Explore the fundamental flow physics of complex emulsions with chemical reactions and enable novel applications in sustainable chemical conversion.

Job description

Two PhD positions are available in the Garbin lab (https://garbinlab.org) 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. We are currently looking for 2 PhD candidates to join the project team, which already comprises 3 postdocs with complementary expertise and working in close collaboration. As a PhD candidate working on this project, you will unravel the flow physics of multicomponent emulsions stabilized by nanoparticles (known as “Pickering emulsions”) and their dynamic evolution during chemical reactions. Although these complex emulsions have proven potential for sustainable chemical conversion, the effects of mass transfer and convection in combination with chemical reactions remain poorly characterized and understood for these systems, which currently limits their potential for applications.

The 2 PhD projects will focus on different, complementary aspects:

• PhD1 will focus on flow physics around a particle-stabilized (Pickering), multicomponent droplet. 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.
• PhD2 will focus on chemical conversion in multiphase reactions. You will explore practical approaches towards the valorization of circular carbon, namely, selective catalytic transformations of CO2 and biomass in close collaboration with the section Inorganic Systems Engineering (Prof. Evgeny Pidko).

In your cover letter please specify if you are applying for PhD1 or PhD2 and explain your motivation.

Our lab has previously revealed fascinating dynamical phenomena of Pickering bubbles (you can read more about this here & here) and we have recently performed the first quantitative measurement of diffusion across the particle-laden interface of a Pickering droplet (you can read more about this here). 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.

Requirements

We are looking for two motivated PhD candidates interested in fundamental research and with a passion for sustainability. You must have an MSc in Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering by the start of the project. Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics and transport phenomena is needed to make progress in the project; knowledge of soft matter physics or colloid science will also be beneficial. The ability to program in Python or a comparable language is required for image analysis and data processing.

For PhD1: experience with experimental methods in microscopy and image analysis is considered very valuable. Experience with microfluidics would be a plus.

For PhD2: experience with synthetic chemistry and experimental catalysis, and air-free operation, are considered very valuable.

For both projects 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. An ambition to bridge fundamental research with impact on society will also be highly valued.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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.

From 1 September next, a salary increase of 3.7% applies due to a Collective Agreement amendment, followed by an additional 1% increase on 1 January 2025. In addition, most employees employed on 1 September 2024 will receive a one-off payment of €300 gross based on full-time employment.

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

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Additional information

For more information about the project, please contact Dr. Valeria Garbin (v.garbin@tudelft.nl).

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 23 September 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• a cover letter describing your motivation (please mention if you apply for PhD1 or PhD2);
• your Curriculum Vitae including names of 2 references;
• your MSc thesis (if already completed).

Please note:

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.