For the Process Engineering for Sustainable Systems Section we are looking for a motivated student with a background in chemical engineering and an interest in multiphase flow chemistry and transport processes for the development of novel photochemical reactors.
Description
This work will be carried out as a PhD project in the newly established Group of Transport Phenomena and Multiphase Systems at KU Leuven under the supervision of Prof. dr. ir. Simon Kuhn.
Simon recently started his research at KU Leuven with funding from an FWO Odysseus grant after a career in Switzerland (ETH Zurich), USA (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and the UK (University College London). We also form part of the larger Process Engineering for Sustainable Systems (ProcESS) group at the Department of Chemical Engineering with expertise in process intensification, use of alternative energy sources and membrane technology.
The use of visible light energy to induce chemical transformations constitutes an interesting and green activation mode of organic molecules. However,implementation of this energy source in organic synthetic methodologies and in the industrial production of fine chemicals has been challenging. ThePhoto4Future Innovative Training Network establishes a training network with five beneficiaries from academia and two beneficiaries from industry to tackle the challenges associated with photochemistry in a coherent and comprehensive fashion.
The aim of the offered PhD position is to characterize the scalability of heterogeneous photochemical transformations and to provide design guidelines for novel photochemical reactors. This will be achieved by investigating selected trifluoromethylations in continuous flow reactors at different scales,which allows the quantification of mass transport limitations with respect to reaction kinetics and thus guides reactor development. The novel reactor design will be supported by the development of a photon model for heterogeneous catalysts, and its integration into a simulation tool to predict the photon efficiency inside the reactor.
The project is embedded in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie ETN program Photo4Future, and the students will be trained in the Photo4Future graduate school, covering training in scientific, personal and complementary skills. All the ESRs will perform two secondments, of which at least one is carried out with an industrial partner. Consequently, the ESRs will have improved career prospects and a higher employability. Due to the high degree of industrial participation, thePhoto4Future network will provide an innovation-friendly environment where scientific results can grow and become products or services that will benefit European economies.We are looking for highly motivated students, who can perform a Ph.D. project on this challenging topic.
Nr of positions available : 1
Research Fields
Engineering - Chemical engineering
Career Stage
Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate)
Research Profiles
Not defined
Benefits
The successful candidate will be offered a PhD fellowship to become part of our international team with global research links to work towards a PhD.Funding can be provided for a period of 4 years.
Comment/web site for additional job details
Reference number BAP-2015-17
- Requirement: Master's degree in Chemical Engineering with strong overall marks
- Knowledge of laser-based measurement techniques, fluid dynamics and flow chemistry will be regarded as a plus
- Adequate English (written and verbal communication) for scientific interactions required
- Strong motivation is a must
- Willingness to work at interdisciplinary boundaries
Importantly, applicants must also meet the requirements of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Conditions of Mobility of Researchers.Researchers can be of any nationality and are required to undertake transnational mobility. This means that researchers must not have resided at their host beneficiary for more than 12 months in the past 3 years.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Simon Kuhn via mail: simon.kuhn@cit.kuleuven.be
You can apply for this job no later than 28/02/2015 via the online application tool