Research engineer innovative biological wastewater treatment with aeration and filtration membranes

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) is a dynamic and forward-thinking university founded 20 years ago in the heart of Europe. It ranks 5^th in the “Times Higher Education Millenials 2020” and 20^th in the “QS Top 50 Under 50 2021”, and is a founding member of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) alliance. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 23 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6900+ employees from 130+ nationalities, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Sustainable Air, Energy and Water Technology Research Group in the Bioscience Engineering Department (Faculty of Science) is looking for a full-time research engineer in the field of innovative biological wastewater treatment with aeration and filtration membranes.

The Bioscience Engineering Department was created in 2006, recognizing a strong societal demand to educate experts in environmental technology, cell and gene biotechnology, chemistry and food technology, and land and forest management. In 2009, the Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology Research Group was founded, in which prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck launched the Microbial Cleantech and Environmental Systems Analysis Team in 2015, focusing on sustainable food, water and climate solutions. The team’s mission is to develop clean solutions based on microbial biotechnology and to improve the environmental impact of novel treatment and production systems. Key domains include innovative wastewater treatment biotechnology, nitrogen cycling, nitrification, denitrification, anammox, nutrient recovery, single-cell protein production, and bio-accelerated silicate weathering. Our team is a core member of the Microbial Systems Technology Centre of Excellence, the Enviromics valorization consortium, the BlueApp innovation hub for sustainable chemistry, and the water tech activities in CAPTURE platform for resource recovery and circular economy. We pride ourselves on being a dynamic and international team actively embracing diversity.

As a research engineer, you will further develop the TwinMemBio technology. Water stress and scarcity is a major issue in Flanders and many other places in the world, necessitating integrative solutions that focus on water reuse from domestic wastewater, a major water flow in urbanized areas. Current state-of-the-art technology to achieve this utilizes a membrane biofilm reactor (MBR), which has the advantage of being relatively compact compared to conventional activated sludge with a settler. MBRs, however, have a high energy demand and maintenance, making them relatively expensive to maintain. TwinMemBio tackles these disadvantages by combining a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) with an MBR to create a system with low energy demand a decreased maintenance. TwinMemBio’s unique control strategy makes it an excellent choice for places that require the highest standard for non-potable reuse while also requiring low energy and maintenance costs. Based on an extensive set of lab experiments, a patent on this approach is filed, and your goal is to contribute to the valorisation trajectory of this concept, increasing its technology and commercialization readiness levels (TRL and CRL).

Position

• You will perform research and innovation activities on the TwinMemBio project with dr. Tim Van Winckel and prof. Siegfried Vlaeminck as academic supervisors, and with the support of the valorization officers and business developers dr. Freddy Dardenne and dr. Nayaret Acosta.
• Part of the activities relate to building, automating and operating a combined MABR-MBR for COD and N removal to optimize the control strategy, and validate this on real wastewater. Another part of your time will be invested in paving the way towards valorization of the TwinMemBio technology, including market research, an economic assessment and engagement in strategic partnerships.
• You will write reports related to the progress of your project’s activities. Depending on the confidentiality, there may be a chance to publish scientific articles.
• You will actively participate in trade fairs, conferences, workshops, networking events, etc…
• You carry out a limited number of support tasks linked to teaching, lab organization and funding acquisition.

Profile

• You hold a master’s degree in Bioscience Engineering, Industrial Sciences, Biochemical Engineering Technology, Environmental Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology, Water Technology or an equivalent field of applied (micro)biological sciences.
• You have demonstrable R&D experience in environmental or industrial biotechnology, have performed experiments with bioreactors, and are skilled in standard physical, chemical and microbial analyses. Experience with membrane technology, and/or COD and N removal is an advantage.
• Experience in innovation and valorization is considered a plus, as well as having worked with or for a company.
• Knowledge of the (waste)water market in Flanders is considered a plus.
• You have outstanding oral and written communication skills in English and communicate clearly and honestly. Professional proficiency in Dutch is considered an asset but not strictly required.
• You have excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate constructively and respectfully with the lab manager, scientific team members and BSc/MSc students.
• You manage your time and budget well, and can meet objectives efficiently within set deadlines.
• You are a creative, out-of-the-box thinker.
• You are strong in working proactively and independently, with an outcome-focused, problem-solving mentality.
• You act with attention to quality and integrity.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.

What we offer

• We offer a position for one year. Following a positive evaluation, and subject to additional funding acquisition, the contract will be renewed.
• The planned start date is April 1^st, 2024, or as soon as possible.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for an assistant in the Contract Research Staff category (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP), taking into account relevant seniority.
• You will also receive ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at the Groenenborgercampus in a safe, stimulating and green working environment, and you will have unlimited access to free coffee.
• We ensure an open and flexible work environment that encourages creativity, self-realization and critical thinking, and offers opportunities.
• You will have the possibility to tutor and co-supervise BSc or MSc students working on your project, the opportunity to build or strengthen a broad network of scientific and industrial partners, and the occasion to develop new competencies through professional training moments, courses and workshops.
• You have a unique chance to make a difference, and personally contribute to advance a sustainable biotechnological answer to pressing societal challenge.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including January 31^st, 2024 (by midnight Antwerp time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter and your academic CV.
• The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. Please make a note of the following date for a job interview: Tuesday, February 13^th, 2024, in the afternoon (Antwerp time).
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Siegfried Vlaeminck (Siegfried.Vlaeminck@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.