Several positions are available for strongly motivated PhD students at the Membrane Technology Group (Prof. Ivo Vankelecom) of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering of KU Leuven, Belgium. Website unit

Project

You will have your own dedicated research project on membrane development, partly pure scientific, partly industry-driven, and is situated in one of the following fields, depending on the match of your expertise and interest with the projects:

• solvent resistant nanofiltration (linked to plastics industry)
• pressure retarded osmosis (membranes and solutes for power generation)
• reverse osmosis and nanofiltration (mosaic membranes for micropollutants)
• redox flow batteries and water electrolysis (novel membrane types)
• gas separation
• membrane bioreactors

Profile

- Master degree in bioscience engineering, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or nanotechnology with a strong interest in the physico-chemistry of polymeric and mixed matrix membrane materials.

- Any of following specialisations during Master studies or work experience form a bonus:

       - Preparation of polymer-based membranes via phase inversion, layer by layer deposition and/or interfacial polymerization

       - Polymer chemistry and polymer physics (in specific related to assembly of charged polymers and phase separation of polymers and their blends)

       - Membrane applications

-    Interest in both the fundamental understanding of membrane preparation and in the development of new membrane applications.

-    Team-player, motivated and eager to learn.

-    Excellent written and oral communication skills.

-    Ability to work in an interdisciplinary, international and collaborative environment.

-    Self-motivated, enthusiastic and being able to organise and prioritise own workload.

-    Being able to efficiently achieve objectives and overcome obstacles.

-    No-nonsense approach with an eye for opportunities.

Offer

Duration: 4 years

Starting date: asap

A position in a stimulating, interdisciplinary scientific environment, as part of an ambitious, international and dynamic team, with both academic and industrial targets.

Access to world-class research facilities(https://set.kuleuven.be/chemtech_nanocentre and https://www.biw.kuleuven.be/m2s/cmacs/research/membrane-technology/research-profile)

Interested?

Vul contactpersonen aan in stap 1 "Context vacature" en hergenereer deze tekst.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä is seeking to recruit:

a Postdoctoral Researcher (Environmental or Sustainability Sciences), for a period of three years, starting 15.3.2024 or as agreed (1.8.2024 at the latest).

The position is allocated to the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy and to the profiling area of planetary well-being and sustainability transitions. The position links to a new 5-year ERC StG project ‘Environmental Landscape Ethics: A Theory of Cohabitability’ (link).

Research in this project consists of innovative interdisciplinary research that seeks to transform the ethics of land use and create new frameworks and theories for approaching cohabited environments that humans actively manage.

Duties and requirements

The main task of the to-be-recruited researcher is to lead WP2 and conduct interdisciplinary research in the ERC project, both individually and in close collaboration with other team members. WP2 conducts interdisciplinary conceptual analysis and theory construction, proceeding from ecologically informed conceptual work to the systematisation of the constituents and forms of cohabitability into the descriptive theory of cohabitability.

The applicant is expected to have a Ph.D. degree in environmental sciences or sustainability science, but training in environmental sciences combined with Ph.D. from social sciences or other relevant field is also suitable. (In case you are interested yet uncertain about the suitability of your degree, please don’t hesitate to ask more.) The position necessitates strong knowledge from ecology and excellent skills for interdisciplinary research. Capacities for both independent and collaborative research are important.

Besides research, we expect the chosen candidate to contribute as a Wisdom Fellow to the building and development of the cross-disciplinary JYU.Wisdom sustainability research community. The primary place for community building and research collaboration is Jyväskylä.

The candidates are expected to conduct research at high international level, and a good command of English is required for this position. The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of a Postdoctoral Researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. The qualification requirements should be met by the closing of the application time.

What does the University of Jyväskylä offer as an employer?

You get to participate in our international and multidisciplinary community where everybody’s welfare is valued. You will work in an enthusiastic, ambitious research team and become a member of the multidisciplinary, highly engaged JYU.Wisdom community where you also get support for creating own research projects and project funding applications. At JYU, you will enjoy a beautiful campus environment that supports a healthy and active lifestyle (including good sports benefits for staff) and has received the European Heritage Label.

Finland has a high standard of living with healthcare, free schooling (also in English), affordable childcare, and good family benefits. The city of Jyväskylä is located in central Finland amidst Finnish lakes and has excellent opportunities for different nature, outdoor, and sports activities. It is a major educational center, whose large student population is responsible for a vibrant cultural scene. To find useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide.

The Postdoctoral Researcher positions are rated on levels 5-6 in the YPJ salary system for Finnish universities. At the beginning of the work contract, the monthly salary (gross income, excluding holiday bonus) in this postdoctoral researcher position will be approximately 3.300–4.100 €, depending on the qualifications and prior experience of the candidate.

Six months trial period is applied to the filling of the position.

In case you also have training in philosophy or social scientific subjects, please see also the other application related to this ERC project (Postdoctoral Researcher, Philosophy).

How to apply

Following documents must be included in English to the electronic recruiting system:

1. CV composed according to good scientific practice and considering, using e.g., the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK);
2. Informal motivation letter, which explains your personal research orientation and interest in the given topic and research project (link). The motivation letter can include the names and contact information of 1-3 references ("cover letter" on the online application form);
3. Numbered list of publications covering the applicant’s the scientific and other publications according to the instructions of the Academy of Finland (please highlight five most relevant publications for this position);
4. Ph.D. degree certificate (a PDF copy).

For more information, please contact Assistant Professor Teea Kortetmäki, teea.kortetmaki@jyu.fi (tel. +358 40 183 4918).

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is a strong contributor to human sciences. It has a central role in understanding and developing human activities and the structures of society. The faculty is a unique, strongly profiled unit that conducts internationally significant research with societal impact. Research and education at the faculty focus on culture, arts, traditions, languages and communication, social sciences and philosophy. The University of Jyväskylä is a human-centred environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for us all. It is essential that each member of the community thrives and has opportunities to develop and grow. We cherish openness of thinking as well as the balance between research and education. Our naturally beautiful campus is located at the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.

Location: Seminaarinkatu 15

Information for the applicant

The application form cannot be saved as a draft. However, after submitting you can return to edit your application via the link you receive by email. The application can be edited until the application deadline.

You have 6 hours to complete your application before the timeout.

The NUMA section of KU Leuven, Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics, aims at the development, analysis and implementation of numerical algorithms, and their application in science and engineering. In NUMA, the research focus lies on fundamental algorithmic innovations and a detailed analysis of their accuracy and efficiency. This work relies on a combination of mathematical modelling, analysis, design of algorithms and software development. Where possible and desirable, NUMA aims at producing software, that makes the research results useful for the academic and industrial communities. NUMA focuses its activities around emerging topics such as multiscale simulation, uncertainty quantification, highly oscillatory problems, data science, tensor computations, multivariate approximation, design and topology optimization, robust optimization, parameter estimation, control and optimization of hyperconnected systems, digital twins, computational material science, dynamic combinatorial optimization, integer programming, decomposition methods, heuristics and matheuristics. NUMA also aims to strengthen its leadership in traditional topics including (high dimensional) numerical integration, approximation theory, (partial) differential equations, numerical linear algebra and High Performance Computing, modelling and heuristic development, that are ubiquitous in science and engineering.

Project

Profile

Offer

• A high-level and exciting international research environment
• A supportive and collaborative team in which you can develop know-how and expertise in state-of-the-art numerical methods and their mathematical analysis
• The opportunity to build up research and innovation skills that are essential for a future career in research and development, both in an industrial and academic context
• A competitive salary and travel funding

Interested?

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en

The Doctoral School of Industry Innovations (DSII) at Tampere University explores research questions that are directly relevant for industry and business. Tampere University hires a Doctoral Researcher to complete a four-year, company-sponsored dissertation project under the joint supervision of a university professor and a company representative.

The sponsoring company for this position is Volvo Construction Equipment. Volvo Construction Equipment, a division of Volvo Group, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of construction equipment such as wheel loaders, haulers, excavators, road machinery, and compact machines. DSII offers Doctoral Researchers a unique opportunity to undertake dissertation research, gain a thorough understanding of product development, tackle real-world business challenges and expand their professional networks.

Job description

The purpose of the job is to create new knowledge for academia and industry in the field of off-road mobile machinery. The research will focus on novel hydraulic system powering the work functions of an excavator. The main motivation for the research is improvement of energy efficiency of the machine. The research concentrates on experimental study of the excavator’s efficiency and controllability enabled by the novel system.

As a Doctoral Researcher you will carry out the research work and take the relevant courses to complete the post-graduate studies. The research work includes not only planning and realization of experimental tests, but also study and development of control methods. The results will be disseminated in scientific peer-reviewed journals, international conferences, doctoral network events and events with industry.

At the university, the work will be supervised by Postdoctoral Researcher Mikko Huova and Senior Research Fellow Matti Linjama. From Volvo CE there will be supervision from senior corporate researchers having long application know-how . You will also be supported by practitioners in the steering group, including company representatives.

The tasks of all Doctoral Researchers will also include teaching duties that amount to approximately 5% of their annual working hours, unless there are justified reasons to the contrary.

Requirements

You need to have an applicable master’s degree in automation, machine design/mechanical engineering or fluid power, or a related discipline in science or engineering. Good skills in MATLAB/Simulink are required and knowledge about mobile work machines. Experience in modelling and simulation of mobile machinery is considered as an advantage.  You also need to have an enquiring mind, enjoy problem-solving and be able to think independently while also being able to work in a team. A good command of English, both in writing and in oral presentations, is required.

Please note that before commencing in the position, the selected candidate must apply for study right within the doctoral programme at Tampere University, unless they already have one. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on eligibility requirements.

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition/bildung, and learner-centredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work.

We offer

The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of four (4) years, commencing as soon as possible after the application period, or as mutually agreed. A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees.

The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a doctoral researcher is placed on level 2-4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is approximately 2600 EUR per month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active and truly international research community. Our research group is called Innovative Hydraulics and Automation (IHA) and non-road mobile machinery and energy efficient systems belong to our focus areas.

The University has a strong commitment to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education. The faculty as well as the Doctoral School of Industry Innovations support the doctoral students by offering training and peer support. Doctoral students in DSII develop a strong set of skills, enabling them to conduct agile, customer-oriented research, development and business.The University offers a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. Please read more about working at Tampere University.

Tampere is one of the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. Tampere region is one of the three most rapidly growing urban areas in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. For more information on Tampere, please visit here.

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is January 16th, 2024 (23:59 EET / UTC+3).

Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format.

Please attach only the following documents to your application:

• A letter of motivation and description of your research interests (max. 1 A4 page)
• Curriculum vitae according to the TENK template  (including the contact details of two referees).
• List of publications
• Degree certificates
• Transcript of records (master's degree studies).

For further information, please contact:

Mikko Huova, email: mikko.huova(at)tuni.fi

Application period starts: 2024-01-02 10:00 Application period ends: 2024-01-16 23:59

The Faculty of Science and Institute of Environmental Sciences are looking for:

1 PhD candidate on developing biodiversity-inclusive strategies for the energy transition.

Vacancy number: 14334

We are excited to invite applications for a PhD candidate position within our interdisciplinary research team at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML). The focus of this opportunity is to contribute to deepening our understanding of the impact of mining activities on freshwater ecosystems.

Position Overview The selected candidate will lead the development of large-scale models (continental to global) to predict the impact of current and future mining activities on freshwater resources and biodiversity. There exists compelling evidence on the disruptive effects of mining activities on freshwater ecosystems, extending several kilometers downstream from mining sites. However, global assessments inadequately quantify these impacts due to a lack of knowledge regarding biodiversity responses to the many ways in which mining affects freshwater ecosystems. This knowledge gap is particularly critical in the context of the transition to a carbon-neutral society. The anticipated surge in metals demand needed for renewable technologies, is set to escalate conflicts between raw material extraction and conservation, emphasizing the need to disentangle these conflicts for a sustainable and biodiversity-inclusive energy transition.

We seek candidates with a strong quantitative background (programming, GIS) and familiarity with hydrological and ecological processes, but also someone who is keen to learn and develop these skills. The candidate will operate at the intersection of ecology and hydrology, focusing on developing predictive models. These models will not only be employed to carry out global impact assessments but also to enhance the characterization of mining impacts on biodiversity within sustainability assessment tools such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmentally Extended Multi-Regional Input-Output (EE-MRIO).

The Ph.D. candidate will be supervised by Dr. Valerio Barbarossa and Prof. René Kleijn, who are dedicated to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive research environment. The candidate will also engage with the larger “resources and energy”, “biodiversity” as well as “industrial ecology” research groups at the Institute of Environmental Sciences, providing ample opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Key responsibilities As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Develop numerical models to predict the impacts of mining on freshwater ecosystems.
• Use the developed models to characterize impacts of mining in sustainability assessment tools such as LCA and EE-MRIO.
• Assess mining impacts on freshwater ecosystems under various energy transition scenarios.
• Work independently with confidence while maintaining a collegial and proactive attitude.
• Communicate findings through scientific publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
• Help with supervision of MSc students for thesis projects.
• Work on cutting-edge research ideas and proposals together with the supervisors.

Selection Criteria

• You hold an MSc degree, ideally in Environmental Science, Biology, Industrial Ecology, Sustainability, or a related discipline.
• You have experience in spatial data analyses using GIS software and/or programming environments such as R or Python. Experience with "big data" is a plus.
• You have experience in mechanistic and/or statistical modeling. Familiarity with (mixed effect) regression modeling is an advantage.
• Previous knowledge of conducting systematic reviews/meta-analyses is an advantage.
• You exhibit a proactive and flexible attitude, along with excellent communication skills.
• You are a team player capable of effectively communicating work to researchers from various disciplines.
• You have very good written and spoken communication skills in English.

Research at our Institute/Faculty Leiden University is situated between Amsterdam (36 km) and Den Haag (15 km) and was founded in 1575, making it the oldest university in the Netherlands. It houses around 35,000 students originating from 112 nationalities, facilitated by approximately 8,000 staff. The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are driven by curiosity to expand fundamental knowledge and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programmes. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,800 staff and almost 6,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

The environmental science research in CML is organized around two major research areas: ‘Industrial Ecology’ and ‘Environmental Biology’. This makes CML one of the few institutes covering both the circular, sustainable economic use of natural resources and natural capital, as well as assessing the environmental impacts of economic activities on natural resources, biodiversity and natural capital. Presently, over 130 FTE (including postdocs and PhDs) are employed at CML. CML collaborates with the TU Delft and Erasmus University (Rotterdam) in the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus Centre for Sustainability (LDE-CfS).

Terms and conditions At Leiden University, a PhD candidate is seen as an employee rather than a student. As such, we offer a 1-year position with the possibility of extension to 4 years based on performance and following the pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Salary ranges from € 2.770.- gross per month in the first year to € 3.539 gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position. Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses, we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break (“30% rule”).

Diversity At the Faculty of Science we value inclusiveness and strive for a diverse community with equal opportunities for all. We give full support to our staff in achieving their potential to become independent academic researchers and teachers. For more information about our policy on diversity and equality please go to the diversity page on our website. Female researchers are also welcomed to join the Researchers In

Science for Equality network of the Faculty if Science (rise.nu).

Information For inquiries, please contact Dr. Valerio Barbarossa at v.barbarossa@cml.leidenuniv.nl or sollicitaties@cml.leidenuniv.nl for general questions.

Applications Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top or bottom of this page. Applications received via e-mail will not be taken into consideration. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents quoting the vacancy number:

• CV (max 2 pages)
• A motivation letter (max 2 pages)
• The names and contact information of two referees

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with the final deadline for submissions being February 7, 2024. Interviews will take place online or in-person (depending on the current location of residence) within two weeks after the closing date.