PhD Position Zeolites for PFAS Removal from Concentrated Waste Streams

Take on the global environmental challenge of effectively removing PFAS from concentrated waste streams using innovative, tailored zeolites.

Job description

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made persistent chemical compounds that negatively affect the environment and public health due to their toxicity at very low concentrations. To remove low concentrations of organic micropollutants (OMPs) such as PFAS from water, nano- or reverse osmosis membrane technologies are increasingly considered and/or implemented by drinking water treatment plants. While such membranes produce safe drinking water, they also produce substantial volumes of highly concentrated waste streams (>5-fold higher PFAS concentrates than the treated water) that cannot be discharged directly without treatment.

High-silica zeolites can selectively remove PFAS and other OMPs from such complex concentrates, and are potentially more effective than conventional activated carbon for PFAS removal when applied to concentrated waste streams. Previous research at TU Delft and elsewhere has already shown fast kinetics and high capacity for OMPs on zeolites in water with competing ions and organic compounds. The next-generation adsorbents we aim to develop should have (i) a higher affinity for OMPs, including short-chain PFAS, and (ii) a lower affinity for salts and organic matter, to minimize competition with OMP removal. In addition, to maximize re-use and longevity these adsorbents should also allow for (iii) frequent and (iv) effective regeneration.

This PhD is embedded in the recently funded NWO Perspektief project BlueVantage, connecting a diverse group of academics and societal stakeholders to inform safe and circular water (re)use across the water sector. You will be supervised by adsorption researchers from TU Delft and Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Our academic partners and our industrial project partner will produce tailored high-silica zeolites for your research.

You will take on the challenge to explore the selectivity of next-generation adsorbents for PFAS and adsorbent regeneration. You will:

• Drive and inform the design and selection of high-silica zeolites based on literature.
• Design experiments to test adsorbent materials with the goal of understanding performance and adsorption mechanisms for the target pollutants.
• Explore laboratory data using statistics and adsorption models to understand underlying trends, explore adsorption mechanisms and predict performance.
• Investigate loading and regeneration in lab experiments and potential pilot installations.
• Hold close feedback loops with industrial and academic partners.

The position is offered by Dr. Kim Lompe and promoter Prof. Dr. Luuk Rietveld at TU Delft and Dr. Gabriel Sigmund at WUR. All three will provide their specific expertise in adsorption and water treatment.

Job requirements

Need-to-have:

• A Master's degree in Water Treatment, Environmental Engineering or related field.
• Laboratory skills for basic water analysis.
• Data analysis skills for statistical analysis and data visualization and willingness to improve these.
• Initiative and engineering spirit to solve problems hands-on.
• Good communication skills to communicate with supervisor and colleagues.
• English Proficiency Test IELTS of 7.0 (scores of at least 6.5 in all sections) or TOEFL of 100 (scores of at least 21 for all sections).

Nice-to-have:

• Experience working with adsorption materials.
• Programming skills (e.g. Python or R).

TU Delft

Delft University of Technology is a top international university combining science, engineering and design.

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & 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. Its research feeds into educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5-year contract includes 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.

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.

TU Delft also offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Additional information

Here is some literature related to the subject:

1. Van den Bergh, M., et al., Highly Selective Removal of Perfluorinated Contaminants by Adsorption on All-Silica Zeolite Beta. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2020. 59(33): p. 14086-14090.
2. van Ruiten, J.A., Concentrating PFAS waste streams generated during drinking water treatment, in Faculty of Civil Engineering, Delft. 2023, TUDelft: Delft. p. 91.
3. Ponge, C.A., et al., Zeolites for Sorption of PFAS from Water. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2024. 63(27): p. 12102-12112.
4. Ponge, C.A., et al., Adsorption of Seven PFAS on Beta Zeolite. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2025. 64(7): p. 4040-4047.