PhD Waste stream mild fractionation process intensification (1.0 FTE)

RE-Fibre is a Doctoral Network funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA-DN) that aims to revolutionize Bio-fibre composite landscape by designing high-performance, fully renewable, and recyclable wood and plant fibre materials. RE-Fibre will train 11 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) with an entrepreneurial and sustainability-mindset in the disciplines of green/lignin chemistry, new biobased materials, and environmental systems science (Website: https://refibre-dn.eu/). The DCs will build on ground-breaking findings being generated at the RE-Fibre consortium, to enable the development of fully recyclable functional biobased composites with properties on par with fossil-based counterparts. They will gain competencies, not only in a breakthrough scientific field but also in interdisciplinary and interpersonal skills. Additionally, they will expand their network and gain experience through participating in secondments (research stays at a site of an academic or industrial partner). Finally, DCs will learn the best practices by developing online research and training tools, enabling them to work and collaborate across academic and industrial sectors. RE-Fibre training will contribute to DCs employability as future leaders, while supporting the green transition and a sustainable circular economy in Europe.



Of the 11 DCs, DC1 will be hosted at the Green Chemical Reaction Engineering Group (ENTEG) at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Here the DC will join a research team that developed biomass pretreatment and lignin fractionation methodology to obtain novel bio-based chemical products. Within the project the overall goal of this DC project is to develop mild smart disassembly methodology for residual lignocellulosic biomass streams. With the following sub-objectives



- The development of a flow-through setup and downstream processing to isolate high-quality modified lignin from forestry residues.

- Exploration of alcohol-based modification strategies of lignin integrating the develop flow methodology.

- Analysis of modified lignin streams to establish relationships between lignin characteristics and the process conditions.

- In-silico studies for process design to deliver input for techno-economics and LCA.



Organisation

Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.



Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, one 4-years DC (PhD) position is available at the Green Chemical Reaction Engineering Group (ENTEG, located at Nijenborgh 3, 9747AG Groningen, The Netherlands)) has a strong track record for the chemical conversion of renewable feedstocks to chemicals and fuels and currently consists of 6 principal investigators and around 40 researchers supported by 7 technical staff. The Catalytic Processing of Sustainable Resources subgroup of Prof. Dr Peter J. Deuss exists since 2016 and works on the development of catalytic conversion technologies for residual carbon streams such as biomass and waste plastics. The Deuss group brings specific interest and expertise in lignocellulose fractionation; lignin structural characterization; chemistry of renewables; catalysis; characterization of biomass and biomass-derived mixtures to the Re-Fibre consortium and has the goal to apply mild lignin fractionation technologies to wood residues and study the relationship between the extraction combined with downstream processing conditions and the lignin product properties.

Requirements:

The successful candidate should have



- A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related field.

- High motivation in pursuing academic research.

- Effective communication (both written and spoken in English) and collaboration abilities.

- Willingness to take part in research exchange with other project partners (6-month secondments at SCA, Sweden and University of Graz, Austria) and training activities across Europe.

- Experience in the fields of Biomass conversion, (lignin) polymer chemistry, reactor/process engineering are preferred.



Specific Requirements

There are strict eligibility requirements for the DC positions in MSCA-Doctoral Networks (DNs). Please ensure to be qualified before applying, as ineligible candidates cannot be considered.



- Admission to the program is open to applicants who hold a 2nd Level Master Degree (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a bachelor degree) or a Single Cycle Degree (minimum 300 ECTS), or a comparable university degree (Second Cycle qualification), as required by the partner universities for admission to doctoral studies.

- At the time of recruitment applicants must not have been awarded a doctorate.

- At the time of recruitment applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before their recruitment date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

- Applicant must be able to communicate fluently in English (at least B2-level speaking and writing).

Salary Benefits:

We offer you, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:



- A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working fee.

- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus.

- A full-time position (1.0 FTE). The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years.

- Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.

- A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

38 hours per week

Broerstraat 5