As the demand for monitoring the quality of water streams and detecting contaminants grows, the need for affordable and accurate sensors becomes crucial. Electrochemical sensing methods, such as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), offer a versatile monitoring platform. However, the selective sensing of multiple contaminants and identifying their unique EIS responses remains a challenge for commercial implementation.

Delft-based startup Hypersonic is at the forefront of commercializing EIS sensors and will be an industrial partner in this project. This presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to real-life positive impacts, working at the intersection of fundamental and applied research.

Project Overview:

The research is grounded in the principle that the EIS response is significantly influenced by the physical interactions at the surface between the electrode (used for EIS measurements) and the water (acting as the electrolyte). The objective is to identify an optimized EIS setup, focusing on the electrode material and its surface topology. A selected number of electrodes will be examined for their EIS response with a specific focus on industrial applications for wastewater monitoring.

Key Responsibilities:

• Investigate and identify optimized electrode materials and surface topologies for enhanced EIS response.
• Conduct EIS measurements using both in-situ and ex-situ electrochemical and surface/interface characterization techniques.
• Correlate distinct EIS responses with specific physical phenomena occurring at the electrode-water interface.
• Explore the application of developed electrode surface modification processes to various other domains based on industrial demand.

Project Scope:

While the primary focus will be on detecting ionic contaminants in wastewater, the project's developments and related applied electrode surface modification processes can be adapted to a variety of other water streams depending on industrial needs. Relevant examples include:

• Drinking water quality monitoring
• Industrial process water analysis
• Environmental water assessment

This role offers a unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to solutions that address critical water quality challenges.    

• Educational Background: Possess a PhD in a relevant field such as Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated and extensive experience in materials processing, surface analysis, and electrochemical experimental analysis.
• Research Approach: A critical and creative approach to research is essential.
• Publications: Proven experience in writing scientific and technical publications.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written, in English. The ability to convey complex technical information effectively.
• Team Collaboration: Enthusiastic about working in a multidisciplinary team that includes both academic and industrial partners.

Fixed-term contract: 1 year.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication: € 3.226 - € 5.090 per month gross). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. This position is a temporary assignment for 1 year.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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.