PhD position in membrane technology applied to water recycling in microalgae hydrothermal treatment

The Section of Chemical Engineering (ChE), Department of Green Technology (IGT), University of Southern Denmark, (SDU) invites applications for a PhD position within the area of process separation by membrane technology and chromatography. The starting date for the position is 1^st of May 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter, and will be agreed upon with the successful candidate.

The activity is part of the project SUSTEP “Sustainable, Secure and Competitive Energy through Scaling up Advanced Biofuel Generation” financed through the Horizon Europe Framework Programme “Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply”.  The PhD project will be performed in collaboration with the project partners. 

The position offers a chance to share the expertise of ChE within the fields of process system engineering, sustainable process design, process optimization, and recovery of valuable compounds.  

For more information on SUSTEP and the partners visit: https://susteps.eu

For more information on the department please see: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/institutter_centre/igt-green-technology

For more information in working at SDU and living in Odense please visit: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/international_staff

Job description

A successful candidate will get a unique chance to participate in research and collaboration with the scientific as well as commercial communities in the field of process system engineering, membrane technology and algae HTL.  

The focus will be on the following activities: 

• Screening of different membrane materials and arrangements
• Stream characterization
• Process modeling
• Evaluation of the overall process economy

It is preferred if the candidate has experiences and contributions within one or more of the following areas:

• Membrane separation
• Process synthesis
• Process optimization
• Analytical chemistry

What is offered

We offer an inspirational international research environment with excellent infrastructure including large scale facilities and strong collaborations with a vast international network, research organizations and commercial stakeholders. 

We offer a position from which to further develop the fundamental knowledge to provide insightful understanding and applicable solution.

Profile

• The candidate must have a MSc degree or equivalent in chemical engineering.
• We are seeking a highly motivated, self-driven candidate, with a background in membrane separation and who communicates well in an international environment. 
• The candidate must be able to carry out independent, systematic and rigorous research and engineering work, which is clearly aligned with the overall project activity. 
• A proven record of publications in international peer-reviewed journals is an advantage but not a requirement to apply for this position. 

Contact information

Further information is available from:

• SDU Associate Professor Massimiliano Errico [email protected]
• SDU Head of Section Knud Villy Christiansen [email protected]

The application deadline is 31 March 2024

Assessment process

Read about the assessment and selection process. Applications will be assessed by an expert. Shortlisting may be used. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the Faculty. An interview may be part of the selection process. 

Conditions of employment

Applicants are required to have a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position. Read more about the basic scale of the collective agreement here. 

Employment is governed by the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check link for more information on salary and taxation. 

Employment of a PhD fellow can only happen after the PhD School has approved the candidate for admission. Employment and enrollment will cease without further notice at the end of the period. A PhD fellow is not allowed to have any kind of sideline employment, while enrolled as PhD fellow at the faculty.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at SDU in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order), read more here.

Application procedure

The Faculty expects applicants to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on How to apply  before applying.

The application must be in English and must include the following (the required forms must be found at the Faculty website) for a PhD position:

• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants. Find the form at the Faculty website.
• Motivation letter stating your specific interest, motivation, and qualifications for the project in question (max. 2 pages). 
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae including personal contact information, research and teaching experience, list of publications (if any)
• In case you have any publications, a maximum of 2 examples of relevant papers. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication.
• Verified copies of the official bachelor diploma and master's diploma and transcripts of exams, both the original documents and in professional English translation.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Find the form at the Faculty website. 
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). 
• An official and verified written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution, if the thesis/examination project is evaluated by approved/passed. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30% in the graduation class for the study programme.
• References (names and emails) and/or reference letters may also be included. You're welcome to use the form for reference letter at the Faculty website.

All documents in connection with the application should not contain CPR number (civil registration number) – in that case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.