Industrial Crystallization for Resource Recovery

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy.

Project description

The world is currently approaching a shortage of freshwater along with limited energy resources. Eutectic freeze crystallization (EFC) is a novel technology that can be used to simultaneously recover pure water and salts from concentrated brines. Successful implementation of EFC is expected to lead to more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable processes where water can be recycled, and waste minimized. This technology has until recently only been studied at lab- and pilot-scale at a proof-of-concept level. The first full-scale plant for treatment of mining wastewater has recently been constructed in South Africa. There is critical need for further research and for a wider dissemination of the industrial know-how in order for EFC to achieve its full potential.

The overall aim of this project is to investigate the methodologies of this particular type of crystallization process, for the purpose of increasing the underlying fundamental knowledge and understanding of key aspects, such as the kinetics of nucleation and growth of targeted salts, the mechanisms involved in incorporation of impurities, and how to mitigate the problem of ice scaling. The research will be related to case studies from industry, which will define targeted impurities and conditions. The project will benefit from an industrial reference group and from an on-going collaboration project together with the University of Cape Town focused on crystallization for resource recovery.

We are looking for a person with documented knowledge in chemical engineering and with an interest in developing their knowledge in the field of crystallization. The position involves doctoral studies and up to 20% teaching in chemical engineering courses.

The start date is open for discussion, but we would prefer to see the position filled no later than the first of February 2021. The project is funded by Formas.

Third-cycle subject: Chemical Engineering

Supervision: The doctoral student will be supervised by Assoc. Prof. Kerstin Forsberg and Assoc. Prof. Michael Svärd

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• An inspiring doctoral project with the opportunity to contribute in developing a more sustainable and climate-smart society.
• A position at a leading technical university that generates knowledge and skills for a sustainable future.
• Engaged and ambitious colleagues along with a creative, international and dynamic working environment.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master’s degree),
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge.
• Special eligibility is education at advanced level in chemical engineering or a related subject.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.

Furthermore, knowledge in separation processes, in particular crystallization, is a merit. Good laboratory skills is also a strong merit.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ‘ time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH’s website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section’s website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH’s recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

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