PhD positions on Steam drying in the paper industry – model based decision-making

Are you passionate about using and developing process systems engineering tools (e.g. design, optimization, modeling, simulation, and control)? We offer two challenging Ph.D. positions in the process systems engineering laboratory at Twente University.

SteamDry is a HORIZON2020 project with 17 industrial- and academic partners throughout Europe. The goal of SteamDry is to drastically reduce energy use (40%) and to obtain a CO2 emission-free paper and board industry by developing superheated steam drying technology.

The main task for Twente University and Wageningen Research (WR) is to ensure high steam quality (low in fibers and air) throughout the process by prevention and purification using appropriate technologies.

To achieve this task a model-based approach will be followed, supported by experimentation. From these models, digital twins are constructed to develop an advanced control system.

We are offering two PhD positions: one for prevention and one for purification.

Your profile

You are available from 01-01-2024.

You will be embedded in the Process Systems Engineering Laboratory at the faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Twente. This will give you access to state-of-the-art facilities and scientific knowledge.

You will interact with direct colleagues in the group and with scientist of WR on a scientific level. This requires that you frequently visit Wageningen.

You will interact with EU-project partners and will participate in project related events throughout Europe.

You have a strong affinity with mathematical modeling and programming and related process systems engineering tools.

You are able to design and use experimental setups (under the appropriate guidance).

You have a Master's degree in (chemical) engineering.

You are a team player and enjoy interdisciplinary work.

You have good communication skills, and you are driven by scientific curiosity.

You can speak and write English proficiently

Our offer

A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home.

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 € 2.770,- (first year) to € 3.539,- (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 'Apply now' button below before 30 November 2023, 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 Prof. E. Zondervan ([email protected])

About the department

The Laboratory of Process Systems Engineering (PSE) is embedded in the Sustainable Process Technology (SPT) group of Twente University. SPT is a multidisciplinary, international research group with several professorships, technical personnel, and many Ph.D. and M.Sc. students. In SPT we cover several areas in sustainable process technology, such as plastics recycling, carbon capture and utilization, affinity separations, process control, and process design. SPT has an excellent infrastructure for experiments (from lab to pilot scale) and model-based decision-making.

The main research activities of the PSE lab are in the field of energy transition, specifically on topics that regard the transformation to a hydrogen economy, biobased production, carbon capture and utilization, and electrochemical storage of energy. In these application areas, we develop models, control, and optimization strategies to design unit, plant, and supply chains in such a way that maximum flexibility and the best trade-offs between conflicting objectives are obtained.

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.

Want to know more? Zondervan, E. (Edwin)

Full Professor

Zondervan, E. (Edwin)

Full Professor

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Edwin for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Contact

Phone:+31534897651

Email:[email protected]

How to apply Step 1

Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Step 2

Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer.

Your Colleagues

Steenbergen, W. (Wiendelt)

Personal page

Pizzoccaro - Zilamy, M.D. (Marie-Alix)

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Vargas Llona, L.D. (Laura)

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Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

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