PhD position on “Electrochemical desalination for the removal of salts and nutrients” - #48661

Key takeaways

• Hours 38 - 40 hr
• Salary indication
  Salary gross/monthly
  based on full-time € 3,059 - € 3,881
• Deadline 16 Jun 2026

In this project, we aim to develop electrodialysis (ED) and bipolar membrane processes (EDBPM) as separation and on-site chemical production technologies for complex mixtures containing not only monovalent salts but also divalent ions, nutrients, and charged organic molecules. One-side coated ion exchange membranes provide a promising platform in ED and EDBPM processes to tune ion transport, as strong diode behavior of these asymmetric membranes was recently demonstrated. Our goal is to fractionate complex salt mixtures to produce valuable chemicals. Your goal is to develop a toolbox of chemically and mechanically stable membrane coatings suitable for water treatment applications in ED and EDBPM. You will evaluate the performance on complex water streams and identify process limitations by combining experimental results with advanced model development. The project is co-supervised by Jouke Dykstra from Wageningen University and Research.

The project is part of the research consortium BlueVantage. BlueVantage is a large research program with scientific and societal partners that aims to tackle growing water challenges by finding new ways to reuse water safely and sustainably. To that end, BlueVantage explores new treatment technologies to remove persistent organic micropollutants and recover valuable resources from water, thereby ensuring a clean water cycle for economy, ecology and society. The research in BlueVantage is divided over different thematic work packages in which a number of PhDs, their supervisors and societal partners together work on the ambitions of BlueVantage.

Your profile

• You are an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher.
• You have, or will shortly, acquire a master degree in the field of Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, Water Technology or an adjacent relevant study.
• You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills.
• You have a good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
• You are proficient in English.

Our offer

• A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.059,- (first year) to € 3.881,- (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.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the '' button below before June 16, and include:

• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, motivations to apply for this position.
• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references.
• An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact (Rob Lammertink, [email protected])

About the department

The PhD position is embedded in the Department of Membrane Science and Technology (MST), often referred to as Twente Membranes. MST consists of several research chairs focused on the development of new membrane materials and modules, membrane characterization, transport phenomena near and through membrane surfaces and the development of membrane processes and applications. MST has a history in membranes stretching back more than 50 years and is internationally recognized as a leading department in membrane science and technology. The department boasts an impressive track record of over 250 PhD graduates, over 1000 peer reviewed scientific publications and over 40 granted patents, as well as numerous spin-off companies.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Science & Technology (Technische Natuurwetenschappen, TNW) engages some 700 staff members and 2000 students in education and research on the cutting edge of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Our fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally and is strengthened by the many young researchers working on innovative projects with as doctoral candidates and post-docs. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.