We have a PhD position available in the fast evolving area of chemical plastic recycling. The PhD position is part of the Amazing project with four industrial partners, the research organization ISPT, and the University of Twente (Aramazing: sustainable aramids (ispt.eu)). The aim of this project is to build a pilot plant for the chemical recycling of aromatic polyamide (aramid) fibres.

The goal of the PhD project is to develop and optimize the reaction step by using hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) for the cleavage of polyamides into their monomeric building blocks and to design the downstream system by determining the thermodynamic data of the downstream unit operations such as distillation, extraction, and crystallisation. The tasks include:

• Solvent selection and determination of reaction kinetics to support reactor design
• Determination of thermodynamic data to support the design of separation and purification steps
• Modelling and simulation for process design
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

• You have a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with a solid background in reaction engineering, chemical processes, and separation technologies
• You have a high degree of responsibility and independence, while being able to collaborate with colleagues, researchers, and other staff members
• You have experience with experimental laboratory systems
• You have experience with modelling and simulation of (chemical) processes, ideally with the tools Aspen Plus, Aspen Custom Modeler, or equivalent
• You are fluent in English
• You have good communication skills and can collaborate with external partners in regular meetings and work visits

• You will be appointed on a fulltime position for 4 years.
• The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in a stimulating scientific environment.
• The gross monthly PhD salary is € 2,770.- in the first year and increases to € 3,539.- in the fourth year.
• The offer further includes excellent benefits such as a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%, a solid pension scheme, a minimum of 29-day holidays, and numerous professional and personal development programs.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.

The Sustainable Process Technology (SPT) group is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Twente. We conduct experimental and theoretical research in the areas of biomass conversion, affinity separations, plastic recycling, water, and CO2 capture and conversion. We combine our expertise in different disciplines (process design, chemistry, catalysis, modelling, engineering) to contribute to the development of sustainable chemical processes.