Open Positions

This PhD project aims to develop polymeric adsorber materials based on molecularly imprinted polymers that selectively remove phosphate from wastewater and allow the release of the bound phosphate in a subsequent step for recovery. The polymers will be synthesized from functionalized monomers designed to interact with phosphate anions, appropriate crosslinkers, a template to create cavities in the polymer matrix for phosphate incorporation, and a porogen to ensure mass transport in the final materials. The type of monomers, their ratio and the polymerization conditions will be systematically varied to optimize the performance of the products. The obtained materials will be characterized in terms of composition and morphology. In addition, batch and flow experiments will be performed to quantify the phosphate adsorption capacity and to identify suitable conditions for phosphate adsorption and desorption, as well as for polymer recycling. Finally, the materials will be tested in a pilot wastewater treatment plant to evaluate the feasibility of the developed process.

The most important scientific questions of this PhD will be:

-  Can polymeric adsorber materials based on molecularly imprinted polymers be obtained with sufficiently high phosphate selectivity and adsorption capacity to enable P removal from wastewater down to low residual concentrations? 
-  How can the bound phosphate be desorbed from the polymers and recovered?
-  Can the materials and process be scaled up for use in a wastewater treatment plant?

Requirements for applicants:

-  Excellent Master's degree (M.Sc.) in chemistry or equivalent
-  Experience in synthetic organic chemistry and in common analytical (NMR, UV-Vis, IR) and purification techniques (chromatography). Experience in polymer chemistry and in the standard techniques of polymer characterization is welcome but not required.
-  Fluency in English and willingness to learn German (for non-German speakers)

Application:

You can send your application for this PhD topic to Prof. Dr. Stefan Kubik: stefan.kubik[at]rptu.de