We’re seeking a motivated PhD researcher to help drive the electrification of industrial heat. Join leading researchers and industry partners in developing flexible mechanical vapour recompression.

Job description

As a PhD researcher in the DEFLAME project, you’ll play a key role in revolutionizing the European process industry by driving the electrification of industrial heat, ultimately making it more resilient and climate-neutral. This ambitious project aims to overcome challenges at multiple levels—from technology and industrial plants to national and European energy systems, as well as economic, policy, and institutional frameworks.

In this PhD position, you will investigate the flexible usage of Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) to provide heat to crystalization processes, thus enabling the process industry to transition to using sources of energy that are fossil-free.

In this PhD position, you will:

1) Develop a transient numerical model using Dymola software of a mechanical vapour recompression (MVR) system.

2) Combine the transient MVR model with industrial models of real salt & sugar crystallization processes in the Netherlands.

3) Optimize the design of the MVR-crystalizer loops for flexible operation.

4) Enhance flexibility by including thermal energy storage in the model.

5) Collaborate with fellow PhD students from different disciplines.

Your research will provide critical insights for stakeholders on how industrial electrification can enhance sustainability in industry, support renewable energy integration into the power system, and increase competitiveness of European and Dutch industries.

Your Working Environment

You will join the Process & Energy (P&E) department at TU Delft’s Mechanical Engineering faculty.Our department works along the themes of Energy, Flow and Processes. You will work together with top researchers highly skilled in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics and modelling thereof. Additionally, you will have opportunities for professional development through both technical and non-technical courses. We expect that as part of your PhD you will take the lead on interacting and collaborating with other researchers at TU Delft, with research groups at other universities, and with industry and other stakeholders.

Job requirements

We are looking for a candidate with

1) ample experience in thermodynamic modelling, in particular transient modelling.

Furthermore, we expect that you have

2) A MSc. degree in either chemical- or mechanical engineering or similar field.

3) Strong affinity with thermodynamics and heat transfer.

4) A keen interest in the process industry.

5) Keen interest in transient modelling and analysis

6) Good communication skills and the ability to be a team player in a highly multidisciplinary setting.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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!

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 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.

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

For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. ir. Jurriaan Peeters (j.w.r.peeters@tudelft.nl) or Prof. Dr. Rene Pecnik (r.pecnik@tudelft.nl) or Prof. dr.ir Sikke Klein (s.a.klein@tudelft.nl).

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 10 July 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

CV
Motivational letter

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.
A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Mechanical Vapour Recompression jobs

PhD Position Flexible Mechanical Vapour Recompression