3 PhD Positions: Perfect Chemical Reactors
Delft University of Technology
Engels -- Faculty/department Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Level Master degree
Maximum employment Maximum of 38 hours per week (1 FTE)
Duration of contract 4 years
Salary scale €2042 to €2612 per month gross
Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
The 3ME Faculty trains committed engineering students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers in groundbreaking scientific research in the fields of mechanical, maritime and materials engineering. 3ME is the epitome of a dynamic, innovative faculty, with a European scope that contributes demonstrable economic and social benefits.
The Process and Energy Department conducts world-class research and education in new technologies for sustainable development. The research is founded on a deep understanding of the underlying physics and covers the expertise fields of process intensification, engineering thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, energy technology and process equipment. It is characterised by the interplay between modelling and experimentation, spanning all length scales from molecule to processing plant, and building on unique experimental facilities.
The Chair of Intensified Reaction and Separation Systems led by Prof. Andrzej Stankiewicz is one of the world’s leading groups in the field of Process Intensification. The group’s research focuses on locally controlled activation and transport for tailored processes and products. It contributes, among other things, to a better understanding and practical applications of electromagnetic fields for enhancing reaction and separation processes. The current vacancies are offered as a part of the prestigious Advanced Investigator Grant awarded by the European Research Council to Prof. Stankiewicz.
Job description
Full control of chemical reactions at the molecular level presents undoubtedly the most important scientific challenge on the way to sustainable, waste-free and thermodynamically-efficient processes. Factors responsible for the effectiveness of a reaction include frequency of molecular collisions, geometry of approach, mutual orientation of molecules at the moment of collision and their energy. Current chemical reactors offer very limited control of the above factors. A groundbreaking solution can only be achieved by creating a "perfect” reaction environment, in which the geometry of molecular collisions is fully controlled while energy is transferred selectively to the required molecules in the required form, in the required amount, at the required moment, and at the required position. The current project aims at the first development of its kind of milli- and microstructured reactors using electric and electromagnetic (laser, microwave) fields for alignment, orientation and selective activation of targeted molecules. Three 4-year PhD research projects are to focus on molecular activation using laser beams, microwave irradiation and light generated in-situ in the catalyst. Chemistries studied in the proposal are mono- and bi-molecular reactions using CO2, CH4 and H2O, which are of paramount importance for clean fuel production and carbon dioxide management. They include methane steam and dry reforming, as well as water and CO2 splitting.
Requirements
We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:
• Excellent MSc in the area of chemical engineering, chemistry, catalysis or chemical physics
• Keen interest in scientific research on the interface between chemical physics, catalysis and chemical engineering
• Fluency in English
Conditions of employment
TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home, and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Information and application
For more information about this position or to apply, please contact Prof. A. Stankiewicz, phone: +31 (0)15-2786678, e-mail: a.i.stankiewicz@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV, references, an abstract of your MSc thesis and a letter of application by 31 March 2012 to Prof. Stankiewicz, application-3mE@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number 3ME11-32.