Phd Position: Enabling Membrane-based Industrial Effluent Reuse Using Model Predictive Control

**Key takeaways**:
- Hours
- 38 - 40 hr.- Salary indication- Salary gross/monthly
based on full-time- € 2,901 - € 3,707- Deadline
- 15 Aug 2025

The Netherlands is a water-scarce country. We therefore need to focus on circular reuse of water within industrial and drinking water settings, and minimizing energy and water footprints in separation processes. Although membrane separations are mature and energy-efficient processes, widespread adoption of this technology for industrial wastewater reuse has not been achieved yet. A major reason is the highly variable nature of industrial wastewater. For that reason, together with our industrial partners Jotem Water Solutions and Waterstromen, we have defined the **SMARTIER project**: Scalable Membrane-based Adaptive Recycling Technology (SMART) for Industrial Effluent Reuse (IER).

Within the SMARTIER project, we aim to develop the tools and know-how to enable robust and economical recycling and reuse of industrial effluent using **membrane technology** (ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis). We intend to do this by combining fundamental know-how relating to membranes, transport phenomena and interface science (UT) with the practical experience in building (Jotem Water Solutions) and operating (Waterstromen) membrane-based wastewater treatment plants.

As part of the UT team, you will develop a robust model predictive control (MPC) algorithm based on sensor and other system inputs that can be used to enable industrial effluent recycling under a variety of process conditions. You will need to support the development of the MPC tool by performing relevant experiments on lab-scale, and later validate the MPC tool using pilot-scale data. You will closely collaborate with an EngD student in this project.

As PhD student in the SMARTIER project, you will:

- Develop a model predictive controller (MPC) for membrane-based wastewater treatment processes to enable reuse of industrial effluent;
- Perform relevant lab-scale experiments to define relevant water-quality and process parameters and to support the development of the MPC tool;
- Determe the efficacy of various sensing approaches for (online) parameter estimation during effluent treatment by membrane processes independently as well as in collaboration with the EngD student at Jotem Water Solutions.
- Implement and validate the developed MPC tool in close collaboration with the EngD student and by using pilot-scale data obtained by Waterstromen.

The SMARTIER project is funded by EFRO Oost.

This position will give you ample opportunities to collaborate with EngD and PhD students, post-docs and other researchers within the Membrane Science & Technology department.

**Your profile**:

- You have a Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably with distinction, in Chemical Engineering, (Bio)Process Technology, or a closely related discipline. You are motivated and enthusiastic about working on an industrially relevant design project.
- You are experienced and interested in interfacial science and connecting experimental results to theoretical models/simulations.
- Preferably you have experience with or have a demonstrated interest in (pressure-driven) membrane processes, transport phenomena, and chemical process engineering in general.
- You are enthusiastic about contributing to teaching within the Chemical Science and Engineering education program in various courses taught by our department.
- You have the ability to work independently and as a member of a larger team, while demonstrating a collaborative attitude.
- You are able to review and engage with interdisciplinary studies and are driven by curiosity.
- You have an analytical mind-set, and possess excellent communication skills, written as well as spoken. English language proficiency is a must. A written test and/or an oral presentation will be part of the interview procedure.

**Our offer**:

- A very challenging and engaging research position for four years.
- Gross monthly salary of € 2,901.00 in the first year, which increases to € 3,707.00 in the fourth year.
- There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
- Up to 328 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a workweek of 40 hours.
- Free access to sports facilities on campus.
- Your PhD project has to result in a doctoral thesis at the end of the employment period.
- A curriculum vitae and transcripts of your relevant educational background. If applicable, please provide a list of publications in your CV.
- A copy of your degree or expected date of graduation.
- At least two references.

***:
**About the department**:
**Department of Membrane Science and Technology (MST)**

**About the organisation**: