Job description

We are looking for a candidate to study a novel pathway in organo-synthetic waste utilization by microwave plasma technology. The research will be performed in collaboration between PLASMANT (Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine, University of Antwerp) and RUPT (Research Unit Plasma Technology, Ghent University), Belgium.

The position will focus on studying microwave thermal plasma in the content of complex waste utilization and transfer the waste to valuable products. The work consists of modelling the MW reactor and plasma behavior, and chemical kinetics of MW plasma, coupled with optical emission diagnostics of the plasma properties, and gas phase analysis of the stable products. The candidate will work as a joint PhD student between Ghent University and University of Antwerp, and in cooperation with Institute of Plasma Physics, Prague.

The overall goal of the SUSPLASM project is to design and develop innovative, sustainable, fully electrified, green advanced thermal plasma-based gasification with zero or even negative CO2 footprint for the treatment of challenging waste streams containing complex organic pollutants and (micro)plastics. The main purpose of plasma gasification of complexed organic waste is to produce syngas, a valuable precursor to different renewable chemicals and fuels. This is a radical difference with combustion (incineration) where the main purpose is material decomposition to CO2 and water with no added value foreseen. Although non-plasma gasification technologies also enjoy the advantage of producing syngas, such processes are constrained by the fact that they are unsuitable for removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants or synthetic materials, whereas plasma technology has the benefit of combining both the removal of pollutants and producing valorisable off-gas.The latter can be used as a renewable source of H2 and CO for the synthesis of valuable chemicals and materials, the reduction of iron in steel manufacturing, and the production of fertilizer, combined with the recovery of value-added inorganic substances such as phosphorus (i.e. combined valorisation of waste energy and materials). The potential of thermal plasma technology is groundbreaking and attractive because it contributes to a circular economy model, in which value can be assigned to waste, while at the same time producing syngas and using a technology that perfectly matches clean, renewable energy.
SUSPLASM is a joint initiative of partners from Ghent University, University of Antwerp, and Institute of Plasma Physics, Prague, with the intention to establish a new technology in the field of thermal plasma processing of complex organic waste streams with zero or even negative CO2 footprint and synthesis of valuable chemicals, and the production of syngas to feed the growing demand of the hydrogen chemistry economy. The main objective of this multidisciplinary project is the experimental and computational (through plasma chemistry and reactor modelling) investigation of possible approaches to process complex organic waste streams with the aid of plasma high-temperature gasification for the generation of syngas as a valuable chemical.

ABOUT THE RESEARCH UNIT PLASMA TECHNOLOGY
RUPT has built up recognized expertise in the field of cold atmospheric pressure plasmas. The successful development of different plasma concepts has launched RUPT into numerous interdisciplinary collaborations exploring a wide range of applications in environmental technology and materials science with Plasma for waste management and green technology considered as strategic extensions to explore new plasma physics.
ABOUT THE Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine
The research group PLASMANT focuses on plasmas for various applications, with most emphasis on sustainable chemistry/electrification and medical applications. The group’s expertise is distributed towards experimental research using different types of plasma reactors (gliding arc, arc, microwave plasmas, glow discharges and dielectric barrier discharges), as well as modelling of the plasma chemistry, plasma reactor design and plasma-catalyst interactions. The plasma chemistry is modelled by chemical kinetics models, involving large chemistries and many different plasma species (including electrons, various molecules (in ground state and vibrationally and electronically excited states), various ions and radicals. Plasma reactor design modelling is performed by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, coupling the gas flow and plasma description, in 3D and 2D.

Job profile

We are looking for candidates with an MSc degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, physics or applied physics. A good background in CFD and chemical modelling, plasma physics. The candidate will be able to gain experience in the areas of plasma modeling, chemical engineering, and plasma technology. The candidate is required to demonstrate English language proficiency at the latest upon enrolment at level B2.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Work for an interdisciplinary project on cutting edge science; international recognized teams; access to state of the art equipment and modelling packages.
• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/04/2025 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

How to apply

APPLICATION:
Please send to: Prof. Annemie Bogaerts (Annemie.Bogaerts@uantwerpen.be ) and Dr. Karen Leus (Karen.Leus@ugent.be):

• CV (with publication list, if available, and contact details of 3 referees)
• Motivation letter
• Official proof of English language skills

Before February 28