Vacancies

Fluid dynamics of microplastics: fiber-flow interaction simulations to reduce plastic microfiber pollutant release 

Job description

Increasing scientific evidence and public awareness of risks from micro-plastics mean that new technologies are urgently needed to limit micro-plastics release in the aquatic environment. A large contribution to micro-plastics pollution comes from microfibers released from clothes in our washing machines, which cannot be completely filtered with current methods. We are working with an industrial partner to find a solution to the problem.

In this project, the PhD researcher will develop high-resolution simulations to investigate numerically the interaction of model fibers with the complex geometry of mesh-based filters.  The simulations will initially focus on single fibers interacting with curved solid walls. The simulations will be carried out with an immersed boundary method, using an appropriate "slender body" approximation for the fibers. Later the PhD student will investigate many fibers, assessing the effects of spontaneous fiber curvature, flexibility and multi-fiber interactions. Part of the project is also the development of analytical one-dimensional filtration models that take into account poly-dispersity in fiber length and stiffness. The research group in which the PhD will work has developed codes for flexible particles (Salussolia, G., et al. "Simulation of interacting elastic sheets in shear flow: Insights into buckling, sliding, and reassembly of graphene nanosheets in sheared liquids." Physics of Fluids 34.5 (2022) and has almost 20 years of experience in the simulation of multiphase systems.

Developing the simulations will require a good understanding of fluid dynamics and numerical discretisation methods, so any prior research experience in these areas will be valuable. Furthermore, the PhD student will interact with other PhD students (also team members in the project) who will be carrying out experiments for validation, as well as with the industrial partner of the project. Therefore, the ability to communicate effectively and interact in a workgroup is highly valued. Most important is the student's motivation to use fluid dynamics knowledge to contribute solving an important societal challenge.

The preferred start date is September 2024.

The work will be carried out in the Process & Energy Department of TU Delft, within the research group of Dr. Lorenzo Botto. For information about Botto's research group and his scientific output, see https://bottogroup.wordpress.com/publications/. For information about the Process & Energy Department, see https://www.tudelft.nl/me/over/afdelingen/process-energy. The project is done in collaboration with Burak Eral, Process & Energy Department (https://erallab.com/index.php/burak-eral/) and Valeria Garbin, Chemical Engineering Department (https://www.tudelft.nl/tnw/over-faculteit/afdelingen/chemical-engineering/principal-investigators/valeria-garbin), who will supervise the experimental parts of the project.

Requirements

• MSc degree in physics, engineering, mathematics or related areas. The MSc degree should have been awarded by the start of the PhD project.
• A solid background in fluid dynamics, as evidenced by academic courses as well as research reports and papers (even unpublished).
• Some experience with coding in a modern programming language and an interest in using computers for scientific discovery. Having attended courses in numerical methods is a plus.
• Good scientific communication and writing skills.

The applicant should be open to collaboration, as the project requires coordination and synergy with other team members and external partners.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Read more and apply online.