Postdoc on Electro-osmotic drying of diluted biomass streams (3 years)

In our research group Membrane Materials and Processes we have the following position available:

1 postdoc (3 years) on: Electro-osmotic drying of diluted biomass streams

Details of the overall project

This project is part of a large Dutch academic-industrial research program entitled ELECTRIFIED. Its aims is to develop key enabling technologies and consists of multiple PhD and PD research projects. The main objective of this ELECTRIFIED research program is to develop and explore electrically driven dewatering technologies for the food and biobased industry.

Drying alone represents almost 25% of all energy used in the processing industry. Sustainable food and biobased processing can only be realized by replacing our current evaporative dewatering processes by processes using more effective driving forces such as electricity. ELECTRIFIED uses such electric driving forces to extract water from biomaterials. This is done by making use of a combination of molecularly designed electroresponsive hydrogels, well-controlled electro-osmosis and electrohydrodynamic drying in dilute, semi solid and solid regimes.

Details of this specific PD-project (3 years)

The PD enrolled at the TU/e has to design and construct a bench scale system for the semi solid drying regime that is based on the findings and input provided by the other academic partners. The work is conducted in close cooperation with the industrial partners in this project. The constructed system should be scalable and will be benchmarked against the current state of the art drying techniques. Finally, the technology is evaluated on location at the industrial partners and compared with current drying technology, also taking into account the quality of the product obtained.

Membrane Materials and Processes at Eindhoven University of Technology

The research will be conducted at the research group Membrane Materials and Processes (MM/P) part of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the TU/e (The Netherlands).

The research group MM/P focuses on the design, development, characterization and application of polymer membranes to control mass transport in sustainable processes. The research combines and integrates materials chemistry, materials engineering and process technology. Application areas are water and energy, with a strong focus on the recovery and reuse of resources, the valorization of waste streams and energy efficiency. 'Closing cycles' and 'value from waste' are leading themes in the research program. Next to fundamental academic research, application-oriented research in close collaboration with the industry is stimulated.

The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

• We are looking for a talented, motivated and enthusiastic researcher.
• Preferably, candidates have a strong background and interest in both chemistry and chemical engineering with experience in materials engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering combined with knowledge of physical chemistry.
• Candidates should have a scientific attitude combined with a hands-on mentality.
• Analytical skills, initiative and creativity are valuable properties.
• You are a naturally curious person who is eager to learn more and has a strong interest in research.
• Excellent communication skills in English are a prerequisite.
• We prefer candidates with a good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented, social environment.

An interview, a scientific presentation and a writing assignment are part of the selection procedure.