JOB DESCRIPTION

A PhD position is available in the Garbin lab (https://garbinlab.org) on the NWO-Vici project “Flow physics of Pickering emulsion reactors for sustainable chemical conversion”. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you will explore the interplay of chemical reaction and transport phenomena in nanoparticle-stabilized emulsions for chemical conversion. The project team already comprises 3 postdocs and 1 PhD candidate with complementary expertise and working in close collaboration. In this PhD project, you will unravel the flow physics of multicomponent emulsions stabilized by nanoparticles (“Pickering emulsions”) and their dynamic evolution during chemical reactions. Despite the proven potential of these complex emulsions for novel sustainable chemical conversions, the effects of mass transfer and convection in combination with chemical reactions remain poorly characterized and understood for these systems, which currently limits their applications. To characterize and control these effects, you will develop and integrate novel experimental approaches including in-situ, real-time visualization of concentration fields and advanced microstructure imaging, combined with microfluidics and multiscale modelling.
The Garbin lab is embedded in the Transport Phenomena section of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the project offers exciting synergies with our international network of academic collaborators, and with two industrial partners active in sustainable chemical conversion.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• We are looking for a PhD candidate interested in fundamental research and with a passion for sustainability. You must have an MSc in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent) by the start of the project.
• Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics and transport phenomena is needed to make progress in the project; good knowledge of reaction engineering is also desirable. The ability to program in Python or a comparable language is required for numerical simulations, image analysis and data processing.
• Prior experience with experimental methods in microscopy and image analysis is considered very valuable. It is important that you have good communication skills and are open to collaboration, as the project requires coordination and synergy with other team members and external partners.
• The ability to write concise technical test is desirable and the potential to learn this skill will be valued.
• A commitment to education is also expected, with diverse opportunities to contribute to the BSc and MSc educational programs in chemical engineering.
• Lastly, an ambition to bridge fundamental research with impact on society will also be highly valued.

Please refer the Job description for details