Scholarships Source

Netherland | Deadline : Oct 31, 2008

Department/faculty: Applied Sciences
Level: Master degree
Working hours: Maximum of 38 hours per week (1 FTE)
Contract: Four years
Salary: Maximum of €2558 per month gross

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,400 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

The Dutch Separation Technology Institute (DSTI) is the network in which industry, universities and knowledge institutes work closely together to develop breakthrough separation technologies for application in different sectors of the process industry. Some 40 companies from the food, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, chemical and process water industries, together with eight knowledge centres have joined DSTI. “Together we can take bigger steps.”

JOB DESCRIPTION

In the Oil & Gas sector of DSTI, a project is being set up that aims at making existing oil/water separation equipment for oil production an order of magnitude smaller. The traditional large pressure vessels and settling tanks are replaced by line size devices that use swirling flow to accelerate the separation process. These devices not only make oil production cheaper, but also cleaner and safer and potentially these enable operation from remote geographical locations and even subsea.
The physics behind these swirling devices are, however, challenging. The present project is a cooperation of Shell, Frames, CDS Engineering and the Universities of Technology in Delft, Eindhoven and Twente. This combination of industry, both operators and suppliers, and universities will give a solid foundation to develop this new technology by studying the various key processes in a practical context; key processes include swirling flow, densely dispersed liquid/liquid multiphase flow, phase separation, coalescence and break-up. The problem will be addressed from two angles, i.e. one PhD student (this vacancy) will focus on experimental research, the other PhD student will approach the research questions from the theoretical and numerical side. The ultimate project deliverable includes fundamental knowledge on the processes that govern oil/water separation. That knowledge, in particular geometrical and flow parameters, may be used by engineers to design an inline oil/water separation device.

REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for candidates who are interested in studying the fundamentals of separation, while keeping in mind the requirements of the application. Collaboration across companies and universities is seen as one of the major features of this project.
In this project, two PhD students will work closely together and with the industrial partners, and will spend a period in industry to gather relevant practical knowledge. This way, a scientifically challenging study should result in knowledge that can be directly applied to innovations in oil-water separation.
Applicants should have a recent MSc in Chemical Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Applied Physics or a related discipline. We seek candidates with proficiency in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, and with excellent experimental skills in Fluid Mechanics. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The successful candidate will be employed full-time by TU Delft for a fixed period of 4 years within which he or she is expected to write a dissertation leading to a doctoral degree (PhD thesis). The monthly salary for a PhD starts at a maximum of € 2000 per month gross, increasing to a maximum of € 2558 gross in the fourth year.
TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home, and the option of assembling a customized compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
Delft University of Technology strives to increase the number of women in higher academic positions; women are therefore especially encouraged to apply.

INFORMATION AND APPLICATION

For more information about this position or to apply, please contact Prof. R. F. Mudde, phone: +31 (0)15-2782834, e-mail: Applicants-MSP-TNW@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV along with a letter of application by October 31, 2008 to Prof. Mudde at: Applicants-MSP-TNW@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, make sure to mention vacancy number TNWMSP08-050.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

More information can be obtain at: http://www.vacaturesindelft.nl/vacature.php?id=1278&lang=eng