EngD - Zeolite Granules for Wastewater Treatment

You will take on the challenge to select and evaluate a new granular zeolite adsorbent at pilot scale for the removal of organic micropollutants from wastewater effluent.

Job description

Would you like to extend your knowledge, gain practical work experience, and earn an Engineering doctorate degree (EngD — this is not a PhD position) in the water sector within two years? The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) offers a programme in which you solve a technical, integrated, and complex problem in cooperation with multiple partners. On average, you study two days per week at TU Delft, following dedicated courses tailored to professional project execution, and apply your learning three days per week in practice.

The scope of the 2-year project is the evaluation of newly developed zeolite granules in a pilot-scale fixed bed reactor over a period of 1 year, aiming to increase the removal of a set of organic micropollutants (OMPs) to >80%. Your role is geared towards bridging the gap between pilot and full-scale application of high-silica zeolite granules.

Zeolites are crystalline, microporous materials that are potentially more selective than activated carbon for OMP removal in treated effluent. Previous research at TU Delft and elsewhere has shown fast kinetics and high adsorption capacity for OMPs on zeolites in water with competing ions and small organic compounds. Granular zeolites have been developed over the past 8 years in an integrated adsorption-oxidation process called AdOx. The AdOx process combines the adsorption of OMPs on zeolite granules with on-site regeneration via ozonation. In contrast to the better known ozone-GAC process, AdOx involves the bed of granular high-silica zeolites being dried and oxidized with ozone gas to avoid the formation of bromate. The key to adapting AdOx for long-term, full-scale application is to develop strong, wear-resistant, but porous granules.

You will take on the challenge of improving the AdOx process to achieve the requirements of the recast urban water directive for OMPs (80% OMP removal for a set of OMPs), assess the feasibility for full-scale applications based on pilot performance, cost estimation, and market recommendations. You will become part of a team of adsorption researchers working on zeolites at TU Delft and work collaboratively with technology developers and potential end-users.

You will

• Drive and inform the design and selection of high-silica zeolite granules together with EuroSupport.
• Accompany the development and operation of a pilot platform for testing granules in real wastewater effluent onsite.
• Evaluate the performance of the new AdOx process and granules.
• Design a full-scale AdOx treatment process including a techno-economic evaluation.

The position is offered by Dr. Kim Lompe, Dr. Sanne Smith, and Prof. Dr. Luuk Rietveld at TU Delft. Evides Industry Water and Colubris CleanTech are the direct industry partners. All supervisors provide specific expertise in adsorption and/or water treatment.

Job requirements

Need-to-haves

• MSc in water treatment, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• Laboratory skills for basic water analysis and willingness to learn more advanced sample preparation and data analysis.
• Data analysis skills for statistical analysis and data visualization and willingness to improve these skills.
• Initiative and engineering spirit to solve problems hands-on.
• Good communication skills to communicate with supervisors and colleagues.
• English proficiency: 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-haves

• Experience working with adsorption materials.
• R and Python skills.

If your native language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, you must submit proof of English proficiency from either TOEFL (minimum total score of 100) or IELTS (minimum total score of 7.0). Proof of English language proficiency certificates older than two years is not accepted.

TU Delft as an employer

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional within an international community of professionals and students.

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Its research addresses societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation, and clean water, and is conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions.

Conditions of employment

• A full-time, 2-year contract, with a go/no-go evaluation after the first year.
• A gross monthly salary starting at €3.204 in year one, increasing to €4.051 in year two, plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• An excellent pension scheme via ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• 232 leave hours per year, with the option to sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training, and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Attention to working healthy and energetically through the vitality program.