Description of the workplace

The announced PhD position is within the Membrane Group of the Department of Process and Life Science Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering. The Membrane Group is the most established of its kind in Sweden and, together with MemLab – the industrial membrane process research and development centre – offers excellent infrastructure for developing and optimizing membrane processes from lab to pilot scale. Further details about the Membrane Group can be found at: Membrane Group | Membrane Group (lu.se)

Subject description

The Membrane Group is currently offering a PhD position with a focus on finding sustainable solutions for the treatment of storm- and rainwater. This is a unique opportunity to work with applied research with direct linkages to water utilities and municipalities/cities in the local surroundings with aim to identify next generation’s storm- and rainwater harvesting solution. The membrane technique is seen as a potential method to support a transition towards a more sustainable recirculation and usage of storm- and rainwater.

The Membrane Group is currently installing several stormwater and rainwater harvesting systems using membrane technology in Lund and Malmö.
The aim of this project is to monitor, evaluate, and optimize the installed membrane systems. This includes regular sampling of raw and treated water, monitoring membrane performance and fouling, and initiating and optimizing membrane cleaning procedures. Additionally, new monitoring methods will be evaluated to support the remote operation of the membrane installations. Laboratory tests related to the membrane process—such as cleaning protocols and pre- and post-treatment steps (e.g., PFAS removal)—may also be required to better understand and improve overall system performance.

The PhD project is primarily linked to two ongoing initiatives: ISWIM – Innovative Stormwater Impact Mitigation, supported by Formas, and REWAISE – Resilient Water Innovation for a Smart Economy, supported by the EU Horizon 2020 program. Both projects are conducted in collaboration with Sweden Water Research, a joint R&D company of three water utilities in southern Sweden: NSVA, Sydvatten, and VA SYD.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 10%).

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Review of available scientific literature on the research topic and presentation in a report/article.
• Laboratory work, e,g. water analysis
• Monitoring an optimizing membrane process performance.
• Development of an efficient and sustainable cleaning protocol for the membrane process.
• Review pre- and post-treatment related to the membrane processes to match process requirement and water standards.
• Techno-economical scale-up analysis supported by lab to pilot scale experiments.
• Reporting and communication with the project partners in particular Sweden Water Research.

Who are you?

We are looking for a candidate with strong analytical skills and a curious mindset with passion for finding sustainable water treatment solutions. You are motivated to drive and understand complex technical systems as well as contributing to developing the next generation’s water treatment solutions. As the base of this project includes a combination of practical field work, sampling and analysis in laboratories and close collaboration with external stakeholders, it is of major importance that you enjoy varied work tasks and can easily switch between practical and more theoretical analysis.

You have a strong ability to work independently by taking own initiatives as well as being part of a group in both research and more practical work environments. As a person you are thorough, structured and solution-oriented, and is driven by achieving concrete results of your work – from sampling and analysis in laboratory to implementation of the technical solutions in real environments.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Chemical or Environmental Engineering if the applicant has: 

• a specialized project of at least 30 second-cycle credits in the subject.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish.
• Driving license

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following: 

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills in English and Swedish.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience in working with membrane processes.
• Knowledge of water treatment and analysis.
• Hands-on experience in building/assembling lab/pilot-scale equipment.
• Knowledge of modelling and programing skills in Python C/C++, MATLAB and/or LabView.
• Basic knowledge in electronics.
• 3D CAD (such as Autodesk Fusion 360, OpenSCAD or similar).

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace.
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university For international candidates, you can read more about living and working in Sweden on this website https://sweden.se/

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 4.5 years (including 10% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!

Type of employment

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.