Individual research projects
University of Calabria (ITALY)
roviel.zegeye@unical.it
I received both my Bachelor's and Master's degree in chemical engineering from AASTU (Ethiopia). During a six-months internship at Addis Pharmaceutical Factory, I gained valuable hands-on experience in wastewater treatment methods, fostering a keen interest in membrane separation technologies. My Master's thesis, focusing on ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from ocimum lamiifolium earned acclaim for its robust antibacterial properties and efficient extraction methods. Additionally, my role as a lab assistant and contributor to the project "Production of Green Olea Vera Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Immobilized on Diatomite" ignited my passion for enhancing filtration efficiency using nanoparticles. I am motivated by a strong desire to address global challenges in water, energy, and mineral recovery in my enrolment in the EXBRINER programme. I aim to contribute significantly to the field and make a lasting impact on the scientific community. My background, coupled with the multidisciplinary approach of the program, positions me to meet my expectations.
Individual Research Project n.1
Building and running a lab-scale prototype of the integrated membrane system for water, energy and mineral recovery; evaluate the economic potential of the recovered minerals.
University of L’Aquila (ITALY)
tsotne.dadiani@univaq.it
After I graduated from Tbilisi State University and received my Bachelor's diploma with honors, I pursued a Master's diploma at the same university with the same professor Alexander Shengelaya, who has expertise in Supercundocturs. My work in the Lab was mostly dedicated to producing new high-critical temperature superconducting materials with new methods and also already existing superconducting materials but differently and more efficiently. The research involved different experimental techniques such as XRD, SEM, and SPS but also several other laboratory skills which are vital for every researcher in different disciplines. During my master's, I have been also working at the Andronikashvili Physics Institute this meant having lots of communication with other Professors which really opened the door for my curiosity. This eventually led me to nanoparticles and their usage in different fields, ultimately arriving with membranes. Huge benefits from water declination for our environment met my interest in being part of a very important mission which is taking care of our planet. At the end of the Doctoral Programme, I expect, from me, to have meaningful data, which could be useful for further development on an industrial scale.
Individual Research Project n.2
Preparation of low cost and high throughput novel self-heating membranes under light irradiation, exploiting the photothermal effect of 2D nanosheets (graphene, transition-metal dichalcogenides and heterostructures) using non-toxic or green solvents by phase-inversion methods.
INSA Toulouse (FRANCE)
chimanlal@insa-toulouse.fr
I hold a master's degree by research (cum laude) from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. I completed the degree in June 2023. My research topic involved the evaluation of membrane crystallization for the recovery of freshwater and minerals from acid mine drainage. I also produced three published articles from my research. The motivation for my current research is to develop and expand the knowledge surrounding solar membrane distillation, as I believe that it will provide various benefits for the environment. I am passionate about the environment and I believe that there is great value in sustainable engineering for the future. My expectations for this degree are that I would like to improve my skills as a researcher and to cultivate my curiosity in the topic. I would also like to use the opportunity to learn new things and to improve myself wholistically. Moreover, I would like to engage with other students and researchers and to create connections and professional relationships and to be exposed to different labs during the mobilities.
Individual Research Project n.3
Design, manufacturing and testing of innovative solar-powered MD modules and the whole system for brine concentration (monovalent streamline) by integrating microporous hydrophobic membranes and direct solar heating in the same module.
Aalborg Universitet (DENMARK)
asifsaud@bio.aau.dk
I studied at Aligarh Muslim University in India, where I completed my MSc in Industrial Chemistry. Currently, I am enrolled as a PhD student at Aalborg University. Being selected for this position is a fortune I deeply cherish, and I eagerly anticipate diving deeper into my research. I am particularly excited about contributing to the EXBRINER project, which aims to revolutionize the field of mineral crystallization from brine. This project not only aligns with my academic pursuits but also promises to be a significant stride in the realm of desalination technologies. I am confident that this PhD will significantly broaden my perspective, allowing me to think critically and explore innovative solutions in desalination and beyond.
Individual Research Project n.4
Photothermal Membrane Crystallization for the recovery of MgSO4·7H2O from NF brine under solar radiation at concentration factor≥10; 2) Integrating Donnan Dialysis and reactive crystallization to produce: i) Mg(OH)2 from NF retentate; ii) LiCO3 salt from Vacuum Membrane Distillation brine.
KULEUVEN (BELGIUM)
muhammadahsan.khan@kuleuven.be
I have done my Msc in membrane technology where i was doing a comparative study on different structural modifications of thin film composite membranes. I studied the effect of addition of nanoparticles in the active layer of the membrane and also by adding the nanoparticles in an interlayer between the active and support layer and the effect of this on the membrane performance. I have seen that the water resource is a major problem in the world and that it can be exploited in many ways like resource recoveries etc so I have wanted to work in a field where i could be working actively on this matter rather than working on the theoretical part that does not have a real impact on the real world problems.
Individual Research Project n.5
Development of highly selective Nanofiltration (NF) by novel high-performance electrically charged thin-film nanocomposite polyamide membranes embedding metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (SPAIN)
anastassia.mariah.nunes@upc.edu
The Master’s degree allowed me to have great experiences in the electrodialysis field with the recovery of metals from secondary sources, reflecting on the circular economy and how to contribute to the environment. Within this context, the membrane separation technology made me brighten my eyes, because there was a possibility to discover new solutions for environmental problems. Therefore, I discovered the EXBRINER MSCA, which made me want to learn deeply about the new possibilities that contribute to society in the membranes field. I hope that I can develop my personal and professional abilities. The EXBRINER MSCA offers excellent objectives.
Individual Research Project n.6
Produce NaOH and HCl from a NaCl-rich brine by BPED; development of new bipolar membranes with low electrical resistance and increased chemical stability in alkaline/acidic environment.
University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (VSCHT)
Federico.Dei.Sommi@vscht.cz
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Energy Engineering and then my master’s degree in Renewable Energy Systems at Politecnico di Torino. In my studies and in my life, I have always been interested in sustainability and green technologies and that’s the main reason why I enrolled in the EXBRINER programme. I think that the aims of the project are very important, and I would like to give my contribution. In a future where the desalination will be more and more used, with the consequent increased production of brine, and the demand for minerals, such as Lithium, will increase to permit the deployment of green technologies based on them, the results expected by EXBRINER will be fundamental. Personally, I expect to give a tangible contribution to the programme and, at the same time, to improve my hard and soft skills in research, to be ready for an eventual continuance in this field.
Individual Research Project n.7
Development of low-resistance/high-permselectivity Cation Exchange Membranes
Universidade Nova de Lisboa (PORTUGAL)
m.venu@campus.fct.unl.pt
I have done Master´s in Nanoscience from Central University in India. My thesis work revolved around colorimetric and electrochemical biosensing application of nanoparticles. The application was derived after thorough analysis of the synthesized nanoparticle using several characterization techniques (UV, FTIR, TEM, FESEM, XRD etc). It was continued by a project which involved catalyst synthesis for thermochemical CO2 reduction into value added products. My PhD work is going to be a continuation of my venture in electrochemistry, but the spotlight shifting from catalyst to the membrane, this time. I'm excited to explore the arena of CFD and 3d printing which I believe would be the perfect aid for my Reverse Electrodialysis studies. I hope I can put forward a notable contribution in the field and have a wonderful PhD journey filled with scientific insights and memories along with the MSCA-DN “EXBRINER” group.
Individual Research Project n.8
Assess the potential of Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) in harvesting salinity gradient energy of the monovalent brine and sea/brackish/river water. Development of profiled membranes using 3D printing technology. Optimization of stack channels’ geometry based on CFD studies. Development and validation of on-line monitoring of fouling of RED membranes.
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ITALY)
as.embaye@itm.cnr.it
I completed my BSc in Biological and Chemical Engineering from Mekelle Institute of Technology-Mekelle University (MIT-MU), Ethiopia, and pursued a master’s in Erasmus Mundus Master in Membrane Engineering for a Sustainable World (EM3E-4SW). The EXBRIBER project captivates me as it offers a chance to contribute to the Circular Blue Industry by developing sustainable membrane technologies for the exploitation of desalination brine. Collaborating with academia and industry, I aim to advance as a researcher in this field. For my PhD, I’ll explore membrane stability against fouling, driven by a passion for sustainable solutions.
Individual Research Project n.9
Investigation on: i) insurgence of scaling and organic fouling in membranes; ii) retention and selection of microorganisms (including cyanobacteria) at the surface of membranes in relation with operating conditions (eg., salinity, temperature, pretreatment steps), evaluating the effect of both physico-chemical and structural properties of the membranes in relation to extracellular substances secreted by microorganisms.
Italian Institute of Technology (ITALY)
Maria.Iliopoulou@iit.it
The topic of my MSc research was the development of structural clues to uranium(VI)/vanadium(IV/V) competition in seawater extraction of uranium using amidoxime-based extractants. Seven, unknown until now, compounds were synthesized and characterized using single-crystal XRD and the spectroscopic techniques IR, Raman, UV/Vis and 1H NMR. During my MSc studies, I came to realize that research is what I wish to pursue further on. Achieving a sustainable, “greener” future is essential for humanity’s survival and well-being. This may be accomplished through respectful and collaborative efforts, in which I aspire to be a part of, throughout my PhD journey. Both my motivation and expectations are to expand my knowledge and grow as a person and therefore as a scientist.
Individual Research Project n.10
Advanced morphological/ structural/chemical/ mechanical /thermal characterization platform of the developed inks and membranes.
General offer description
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network HORIZON – MSCA – 2021 – DN EXBRINER is designed with the ambition to provide high level training to a talented cohort of 10 Doctoral Candidates who will work in a multidisciplinary environment with the aim to develop next-generation membrane technologies for sustainable exploitation of desalination brine resources, thus accelerating the transition towards a Circular Blue Industry.
EXBRINER is implemented through a cross-sectoral Network, composed by 8 European Universities, 3 Research Centers and 4 leading Industrial Companies from 8 EU Countries, all with recognized excellence in the field of membrane engineering.
Università della Calabria- Department of Environmental Engineering (ITALY), Università degli Studi dell’Aquila- Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences & Department of Industrial Engineering (ITALY), Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Toulouse- National Institute for Applied Sciences (FRANCE), Aalborg Universitet- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience (DENMARK), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven- Department of Chemical Engineering (BELGIUM), Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya- Department of Chemical Engineering (SPAIN), Vysoka Skola Chemicko - Technologicka v Praze- Department of Inorganic Technology (CZECHIA), Universidade Nova de Lisboa- Department of Chemistry (PORTUGAL), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche- Institute on Membrane Technology (ITALY), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia- Italian Institute of Technology (ITALY)
Associated partners for training and/or secondments activities
GVS S.p.A.(ITALY), PCCell GmbH (GERMANY), FCC AQUALIA SA (SPAIN), POLYMEM SA (FRANCE), POLITECNICO DI MILANO (ITALY)
The doctoral programme EXBRINER is built on three main pillars:
- Design next-generation functional membrane materials for hypersaline brine treatment;
- Implement membrane-based crystallization techniques for recovery of minerals;
- Develop innovative electrochemical membrane processes for brine valorization and energy generation.
Doctoral Candidates will attend: i) laboratory-based Training through Research; ii)advanced scientific and technical courses in membrane engineering delivered at Network Meetings and EXBRINER Schools; iii) soft and transferable skill courses.
Doctoral candidates will undertake three mandatory secondments – each with a two-monthly duration - including one at an industrial Associated Partner. The maximum duration of a Doctoral Candidate's contract is 36 months.
Benefits
MSCA-DN programme offers attractive salary and working conditions.
The gross salary will include a monthly gross living allowance ranging from 2,689.40 Eur to 4,488.00 Eur, complemented by a monthly gross mobility allowance of 600.00 Eur.
Family allowance and special needs allowance will be added if applicable.
Academic and Industrial partners of the EXBRINER Consortium boast world-class research infrastructures and training facilities for proper implementation of each Individual Research Projects. All Doctoral Candidates will be exposed to inter-sectoral secondments with the aim to promote cross-fertilization originated from the interdisciplinary combinations of different knowledge and technologies.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must hold a 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification).
Specific requirements on disciplinary fields are detailed for each Individual Research Project.
Very good written and oral communication skills in English are necessary.
Strict eligibility requirements for a Doctoral Candidate position in a MSCA-DN programme include:
- the applicant should not have resided or performed their main activity (work, studies etc.) in the country of the host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 year period immediately prior to the start date of the PhD research;
- the applicant should be in their early research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctorate.
Ineligible candidates will be not considered for the selection procedure.
Application procedure
Please check a specific Individual Research Project for information about the relevant Call for Application.
In addition to completing the application form required by a specific Call for Application, the applicant must provide the following documents:
- copy of the first two and last two pages of the Passport or – for EU citizens - of the Identity Card;
- copy of academic qualification(s)/parchment(s) – in original language and translated in English (or in the national language of the recruiting Higher Education Institution) – clearly stating the name of the University issuing the degree, the date of graduation, the final score; copies of official transcripts (mark sheets) of academic courses attended to obtain each degree (BSc, MSc or equivalent) - in original language and translated in English (or in the national language of the recruiting Higher Education Institution) – and corresponding Grade Point Average; any other document considered useful (e.g. University Diploma Supplement) to assess the eligibility of the University Degree - in original language and translated in English (or in the national language of the recruiting Higher Education Institution);
- Signed Curriculum Vitae, in English, detailing academic studies, professional career, publications and other relevant achievements;
- Signed Letter of Motivation, in English, covering the following aspects: reasons for applying to the PhD position, skills and abilities that make the applicant a good candidate, motivations to carry out research abroad, professional interests and expectations. Maximum one page.
- Max two Reference Letters, in English, printed on letterhead and duly signed;
- Concise recognition on the state-of-the-art (3,000-4,000 characters), in English, on the topic addressed by the Individual Research Project;
- Any additional qualification or documentation, in English, deemed useful for the selection procedure.
Selection procedure
The selection procedure, made on the basis of pre-defined, fair transparent and objective evaluation criteria, will include two steps:
- Assessment of Qualifications (eligibility check, ranking lists of all eligible applicants);
- Interview of shortlisted applicants (in English, in presence or in video-call).
Recognition and evaluation of qualifications will focus on judging the achievements of the person rather than his/her circumstances or the reputation of the Institution where the qualifications were gained.
Previous mobility experiences will be recognized as a valuable contribution to the professional development of a researcher.
Career breaks due to maternity will not be penalized.
Gender equality in recruitment will be promoted.
All Partners have adopted accessibility measures for candidates with special needs in order to encourage their application to EXBRINER Programme.
Website for additional info: https://exbriner.unical.it
Individual Research Project n.1
| Title | Prototyping & Digital Twin, exergo-economic analysis and Life Cycle Assessment of the integrated membrane system |
| Code | EXBRINER-01_UNICAL |
| Required Academic Qualification | 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering or pertinent fields. Fluency in English – written and oral. |
| Objectives | Building and running a lab-scale prototype of the integrated membrane system for water, energy and mineral recovery; evaluate the economic potential of the recovered minerals. |
| Methodological approach | 1) Assembling and operating a hybrid Photothermal Membrane Distillation/Donnan Dialysis-Crystallization/Reverse Electrodialysis-Bipolar Membrane-assisted Electrolysis system, operated with real seawater Reverse-Osmosis brine; 2) Digitalization of the integrated system via modelling and simulation to enable its optimization through data analytics from experimental data; 3) Energy-Exergy and Cost Analysis; 4) Life Cycle Assessment. Specific metrics of performance will be defined according to Process Intensification strategy and Circular Economy paradigm. |
| Home Institution | UNIVERSITA’ DELLA CALABRIA (Department of Environmental Engineering). PhD School in Science and Engineering of the Environment, Construction and Energy (SIACE) |
| Supervisor(s) | Prof. Efrem Curcio, Prof. Sergio Santoro |
| Secondments | Aalborg Universitet (Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Prof. Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen): analysis of data on mineral recovery.
Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (Department of Chemical Engineering, Prof. Jose Luis Cortina): analysis of data on energy consumption/generation from electro-membrane processes.
FCC AQUALIA SA (Dr. Juan Arévalo Vilches): market potential of EXBRINER approach at industrial level. |
| Typology of Contract | Direct contract with benefits, including social security coverage and welfare treatment (also during periods of secondment), equivalent to a contract for collaboration in research activities. |
| Starting date | May 1, 2023 (preferred) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | Living allowance: 3,311.60 Eur Mobility allowance: 600.00 Eur Family allowance and special needs allowance will be added if applicable |
| Contact(s) | efrem.curcio@unical.it; sergio.santoro@unical.it |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | Call for application: Application procedure: (first step: Menu -> Registration) Call on Euraxess: Application Guidelines: |
| Application Deadline | March 24, 2023 |
Individual Research Project n.2
| Title | Next-generation sunlight absorbing photothermal membranes by optically resonant plasmonic excitations in 2D materials |
| Code | EXBRINER-02_UNIVAQ |
| Required Academic Qualification | The position requires a master’s degree in Physics or related subjects and an excellent knowledge of Surface Science and, more generally, of two-dimensional and topological materials, liquid-phase exfoliation, nanoscience, synchrotron light, and electron spectroscopies (in particular, XPS, EELS, ARPES), both for in situ experiments in ultra-high vacuum (for which vacuum technology skills will be required), and in operando conditions. The candidate will also have to demonstrate knowledge of software for advanced data processing and show aptitude for teamwork. A good knowledge of written and spoken English is required. |
| Objectives | Preparation of low cost and high throughput novel self-heating membranes under light irradiation, exploiting the photothermal effect of 2D nanosheets (graphene, transition-metal dichalcogenides and heterostructures) using non-toxic or green solvents by phase-inversion methods. |
| Methodological approach | 1) Formulation of exfoliated (Liquid-Phase Exfoliation in non-toxic solvents), solution-processed 2D materials into functional inks, optimization of surfactants and co-solvents; 2) Preparation of hybrid-composite membranes by: (i) deposition via spray coating; (ii) layer-by-layer 3D printing (LBL); (iii) self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) and atomic layer deposition (ALD); (iv) phase separation from blends of inks and polymers; 3) Evaluation of photothermal evaporation rate under solar irradiation. |
| Home Institution | Università degli Studi dell’Aquila (Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences) |
| Supervisor(s) | Prof. Antonio Politano |
| Secondments | Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Dr. Despina Fragouli): Advanced characterization methods for light-trapping ability, and effectiveness of heat localization with minimal energy loss.
AALBORG UNIVERSITET (DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOSCIENCE, Prof. Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen): Optimization in Photothermal Membrane Distillation-Crystallization tests for Mg recovery.
GVS S.p.A. (Dr. Roberto Conti): evaluation of scale-up procedures in industrial membrane-preparation facilities. |
| Typology of Contract | Research employment contract |
| Starting date | May, 2nd 2023 (preferred) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | The successful candidate will receive a gross living allowance per year of € 39739.20 (including income tax and retirement pension contribution). This amount is subject to INPS (Social Security Service) contributions amounting to 35.03 % for the year 2022 of which 11.677 % is to be paid by the grant beneficiary. The successful candidate will also receive a mobility allowance of € 7200.00 per year and a family allowance (depending on family status at the date of recruitment) of € 5940.00 per year. |
| Contact(s) | antonio.politano@univaq.it |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | Call for application: To apply for the position, fill the application form at https://pica.cineca.it/univaq/dott38-sfc-exbriner/ before the deadline Euraxess link: |
| Application Deadline | March 24, 2023 |
Individual Research Project n.3
| Title | Design of innovative solar powered Vacuum Membrane Distillation (VMD) modules and energy efficient system |
| Code | EXBRINER-03_INSA |
| Required Academic Qualification | 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Environmental EngineeringorEnergetic engineering. Research experience on membrane processes and/or thermal and solar processes will be appreciated. Skills and motivation on modelling and process optimization, as well as in experimentation Interest for technological developments and building prototypes. Fluency in English – written and oral. |
| Objectives | Design, manufacturing and testing of innovative solar-powered MD modules and the whole system for brine concentration (monovalent streamline) by integrating microporous hydrophobic membranes and direct solar heating in the same module. |
| Methodological approach | 1) Designing an intensified membrane module coupling VMD and solar collector for a better use of heat for the treatment of brines, based on simulation, prototyping and testing; 2) Evaluating system performances (productivity, energy consumption) and improving global energy efficiency by heat recovery and storage; 3) Evaluating the extent of wetting in hypersaline brines as a function of module design, operating parameters of the different units that compose the system (module, vacuum system, condenser, heat recovery system) and properties of the concentrated. |
| Home Institution | The Doctoral Candidate will be recruited at the National Institute for Applied Science (INSA Toulouse; http://www.insatoulouse.fr) from Toulouse Federal University (France). |
| Supervisor(s) | Prof. Corinne Cabassud |
| Secondments | POLYMEM SA (Dr. Olivier Lorain): Technical feasibility of envisioned modules, selection of appropriate materials and properties for module.
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Istituto per la Tecnologia delle Membrane, Dr. Loredana De Bartolo): Assess long-term stability of membranes against fouling.
AALBORG UNIVERSITET (DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOSCIENCE, Prof. Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen): Characterize the properties of hypersaline brines after MD and the influence of MD concentration on the performances of the next stage/Donnan Dialysis. |
| Typology of Contract | Employment contract from INSA Toulouse for a full-time position of doctoral research engineer under public French law for 36 months, with a monthly salary. |
| Starting date | 1 June 2023 ( or 1 September 2023 for students who obtained their MSc in June 2023) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | According to the rules of the MSCA Doctoral Networks, which equals in France a monthly gross salary of 2619 € (including social benefits and health insurance) + 600 € for mobility allowance. An additional family allowance is eligible when the researcher has a family upon recruitment. |
| Contact(s) | cabassud@insa-toulouse.fr |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | On Euraxess: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/45491
Please send all the documents together in one PDF file, with file name «last_name_first name » by e-mail to Prof. Corinne Cabassud : cabassud@insa-toulouse.fr |
| Application Deadline | 24/03/2023 |
Individual Research Project n.4
| Title | Membrane-based crystallization technologies for Magnesium and Lithium recovery from desalination brine |
| Code | EXBRINER-04_AAU |
| 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Chemical Engineering or pertinent fields. | |
| Objectives | Photothermal Membrane Crystallization for the recovery of MgSO4·7H2O from NF brine under solar radiation at concentration factor≥10; 2) Integrating Donnan Dialysis and reactive crystallization to produce: i) Mg(OH)2 from NF retentate; ii) LiCO3 salt from Vacuum Membrane Distillation brine. |
| Methodological approach | 1) Characterization of the thermodynamic speciation of the multi-ion system, providing a modelling platform for chemical conditions (pH, concentration factor, temperature) and operational pathway through metastable zone width where crystallization takes place; 2) Development of in-situ monitoring system comprising of advanced particle view microscope (PVM) to acquire information about the kinetics of crystals formation at the photothermal membrane surface under solar irradiation as a function of supersaturation; 3) Donnan Dialysis tests for selective extraction of Magnesium from NF retentate and of Lithium from VMD retentate, followed by reactive crystallization induced by NaOH and/or carbonate species. |
| Home Institution | Aalborg Universitet (Department of Chemistry and Bioscience). Doctoral School of Engineering and Science |
| Supervisor(s) | Prof. Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen |
| Secondments | Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Department of Chemical Engineering, Prof. Bart Van der Bruggen): Design of an efficient softening strategy for scaling mitigation at highly concentrated alkaline-heart-metals brine.
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Istituto per la Tecnologia delle Membrane, Dr. Loredana De Bartolo): Assess long-term stability of membranes against fouling.
FCC AQUALIA SA (Dr. Juan Arévalo Vilches): Technology scale-up and market potential at industrial level. |
| Typology of Contract | Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 28 June 2019 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities |
| Starting date | DD/MM/YYYY |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | Living allowance: 4,488.00 Eur Mobility allowance: 600.00 Eur Family allowance and special needs allowance will be added if applicable |
| Contact(s) | cejna@bio.aau.dk |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | https://www.stillinger.aau.dk/vis-stilling/?vacancy=1207016 For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Vigdis Skomager-Bohnfeldt, The Doctoral School at The Faculty of Engineering and Science, email: vkns@adm.aau.dk, phone: +45 9940 7408. Call on Euraxess |
| Application Deadline | 02/04/2023 |
Individual Research Project n.5
| Title | Development of high-selectivity polyamide/MOFs thin film Nanofiltration for monovalent/multivalent ion separation |
| Code | EXBRINER-05_KULEUVEN |
| Required Academic Qualification | 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Chemical Engineering. |
| Objectives | Development of highly selective Nanofiltration (NF) by novel high-performance electrically charged thin-film nanocomposite polyamide membranes embedding metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). |
| Methodological approach | 1) Optimization of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) for incorporating MOFs into polyamide layer; 2) Transfer of nanofillers or modified hydrophilic ZIF nanoparticles dispersed in aqueous solution containing piperazine onto membrane surface via vacuum filtration, followed by interfacial polymerization; 3) Analysis of filtration performance (transmembrane flux, rejection selectivity to monovalent/multivalent ions). |
| Home Institution | Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Department of Chemical Engineering). PhD School: Arenberg Doctoral School |
| Supervisor(s) | Prof. Bart Van der Bruggen |
| Secondments | Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Istituto per la Tecnologia delle Membrane, Dr. Loredana De Bartolo): Assess long-term stability of membranes against fouling.
Vysoka Skola Chemicko-Technologicka v Praze (Department of Inorganic Technology, Prof. Karel Bouzek): Modelling ion transport properties in hypersaline solutions.
FCC AQUALIA SA (Dr. Juan Arévalo Vilches): Performance validation in real Seawater Reverse osmosis brine, evaluation of market potential. |
| Typology of Contract | Employment contract |
| Starting date | Preferred starting date: 1 April 2023 |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | Living allowance: 3,400.00 Eur Mobility allowance: 600.00 Eur Family allowance and special needs allowance will be added if applicable |
| Contact(s) | Prof. dr. ir. Bart Van der Bruggen tel.: +32 16 32 23 40 email: bart.vanderbruggen@kuleuven.be |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | Call for application: Online application tool: Call on Euraxess |
| Application Deadline | 15th February 2023 |
| Starting date | Preferred starting date: 1 April 2023 |
Individual Research Project n.6
| Title | Bipolar Membrane Electrodialysis (BPED) for NaOH/HCl circular production |
| Code | EXBRINER-06_UPC |
| 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Energetic engineering or related fields. | |
| Objectives | Produce NaOH and HCl from a NaCl-rich brine by BPED; development of new bipolar membranes with low electrical resistance and increased chemical stability in alkaline/acidic environment. |
| Methodological approach | 1) Evaluation of the current efficiency and conversion rate in chlor-alkali process for NaCl synthetic and real multicomponent brines (commercial membranes supplied by PCCell); 2) Determination of the degree of salt leakage across membranes by voltammetry; 3) Optimization of BPED energy consumption as a function of the initial salt/acid/base concentration and current density via response surface methodology. |
| Home Institution | Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (Department of Chemical Engineering) PhD School in Chemical Process Engineering. |
| Supervisor(s) | Prof. Jose Luis Cortina; Dr. César Valderrama |
| Secondments | VYSOKA SKOLA CHEMICKO-TECHNOLOGICKA V PRAZE (DEPARTMENT OF INORGANIC TECHNOLOGY, Prof. Karel Bouzek): Modelling of the synthesis stage of NaOH and HCl by BPED.
Università della Calabria (Department of Environmental Engineering, Prof. Efrem Curcio): Evaluation of energy requirement by BPED.
PCCell GmbH (Dr. Patrick Altmeier): Technology scale-up and market potential at industrial level. |
| Typology of Contract | Employment contract |
| Starting date | 1/4/2023 (preferred) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | Living allowance: 3,104.20 Eur Mobility allowance: 600.00 Eur Family allowance and special needs allowance will be added if applicable |
| Contact(s) | cesar.alberto.valderrama@upc.edu ; jose.luis.cortina@upc.edu |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/69246 |
| Application Deadline | 07/03/2023 |
Individual Research Project n.7
| Title | Development of low-resistance/high-permselectivity Cation Exchange Membranes - CEMs |
| Code | EXBRINER-07_VSCHT |
| 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Chemical Engineering, Macromolecular Chemistry, Physical Chemistry or pertinent fields. | |
| Objectives | Development of novel high permselective and low-resistance membranes made by sulfonated thin film incorporating MOFs highly selective to monovalent alkali metal ions, including Lithium. |
| Methodological approach | 1) Optimization of the sulfonation degree - determined by elemental analysis and 1H NMR - of polymers as a function of mechanical properties and permselectivity after preparing mixed matrix membrane via phase inversion method by blending MOFs in polymer-solvent-[co-colvent] solution; 2) Modelling of electrically-driven ions transport through charged membranes: Donnan potential, Nernst-Planck equation for the ionic flux, transport numbers, resistance of boundary layers, ion selectivity etc. coupled with experimental determination of ohmic/non-ohmic resistances at high salinity by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy; 3) comparative permselectivity tests against commercial CEMs. |
| Home Institution | VYSOKA SKOLA CHEMICKO-TECHNOLOGICKA V PRAZE (DEPARTMENT OF INORGANIC TECHNOLOGY) PhD School in Inorganic Technology. |
| Supervisor(s) | Prof. Karel Bouzek, Dr. Jaromír Hnát, Dr. Roman Kodým |
| Secondments | AALBORG UNIVERSITET (DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOSCIENCE, Prof. Cejna Anna Quist-Jensen): Donnan Dialysis diffusion tests on Li+ ion separation.
PCCell GmbH (Dr. Patrick Altmeier): RED/ED tests on pilot-scale facilities, evaluating market potential against commercial benchmarks.
Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Department of Chemistry, Prof. Joao G. Crespo): Reverse Electrodialysis tests on Salinity Gradient Power generation |
| Typology of Contract | Employment contract, including health insurance and social security coverage (also during periods of secondment). |
| Starting date | 1st of April, 2024 (preferred) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | Gross monthly salary: 2 458,45 EUR (including living allowance and mobility allowance) Family allowance and special needs allowance will be added if applicable |
| Contact(s) | Karel.Bouzek@vscht.cz, hnatj@vscht.cz |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | Call on Euraxess: Where to apply |
| Application Deadline | 31/01/2024 |
Individual Research Project n.8
| Title | Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) to harvest Salinity Gradient Power from desalination brine |
| Code | EXBRINER-08_NOVA |
| 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Chemical Engineering or related fields. | |
| Objectives | Assess the potential of Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) in harvesting salinity gradient energy of the monovalent brine and sea/brackish/river water. Development of profiled membranes using 3D printing technology. Optimization of stack channels’ geometry based on CFD studies. Development and validation of on-line monitoring of fouling of RED membranes. |
| Methodological approach | 1) Evaluation of internal and the ohmic resistance of the RED stack by chronopotentiometry, measurement of open circuit voltage/power density (gross-net) as a function of current density for feed solutions pairs at different salinity, feed flowrate, temperature; 2) Development of methods to prepare profiled membranes by 3D printing, either directly, either by preparation of supports/molds with a low cost; 3) Optimization of fluid distribution in RED stacks based on CFD simulations; 4) Development of monitoring methods and molecular probes for on-line tracking of fouling onset and development. |
| Home Institution | Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Engineering |
| Supervisor(s) | Dr. Claudia F. Galinha; Prof. João G. Crespo |
| Secondments | VYSOKA SKOLA CHEMICKO-TECHNOLOGICKA V PRAZE (DEPARTMENT OF INORGANIC TECHNOLOGY, Prof. Karel Bouzek): testing of novel highly permselective ion-exchange membranes.
Università della Calabria (Department of Environmental Engineering, Prof. Efrem Curcio): Analysis of operative parameters on RED performance in terms of net power density generated.
PCCell GmbH (Dr. Patrick Altmeier): Technology scale-up and market potential at industrial level. |
| Typology of Contract | Unfixed term employment contract entered into in accordance with the Portuguese Labour Code. |
| Starting date | Preferred until 01/05/2023 |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | Living allowance: 1819.38 Eur Mobility allowance: 490.60 Eur Family allowance and special needs allowance will be added if applicable |
| Contact(s) | cf.galinha@fct.unl.pt ; jgc@fct.unl.pt |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | he application should be completed by filling in the respective application form, which is available at: Call on EURAXESS |
| Application Deadline | 9 May 2023 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) |
Individual Research Project n.9
| Title | Stability of membranes against fouling |
| Code | EXBRINER-09_CNR |
| 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Material Science, Biochemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or related fields. | |
| Objectives | Investigation on: i) insurgence of scaling and organic fouling in membranes; ii) retention and selection of microorganisms (including cyanobacteria) at the surface of membranes in relation with operating conditions (eg., salinity, temperature, pretreatment steps), evaluating the effect of both physico-chemical and structural properties of the membranes in relation to extracellular substances secreted by microrganisms. |
| Methodological approach | SEM/EDX/XRD, FTIR-ATR analysis will correlate the extent of sparingly soluble salts precipitation and surface adhesion of organic matter to the degree of fouling irreversibility as a function of operational conditions. Membrane autopsy and biofilm will be characterized by confocal laser microscopy, quantitative assay for protein, polysaccharide quantification, SEM and cell counting. This characterization will lead to establish a relationship between the membrane properties (e.g., surface energy parameters, wettability, roughness, porosity, mean pore size) in combination with operational conditions and biofouling compositions. The assessment of the fundamental interactions involved in the biofouling will be performed by using microfluidics that enables a deep comprehension of the complicate mechanisms governing the process. In addition, nano-inspired strategies for fouling mitigation by surface grafting, physical blending, surface coating will be explored. |
| Home Institution | CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE (INSTITUTE ON MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY) PhD School in Physical, Chemical and Materials Sciences and Technologies (Università della Calabria) |
| Supervisor(s) | Dr. Loredana De Bartolo, Dr. Antonella Piscioneri |
| Secondments | Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Department of Chemical Engineering, Prof. Bart Van der Bruggen): Stability tests in nanofiltration operations for monovalent/divalent ion separation.
GVS S.p.A. (Dr. Roberto Conti): Validation of the methodology under industrially relevant environment, including biological applications of interest for the company.
Institut National des Sciences Appliqués de Toulouse (National Institute for Applied Sciences, Prof. Corinne Cabassud): Fouling stability tests in Membrane Distillation operated at high salinity. |
| Typology of Contract | Direct contract with benefits, including social security coverage and welfare treatment (also during periods of secondment), equivalent to a contract for collaboration in research activities. |
| Starting date | May 1, 2023 (preferred) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | Living allowance: 3,311.60 Eur Mobility allowance: 600.00 Eur Family allowance and special needs allowance will be added if applicable |
| Contact(s) | l.debartolo@itm.cnr.it |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | Call for application: Application procedure: (first step: Menu -> Registration) Call on Euraxess |
| Application Deadline | March 24, 2023 |
Individual Research Project n.10
| Title | Advanced characterization of inks, photothermal and multifunctional membranes |
| Code | EXBRINER-10_IIT |
| 2nd Level Master’s Degree MSc (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a Bachelor’s Degree BSc) or a Single-Cycle Degree combining BSc/MSc programmes (minimum 300 ECTS) or an equivalent university degree (Second Cycle qualification) in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or pertinent fields. | |
| Objectives | Advanced morphological/ structural/chemical/ mechanical /thermal characterization platform of the developed inks and membranes. |
| Methodological approach | 1. Morphological characterization through advanced electron and atomic force microscopy techniques; 2. structural analysis of the porous systems via Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry; 3. crystallinity and compositional definition through x-ray diffraction analyses; 4. definition of the chemical properties of the developed systems through series of spectroscopic analyses such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, fourier-transform infrared and raman spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, surface tension and wettability analysis via contact angle goniometer, etc.; 5. specialized emission studies for the definition of electronic states; 6. mechanical/electrical properties analyses through micro-nano indentation, Istron and dynamic mechanical analysis testing, conductivity measurements using a probe station and conductive atomic force microscopy; 7. thermal properties definition through thermogravitometric analysis and dynamic scanning calorimetry, thermal conductivity analysis and infrared imaging. |
| Home Institution | Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia PhD School in Materials Engineering (Politecnico di Milano) |
| Supervisor(s) | Dr. Despina Fragouli, co-Supervisor: Dr. Athanassia Athanassiou |
| Secondments | Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Department of Chemical Engineering, Prof. Bart Van der Bruggen): Optimization of preparation protocols for polyamide/MOFs NF membranes.
Università degli Studi dell’Aquila (Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences & Department of Industrial Engineering, Prof. Antonio Politano): Optimization of preparation protocols for 2D nanosheets-based photothermal membranes
GVS S.p.A. (Dr. Roberto Conti): Transfer of advanced characterization protocols to microporous perfluorinated membranes. |
| Typology of Contract | Marie Curie Early Stage |
| Starting date | 01/05/2023 (preferred) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Gross monthly support | According to the rules of the MSCA Doctoral Networks, which equals in Italian monthly gross salary of : 3,311.60 Eur € (including social benefits and health insurance) + 600 € for mobility allowance. An additional family allowance is eligible when the researcher has a family upon recruitment. |
| Contact(s) | despina.fragouli@iit.it, athanassia.athanassiou@iit.it |
| Status of the Call for Application | CLOSED |
| Url - Call for Application | Application form: https://iit.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=220000A7 Euraxess link: |
| Application Deadline | 31/03/2023 |