PhD in controlling the interplay of transport and reaction kinetics in a thermal arc plasma source

Welcome to Maastricht University!
Are you passionate about realizing a sustainable and competitive chemical industry? Join our highly dynamic international team at the Plasmalab at Maastricht University, working in close cooperation with industry. We are looking for a motivated PhD student to work on establishing and controlling the role of transverse transport in overall reactor heat and mass transfer towards a final goal of engineering a reactor for direct C2H4 production.

PhD candidate in controlling the interplay of transport and reaction kinetics in a thermal arc plasma source 

• Our goal: to establish and control the role of transverse transport in overall reactor heat and mass transfer in a thermal arc plasma source, enabling the engineering of a reactor for direct C₂H₄ production.
• Your colleagues: you will work in the Plasmalab team within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, as part of a young international research group specialized in plasma-based gas conversion.

The development of innovative and green chemical processes is essential for transitioning to a carbon-neutral and energy-efficient society. Methane, a key component of natural gas and a by-product of numerous industrial processes such as naphtha cracking, presents a compelling opportunity. Current practices, such as combusting methane to sustain energy-intensive operations, are increasingly unsustainable in the context of decarbonization efforts and the EU Methane Strategy. The ability to upgrade methane into higher-value products, particularly through plasma-assisted or catalytic methods, is a game-changer for the chemical industries, enabling a dual focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating economically valuable outputs.

This PhD position is part of PRIME LEAP, a Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) on the next-generation intensified chemical processes integrating plasma and single-atom catalysis. In this position, the PhD candidate will establish and control the role of transverse transport in overall reactor heat and mass transfer in thermal arc plasma source to engineer a reactor for direct C₂H₄ production. Specific objectives include establishing evolution of species distributions by in situ line-of-site integrated supercontinuum laser-based FTIR measurements in variation of the total arc length, establishing radial gas and plasma temperature profiles with laser scattering at/around the arc exit in variation of the total arc length to benchmark modelling estimates, realization and performance characterization of optimized plasma reactor model, as well as implementation of quench and its performance characterization to implement post-catalysis processing.

In this project, the responsibilities of the PhD student will entail:

• Pave the way towards engineering a thermal arc plasma reactor for direct C₂H₄ production
• Present your work at international conferences
• Write scientific papers for international peer-reviewed journals
• Provide teaching assistance and/or supervision of students

As a PhD student, you will work in the Plasmalab team in the Faculty of Science and Engineering located at Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. You will become part of a young international research group, specialized in plasma-based gas conversion.

Requirements
You are motivated, autonomous, hands-on, communicative, and interested in working in an international research environment.
Please note that you must comply with the MSCA mobility rule to be eligible for this position: you must NOT have lived or worked in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the recruitment.

Furthermore, the requisites for this position are:

• You hold a master's degree in (plasma) physics, photonics, and related engineering fields with a strong interest in exploring plasma chemistry;
• You preferably have prior knowledge of and/or experience with (developing) optical spectroscopy instruments;
• Good university record;
• Ability to plan and conduct activities in the lab;
• Fluency in English (spoken and written).

What we offer

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:

• A 12-month contract with the prospect of a three-year extension upon positive evaluation.
• A gross monthly salary between €3,059.00 and €3,881.00 (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• 29 vacation days (based on full-time), plus four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day). The option to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home, with commuting and internet allowances.
• A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness options, and access to extensive UM sports facilities.
• A dynamic research community where collaboration and personal growth go hand in hand.
• An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe. 

Faculty of Science and Engineering  
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  
 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses  
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  

Plasmalab at the Department of Circular Chemical Engineering
Plasma technology is a potential game changer for the energy transition in the chemical industry. Traditionally, high temperature industrial processes are powered by combustion of fossil fuels - this is not sustainable in a low-CO2 emissions world. As an alternative, high temperature chemical processes in a plasma can be powered by renewable energy derived “green electrons”. Plasma technology can be applied for a diverse range of applications for production of commodity chemicals; from plastic precursors, to fuels, and fertilizers. At the plasma lab, students, researchers, and industry partners come together to optimize existing plasma technology and develop new plasma processes that can be applied and scaled up for the future chemical industry. 

 Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Amir Khodabakhsh at amir.khodabakhsh@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

About Maastricht University
At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,000 students and 5,000 employees across five regional locations, six faculties, and more than seventy research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities – for yourself and for the world around you. Because real answers are found together.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD Candidate? Apply now for this position.

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, and grade list. Note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

We accept applications until the vacancy is filled.

We look forward to getting to know you! 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.