To stop global warming, it is vital to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) to net zero within the coming decades. This involves not only preventing new emissions (mitigation), but also actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere. This Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) serves to neutralize emissions from hard-to-abate sectors, (e.g. aviation), and to restore atmospheric CO2 concentrations to pre-industrial levels. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is one of the key technologies in this field, providing safe, permanent, flexible, and scalable negative emissions.

DAC involves contacting large quantities of air with sorbent materials to capture CO2, and subsequently using temperature and/or pressure adjustments to release it in a pure stream for storage or conversion. The energy efficiency of the contacting and release steps is of paramount importance to the viability of the DAC process. Therefore, pressure drop and heat losses in the air contactors must be minimised. In this project, we seek to understand and optimise the design of these devices.

In this PhD research, the fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer processes in air contactors will be investigated using computational methods. The optimal topology of the sorbent material to balance pressure drop and capacity will be considered, and efficient heat transfer mechanisms for the desorption phase will be designed. Additionally, the available experimental facilities will be used to validate the results. This research will lead to an improved understanding of the air contactors, and design rules to be used for further scale-up.

We seek a motivated, conscientious researcher (f/m/x) with strong communication and self-management skills, who is passionate about contributing to a solution for climate change. The successful candidate holds a MSc. degree in mechanical engineering, applied physics, chemical engineering or a similar degree. Affinity with computational methods and fluid dynamics are plusses, but not strictly required. The TU Delft is an equal opportunity employer, and therefore we strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. 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. 

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 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541,- per month in the first year to € 3247,- in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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, Maritime and Materials 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 3mE faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

3mE 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 3mE’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, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.