The PhD project aims to explore the microbial ecology for biological phosphorus removal in aerobic granular sludge and understand the metabolic versatility of the dominant EBPR community members. The focus of your research will be to resolve the function of dominant community members, explore how process control parameters affects these microbial community members and evaluate their metabolic interactions. You will run bioreactors to enrich for the EBPR community under different substrate conditions in dynamic environments, apply cutting-edge omics techniques, including metagenomics, metaproteomics and metabolomics.

As a PhD in Environmental Biotechnology section, you will be joining an active, inclusive, and inspiring team exploring wastewater treatment processes from diverse perspectives. For the PhD duration, you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School which provides a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing transferable, discipline-related and research skills. There is a strong emphasis to drive the project in the direction of your scientific curiosity and skill development. You will be co-supervised by Asst. Prof. Samarpita Roy and Prof. Mark van Loosdrecht.      

The ideal candidate will have the following skills:

• MSc in Environmental/Chemical Engineering, Microbiology or Bioinformatics
• Demonstrable background and strong interest in biological processes and biotechnologies
• Laboratory experience proven by lab courses, internships or previous work experience.
• Scientific attitude and analytical skills combined with a hands-on mentality.
• Independent, self-motivated, curiosity-driven, open to communicate and collaborate with peers and partners.
• Excellent spoken and written English.

and hopefully also some the following 'Nice-to-haves' skills:

• Experience in design and/or operation of lab-scale bio-reactors proven by previous practical or research projects
• Experience in metagenomics, including wet-lab and bioinformatic pipelines
• Linux, R, Python programming skills

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.

Fixed-term contract: 4 jaar.

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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.
Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Applied Sciences
With more than 1,000 employees, including 135 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,400 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we train students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers and science communicators.

Afdeling

The Department of Biotechnology engages in internationally-leading education programmes and offers a stimulating research environment in the biosciences that combines fundamental science, engineering, and design, all directed towards biotechnological process innovations. The Department covers the areas of biocatalysis, bioprocess engineering, environmental biotechnology, industrial microbiology, and biotechnology and society. The Department harbours excellent laboratory facilities and infrastructure.