PhD Position Flow Physics of Reactive Emulsions

PhD Position Flow Physics of Reactive Emulsions

Explore the fundamental flow physics of reactive emulsions to enable novel applications in sustainable chemical conversion.

Job description

A PhD position is available in the Garbin lab on the NWO-Vici project "Flow physics of Pickering emulsion reactors for sustainable chemical conversion". As part of an interdisciplinary team, you will explore the interplay of chemical reaction and transport phenomena in nanoparticle-stabilized emulsions for chemical conversion. The project team already comprises 3 postdocs and 1 PhD candidate with complementary expertise and working in close collaboration. In this PhD project, you will unravel the flow physics of multicomponent emulsions stabilized by nanoparticles (“Pickering emulsions”) and their dynamic evolution during chemical reactions. Despite the proven potential of these complex emulsions for novel sustainable chemical conversions, the effects of mass transfer and convection in combination with chemical reactions remain poorly characterized and understood for these systems, which currently limits their applications. To characterize and control these effects, you will develop and integrate novel experimental approaches including in-situ, real-time visualization of concentration fields and advanced microstructure imaging, combined with microfluidics and multiscale modelling.

The Garbin lab is embedded in the Transport Phenomena section of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the project offers exciting synergies with our international network of academic collaborators, and with two industrial partners active in sustainable chemical conversion.

Job requirements

• We are looking for a PhD candidate interested in fundamental research and with a passion for sustainability. You must have an MSc in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent) by the start of the project.
• Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics and transport phenomena is needed to make progress in the project; good knowledge of reaction engineering is also desirable. The ability to program in Python or a comparable language is required for numerical simulations, image analysis and data processing.
• Prior experience with experimental methods in microscopy and image analysis is considered very valuable. It is important that you have good communication skills and are open to collaboration, as the project requires coordination and synergy with other team members and external partners.
• The ability to write concise technical text is desirable and the potential to learn this skill will be valued.
• A commitment to education is also expected, with diverse opportunities to contribute to the BSc and MSc educational programs in chemical engineering.
• Lastly, an ambition to bridge fundamental research with impact on society will also be highly valued.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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!

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 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 educate innovative 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.

Conditions of employment

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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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 a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Valeria Garbin via v.garbin@tudelft.nl.