PhD Position Virus Removal by Ultrafiltration

PhD Position Virus Removal by Ultrafiltration

Challenge: Uncertain virus removal limits ultrafiltration use in drinking water production

Change: Predict virus removal from membrane structure

Impact: Produce safe water without relying on chemicals

Job description

Viruses are difficult to remove with filters because of their small size. Yet, the growing demand for safe, low-chemical water treatment is increasing interest in membrane processes that can effectively retain them. Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes hold great promise. However, their virus removal performance is still assessed through costly, infrequent virus challenge tests. Reliable methods to predict performance based on membrane structure are not yet available.

Your research will investigate how the nanoscale structure of UF membranes affects virus retention and develop practical methods to predict virus removal for safe drinking water production and water reuse. This will support more transparent, efficient, and risk-based decisions when selecting membranes for water treatment.

You will:

• Characterize UF membranes using porosimetric and electron microscopy techniques
• Build a predictive model of virus retention
• Conduct virus-spiking experiments to validate predictions
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners to translate findings into real-world applications
• Present research at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals

You will join the Sanitary Engineering Section of TU Delft’s Department of Water Management, working with the Kavli Nanolab for membrane characterization and the WaterLab for virus challenge testing. You will also collaborate with the membrane manufacturer Pentair X-Flow, the Institut de la Filtration et des Techniques Séparatives (IFTS), and KWR Water Research Institute to help translate virus removal predictions into practical water treatment solutions. Working together with our diverse and dedicated team of fellow PhDs, postdocs, researchers, and professors, you will receive all the support you need to develop your skills and build your career. Your daily supervisor will be Dr Émile Sylvestre. Prof. Doris van Halem will serve as promotor, Dr Begüm Tanis as co-promotor, and Prof. Gertjan Medema as an advisor.

Job requirements

We are looking for a curious and motivated candidate with:

• An MSc degree (or equivalent) in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering – or microbiology with strong interest in quantitative modelling
• Laboratory experience in water treatment, microbiology, or membrane/materials research, plus willingness to learn microbial quantification techniques
• Demonstrated ability to perform quantitative data analysis using tools such as R and Python
• Excellent English communication skills
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary research environment and collaborate with industry partners

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 of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

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 €2872 per month in the first year to €3670 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.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit offers information to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, events are organised to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Émile Sylvestre, via e.sylvestre@tudelft.nl.