3 PhD Fellowships in Environmental Engineering and Process Modelling (Denmark)

The Department of Environmental Engineering is looking for 3 PhD students for an international and cross-disciplinary research project (LaGas), with the objective to untangle the mystery behind biological production and consumption of N2O in waste water treatment operations. Laughing gas (N2O) is a greenhouse gas 300 times stronger than CO2 and a dominant ozone destroying chemical. Biological processes – the same that are essential for removing polluting reactive nitrogen from wastewaters – are potential sources of N2O.
For further information on the project, visit the preliminary homepage (LaGas)

Positions at the Technical University of Denmark are available on the topics:

PhD 1: Development and implementation of a novel whole-plant quantification tool to estimate GHG emissions based on gas plume measurements. The student will use a very promising gas plume method to measure downwind N2O gas concentrations using a dynamic sampling approach. The concept behind this approach has earlier been applied to measure methane emissions from landfills. Emphasis will be on the development of a best practice guide for quantification of N2O emission from full-scale wastewater treatment plants by conducting measurements under different tracer configuration and meteorological conditions, and the best practice guide will be used to measure gas emissions at several sites under different management conditions of the plants.

PhD 2: Investigations on N2O production and emission at reactor-scale from conventional and innovative mainstream and side-stream nitrogen removal technologies. In collaboration with PhD 1, the student will measure and analyze N2O production and emission at reactor-scale at several full-scale WWTPs and in controlled laboratory settings. Comprehensive real-time on-line N2O measurements will be performed in both liquid and gas phase to continuously monitor and record the overall N2O emissions at WWTPs using different process configuration for nitrogen removal, and at different nitrogen loads, operational conditions and different seasons. The ultimate goal is obtain rigorous N2O footprints across a representative set of process configurations and operations.

PhD 3: Development and validation of physiochemical and biokinetic process models for N2O dynamics in wastewater. The PhD fellow will develop biokinetic process models for mixed autotrophic nitrifying, heterotrophic denitrifying and anammox communities, which will explicitly include dissolution and liquid-to-gas mass-transfer of N2O. Lab-scale experiments will be performed in collaboration with a post doctoral associate to estimate model parameters for all studied systems and calibrate and validate models. Model identification, calibration and evaluation exercises are carried out using laboratory- and full-scale measurements in close collaborations with PhD 2 and the PhD student at The University of Southern Denmark (please see Job Opportunities at LaGas). The models are subsequently explored for individual scenario analysis to identify best- and worst-case operational conditions. The candidate will mainly use several simulation platforms (Matlab®, Simulink® and WEST®).

Qualifications
At the date of appointment, the successful candidates must have obtained a M.Sc. in Environmental, Biochemical, or Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences or related discipline. The ideal candidates will have shown evidence for research experience, laboratory and field experience, and a strong interest and training in one or more of the following fields: bioreactor/bioprocess technology, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, fluid dynamics, process modeling and computational analysis applied to environmental/microbial systems. A high motivation for research and solid written and good oral communication skills in English are prerequisites of any successful application.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

We offer
The applicants will enjoy working in an international and cross-disciplinary research team involving both scientific and industrial partners. English is the operational language of the apartment. The project benefits from several interactions and possible research exchanges with other leading research groups in EU and USA, and interactions with leading-edge technology providers. The Technical University of Denmark is ranked as one of the foremost technical universities in Europe, with high levels in publication records, close collaboration with industry and long history in public sector consultancy. The Department of Environmental Engineering offers state-of-the art chemical, microbial and molecular analytical facilities, process laboratories and equipment to execute these projects.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students.

The period of employment is 3 years and is supported by a research grant from The Danish Council for Strategic Research.

The positions are available from September 1st 2013 (PhD 2) and January 1st 2014 (PhD 1 and 3), with earlier or later starting dates possible.

Application
We must have your online application no later than 15 June 2013.  

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link « Apply online, » fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file.

In the field “Please indicate which position(s) you would like to apply for” please indicate which project you are applying for (title from Phd projects list or individual research projects list above).

The file must include:

• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages)
• A curriculum vitae including relevant information on previous employment, research, teaching experience, potential publications and personal contact information
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here).
• Reference letters of at least two referees
• A list of all enclosures

Each enclosure must be marked with the applicant’s name.

The selection will be based on a two-step application process. In a first step, all applications will be reviewed to generate a short list of candidates. Potential candidates will be invited for a personal on-site interview. The position starting date is subject to mutual agreement.

Applicants may apply prior to obtaining their Master’s degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

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