PhD Position in N2O Emissions Control from Wastewater Treatment Plants Delft • TU Delft

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Join TU Delft's cutting-edge PhD project to reduce N₂O emissions from wastewater treatment plants.

TU Delft, in collaboration with Haskoning and several Dutch Water Authorities, is offering a PhD position focused on developing a control strategy to reduce nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP).

This research combines computational modelling and laboratory experiments to understand and mitigate N₂O emissions, a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential approximately 300 times greater than CO₂.

The project builds on recent microbiological insights and aims to translate them into practical mitigation strategies. The candidate will:

• Conduct ~50% of the research through modelling and ~50% through laboratory experiments.
• Develop and validate a hybrid mechanistic and data-driven N₂O control algorithm.
• Identify key variables for optimized full-scale control implementation.
• Collaborate closely with project partners and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

• Master’s degree in environmental biotechnology, microbiology, environmental or chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Affinity towards control of biological processes.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to start in Q4 2025 – Q1 2026.

If your mother language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, you must submit proof of English proficiency from either TOEFL (minimum total score of 100) or IELTS (minimum total score of 7.0). Proof of English language proficiency certificates older than two years are not accepted.

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! 

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. 

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 € 3059 per month in the first year to € 3881 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 a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Mario Pronk (via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.) or Michele Laureni (via de button "Solliciteer nu" op deze pagina.).   

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 21 September 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter
• Contacts of three references

You can address your application to Mario Pronk and Michele Laureni. 

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. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.