Take on the global environmental challenge to effectively removing PFAS from concentrated waste streams using innovative, tailored zeolites.
Job description
Poly- and Perfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made persistent chemical compounds and have a negative effect on the environment and public health, due to their toxicity at very low concentrations. To remove low concentrations of organic micropollutants (OMPs) such as PFAS from water, nano- or reverse osmosis membrane technologies are increasingly considered and/or implemented by drinking water treatment plants. While such membranes produce safe drinking water, they also produce substantial volumes of highly concentrated waste streams (>5-fold higher PFAS concentrates than the treated water) that cannot be discharged directly without treatment. High-silica zeolites can selectively remove PFAS and other OMPs from such complex concentrates, and are potentially more effective than conventional activated carbon for PFAS removal when applied to concentrated waste streams. Previous research at TU Delft and elsewhere has already shown fast kinetics and high capacity for OMPs on zeolites in water with competing ions and organic compounds. The next-generation adsorbents we aim to develop should have (i) a higher affinity for OMPs, including short-chain PFAS, and (ii) a lower affinity for salts and organic matter, to minimize competition with OMP removal. In addition, to maximize re-use and longevity these adsorbents should also allow for (iii) frequent and (iv) effective regeneration.
This PhD is embedded in the recently funded NWO Perspektief project BlueVantage, connecting a diverse group of academics and societal stakeholders to inform safe and circular water (re)use across the water sector. You will be supervised by adsorption researchers from TU Delft and Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Our academic partners and our industrial project partner will produce tailored high-silica zeolites for your research.
You will take on the challenge to explore the selectivity of next-generation adsorbents for PFAS and adsorbent regeneration. You will:
- Drive and inform the design and selection of high-silica zeolites based on literature.
- Design experiments to test adsorbent materials with the goal of understanding performance and adsorption mechanisms for the target pollutants.
- Explore laboratory data using statistics and adsorption models to understand underlying trends, explore adsorption mechanisms and predict performance.
- Investigate loading and regeneration in lab experiments and potential pilot installations.
- Hold close feedback loops with industrial and academic partners.
The position is offered by Dr. Kim Lompe and promoter Prof. Dr. Luuk Rietveld at TU Delft and Dr. Gabriel Sigmund at WUR. All three will provide their specific expertise in adsorption and water treatment.
Job requirements
Need-to-have:
- A Master's degree in Water Treatment, Environmental Engineering or related field.
- Laboratory skills for basic water analysis.
- Data analysis skills for statistical analysis and data visualization and willingness to improve these.
- Initiative and engineering spirit to solve problems hands-on.
- Good communication skills to communicate with supervisor and colleagues.
- English Proficiency Test IELTS of 7.0 (scores of at least 6.5 in all sections) or TOEFL of 100 (scores of at least 21 for all sections). For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Nice-to-have:
- Experience working with adsorption materials.
- Programming skills (e.g. Python or R).
TU Delft
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.
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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
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.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Kim Lompe, Assistant Professor in the Department Water Management (k.m.lompe@tudelft.nl).
Here is some literature related to the subject:
- Van den Bergh, M., et al., Highly Selective Removal of Perfluorinated Contaminants by Adsorption on All-Silica Zeolite Beta. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 2020. 59(33): p. 14086-14090.
- van Ruiten, J.A., Concentrating PFAS waste streams generated during drinking water treatment. , in Faculty of Civil Engineering, Delft. 2023, TUDelft: Delft. p. 91.
- Ponge, C.A., et al., Zeolites for Sorption of PFAS from Water. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2024. 63(27): p. 12102-12112.
- Ponge, C.A., et al., Adsorption of Seven PFAS on Beta Zeolite. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2025. 64(7): p. 4040-4047.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 8 juni 2026 via the application button and upload:
- CV
- Motivation letter, motivating your application and showing relevant experiences and knowledge in the field of water treatment and/or adsorption research. Please don't submit a generic letter.
You can address your application to Dr. Kim Lompe.
We would like to interview on the 16th and 22nd of June.
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.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
