriented research at industrial partner locations
- Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are valuable properties
- You are a naturally curious person who is eager to learn more and has a strong interest in research.
- Excellent communication skills in English are a prerequisite.
- We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented, social environment.
An interview, a scientific presentation and a writing assignment are part of the selection procedure.
Conditions of employment
- We offer a challenging job in a highly motivated team at a dynamic and ambitious university. You will work with innovative analytic equipment and you will be part of a highly profiled multidisciplinary collaboration where expertise of a variety of disciplines comes together.
- The TU/e is located in one of the smartest regions of the world en part of the European technology hotspot ‘Brainport Eindhoven’; well-known because of many high-tech industries and start-ups. A place to be for talented scientists!
- For this Postdoc position the gross monthly salary in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU), starts with € 3.557,- We offer an one-year contract with the possibility to extend another year or two.
- Besides this the TU/e has holiday- and end-of the year allowances, an excellent package of attractive benefits for employees and a modern sports complex.
- A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
Information and application
More information
Candidates possessing both suitable experience and qualifications are invited to apply.
For information about this position, please contact prof.dr.ir. Kitty Nijmeijer (e-mail: d.c.nijmeijer[at]tue.nl, phone: +31 (0)40 247 28 71).
For information concerning employment conditions, click here or contact ms. P.J. van de Weijer (Sandra), HR-advisor, p.j.v.d.weijer[at]tue.nl
Further information about the research groups is available at www.tue.nl/mmp (Membrane Materials and Processes). More information about Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and the department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry is available at www.tue.nl.
Applications
Please send your application via the apply-now button and upload a motivation letter, curriculum vitae (including contact details of at least two references), a list of BSc and MSc courses and grades.
Review of applications will start as soon as applications are received and will continue until the position has been filled.
You can upload a maximum of 5 documents of up to 2MB each. Only applications that are submitted in this way are taken into account.