BEMÆRK: Ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Anaerobic digestion is a robust technology mostly applied for biowaste handling (e.g., manures, activated sludge or the organic fraction of municipal solid waste), playing a crucial role on pollution control and facilitating the green energy transition. The digestate produced during digestion is rich in nutrients and often applied in farmland substituting mineral fertilizers. Despite its positive role, recent technology developments have paved the way towards more cost-efficient business models relying on anaerobic digestion. As an example, anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) have emerged as suitable technologies for anaerobic digestion of wastewaters, and not only solid wastes, thereby expanding the applicability of anaerobic processes. Furthermore, the use of membrane technology generates high quality effluents safe for fertigation (combined use of nutrients and water) for crops. Also, novel biotechnological processes, such as fermentation processes for microbial protein production, enable upcycling effluents from anaerobic digesters, both gases and nutrients, into microbial feeds. The selection of a more traditional business model or more advanced biorefinery approach depends pretty much on case to case and requires proper holistic assessment during the decision-making process.
This PhD project will be aligned with a Horizon project, Symsites
aiming to demonstrate AnMBR technology for the co-digestion of municipal and industrial wastewater together with food waste at pilot scale, generating a permeate suitable for fertigation of non-edible crops. Alternative valorization scenarios will be considered based on laboratory scale assays, focusing mostly on microbial protein production via methanotrophs. To enable decision making, the PhD student will apply life cycle assessment (LCA) untangling the effect of different valorization strategies in the interplay of water, food and energy systems.
The PhD is partially funded by the Sino-Danish Center
and the student will conduct part of the research at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Ideally, you have a strong background in environmental biotechnology and sustainability assessment. Having experience with experimental work at lab and pilot scale (running membrane processes or fermenters) or life cycle assessment is an advantage. You are highly motivated and self-driven in what you do. You like getting your hands dirty and therefore are capable to understand analytical and experimental techniques, showing high degree of independence. You like to synthesize empirical knowledge into mathematical models that can describe the main material and energy flows of the technological solution and its interaction with the surrounding system. You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary environment and are unafraid to ask questions.
As our PhD student in this project, you will engage in:
- Pilot scale testing of anaerobic membrane bioreactors
- Laboratory work to optimize microbial protein production from digestates and biogas
- Life cycle assessment, costing and social-LCA
- Close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team
- Research and teaching efforts at a section and departmental level as appropriate and relevant
- Dissemination of your research through publications and attendance to conferences
- Teaching and supervision activities within the field of biological water treatment
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education
.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Borja Valverde Pérez.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.
The position is 3 years fixed term full time and starts 1 October 2024 (or according to mutual agreement).
You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Borja Valverde-Pérez (email: bvape@dtu.dk
). Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, only online applications as described below will be considered.
You can read more about DTU Sustain at www.sustain.dtu.dk/en.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark
. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar
” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 23 July 2024 (23:59 Danish time)
. Applications must be submitted as one PDF file
containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file
. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
DTU Sustain - Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering - is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff from more than 30 nationalities.
Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
INFORMATIONER OM STILLINGEN:
- Arbejdspladsen ligger i:
Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune
-Virksomheden tilbyder:
-Arbejdsgiver:
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Anker Engelunds Vej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby
-Ansøgning:
Ansøgningsfrist: 23-07-2024; - ansøgningsfristen er overskredet
Se mere her: https://job.jobnet.dk/CV/FindWork/Details/6083405
