Job description
Ultrafine particles (UFPs) are an important component that determines indoor air quality (IAQ) and the adverse health effects that go along with it. However, due to their small size, they are difficult to detect and currently available detection methods are relatively bulky and expensive.
This PhD project aims to develop a new approach for detecting and monitoring ultrafine particles in the air, based on a new fiber-tip optical sensing method recently developed at TU/e. The main challenge in doing so is the delivery of the ultrafine particles to the detection area of the optical sensor, for which new ideas and approaches, potentially based on microfluidics technology, are needed! In this project you will develop ideas and concepts for the sampling of ultrafine particles from air, theoretically estimate their viability, build prototypes and perform experiments in the lab to test and quantify their performance, finally leading to a new, improved type of monitoring system for UFPs.
Job Description
Air pollution is related to around 8 million deaths every year, and half of those are due to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). This PhD position is part of the European consortium LEARN, which aims to monitor and enhance air quality in indoor environments such as classrooms. The project brings together a diverse range of research groups from academia and industry from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The task of TU/e within the LEARN consortium is to develop novel sensors for ultrafine particles, based on the use of fiber-tip optical sensors. The fiber-tip optical sensing technology will be developed in a separate PhD project, guided by prof. Andrea Fiore in the Department of Applied Physics; the two PhD students will work closely together.
The main goal of this PhD project is to develop new strategies for delivering ultrafine particles into the detection area of a fiber-tip sensor to be able to actually use the technology for detecting ultrafine particles in the air. This will require new ideas and concepts, which will potentially involve the use of microfluidics technology. In developing these ideas you will also be able to rely on our network of experts and partners within the LEARN consortium, with expertise in a range of relevant areas, such as aerosol science in general and the current technologies used for the detection of UFPs.
In the project, you will design, implement and test different concepts for the delivery of ultrafine particles into the detection area. Your work will also include some theoretical/numerical work, which you can use to predict the viability of different concepts and to help guide the design process for arriving at optimized prototype sampling systems.
Together with the second PhD student, working in the group of Andrea Fiore, you will integrate the fiber-tip optical sensing technology with the developed sampling strategies to develop and test a complete prototype monitoring system for ultrafine particles in the air.
Thus, by integrating the developed sampling methods with the fiber-tip optical sensing technology, we anticipate developing a prototype monitoring system for ultrafine particles that can be developed into a viable, improved alternative to existing approaches.
Requirements
We are looking for a scientist with a master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics, or materials science. Research experience in microfluidics, aerosol science, optics, microsystems engineering, or soft matter would be a plus, but strong candidates without such experience will also be considered. We are looking for a motivated candidate who enjoys working in an interdisciplinary environment. Our dream candidate is skilled at practical work in the lab and is also able to use and develop theoretical skills needed to develop a fundamental understanding of the subject matter. Other important personal skills include fluent spoken and written English (C1 level), a proven ability to manage projects, collaborate with external parties and to be self-driven.
Embedding
The PhD student will be embedded in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the group Microfluidics & Soft Matter, headed by dr. Hans Wyss, within the Microsystems section, headed by prof.dr.ir. Jaap den Toonder. There will be a close collaboration with the Photonics and Semiconductor Nanophysics group in the Department of Applied Physics, headed by prof. Andrea Fiore. Within the group of Andrea Fiore a second PhD student will be employed with whom the candidate will collaborate particularly closely. The Microsystems group manages the Microfab lab, a state-of-the-art micro fabrication facility that houses a range of micro manufacturing technologies - microfluidics technology is one of the main research pillars of the group. The project is a collaboration within the LEARN consortium, including research groups and companies from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
Conditions of employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
- An exciting job in a dynamic work environment and a multidisciplinary consortium.
- A full time appointment for four years by Eindhoven University of Technology (www.tue.nl/en)
- A gross monthly salary in line with the Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- The possibility to present your work at international conferences.
- High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
- An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.