EngD - Zeolite Granules for Wastewater Treatment (Delft, NL, 2628 CD)
You will take on the challenge to select and evaluate a new granular zeolite adsorbent at pilot scale for the removal of organic micropollutants from wastewater effluent.
Job description
Would you like to extend your knowledge, practical work experience and get an Engineering doctorate degree (EngD -> this is not a PhD position) in the water sector in only two years’ time? The faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) offers you a program where you will find a solution for a technical, integrated and complex problem in cooperation with multiple partners. You study, on average, two days per week at the TU Delft, following dedicated courses tailored for a professional project execution, and apply your learnings three days per week on the project in practice.
The scope of the 2-year project is the evaluation of newly developed zeolite granules in a pilot-scale fixed bed reactor over a period of 1 year, aiming to increase the removal of a set of OMPs to >80%. Your role is geared towards bridging the gap between pilot and full-scale application of high-silica zeolite granules.
Zeolites are crystalline, microporous materials which are potentially more selective than activated carbon for OMP removal in treated effluent. Previous research at TU Delft and elsewhere has shown fast kinetics and high adsorption capacity for OMPs on zeolites in water with competing ions and small organic compounds. Granular zeolites have been developed over the past 8 years in an integrated adsorption-oxidation process called AdOx. The AdOx process combines the adsorption of OMPs on zeolite granules with on-site regeneration via ozonation. In contrast to the better known ozone-GAC process, AdOx involves the bed of granular high-silica zeolites to be dried and oxidized with ozone gas to avoid the formation of bromate. The key to adapt AdOx for long-term, full-scale application is to develop strong, wear-resistant, but porous granules.
You will take on the challenge to improve the AdOx process to achieve the requirements of the recast urban water directive for OMPs (80% OMP removal for a set of OMPs), assess the feasibility for full-scale applications based on the pilot performance, cost estimation and market recommendations. You will become part of a team of adsorption researchers working on zeolites at TU Delft and work collaboratively with technology developers and potential end-users.
You will:
- Drive and inform the design and selection of high-silica zeolites granules together with EuroSupport.
- Accompany the development and operation of a pilot platform for testing granules in real wastewater effluent onsite.
- Evaluate the performance of the new AdOx process and granules.
- Design a full-scale AdOx treatment process including a techno-economic evaluation.
The position is offered by Dr. Kim Lompe, Dr. Sanne Smith and Prof. Dr. Luuk Rietveld at TU Delft. Evides Industry Water and Colubris CleanTech are the direct industry partners. All supervisors will provide their specific expertise in adsorption and/or water treatment.
Job requirements
Need-to-haves:
- MSc in water treatment, Environmental Engineering or a related field.
- Laboratory skills for basic water analysis and willingness to learn more advanced sample preparation and data analysis.
- Data analysis skills for statistical analysis and data visualization and willingness to improve these skills.
- 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 2.1 for all sections). For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience working with adsorption materials.
- R and Python skills.
*If your native language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, you must submit proof of English proficiency from either TOEFL (minimum total score of 100) or IELTS (minimum total score of 7.0). Proof of English language proficiency certificates older than two years are not accepted.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.
For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.
At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.
Faculty of Civil Engineering and 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
- A full-time, 2-year contract, with a go/no-go evaluation after the first year.
- A job of 40 hours per week.
- A gross monthly salary starting at €3.204 in year one, increasing to €4.051 in year two (scale TOIO+, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities), based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
- An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
- The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
- Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
- Flexible working week.
- Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
- Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
- Partially paid parental leave.
- Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.
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).
Please do NOT reach out to introduce yourself or to send your CV and letter. These need to be submitted through the submission website.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 5 August 2026. Only applications submitted through this online portal will be considered (not by email!).
Please upload a CV, Motivation Letter and other required documents.
In your motivation letter, please explicitly specify why you are interested in an EngD position, as opposed to a PhD position.
You can find all information about the difference between PhD and EngD program here (https://www.tudelft.nl/onderwijs/opleidingen/phd/phd-programme/phd-or-engd).
You can address your application to Dr. Kim Lompe, Assistant Professor.
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.
