PhD Researcher in Environmental Technology and Wastewater Treatment
Conduct cutting-edge research on bio- and photocatalytic membrane systems for semiconductor wastewater treatment.
Best for:Best for master's graduates in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, or bioengineering with a strong background in water treatment and membrane technology.
Overview
Ghent University Global Campus is seeking a full-time PhD researcher to join the Sustainable Environmental Engineering Laboratory (SEELab) within the Centre for Green Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology in Incheon, South Korea. The successful candidate will investigate integrated systems combining microbial membrane bioreactors, photocatalytic membranes, and membrane distillation to treat semiconductor wastewater and recover ultra-pure water. Responsibilities include membrane fabrication, lab-scale reactor operation, wastewater analysis, and assisting with undergraduate teaching and grant applications. Applicants must hold a relevant master's degree and demonstrate strong experimental and English communication skills.
What you'll do
- Design, fabricate, and characterize advanced photocatalytic membranes for microbial membrane bioreactors and membrane distillation systems.
- Operate and monitor lab-scale bioreactors to evaluate nutrient removal, organic contaminant degradation, and microbial community dynamics.
- Assess membrane fouling, water flux, wetting behavior, and recovered water quality during treatment processes.
- Perform wastewater analysis, comparative lifecycle assessments, and technoeconomic evaluations of treatment systems.
- Collaborate with the supervisor to execute ongoing R&D projects and prepare national and international research grant applications.
- Support undergraduate teaching activities in courses such as organic chemistry, green chemistry, and water treatment technology.
Requirements
Degree required: Master degree in Environmental Science and Technology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or a directly relevant discipline
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; fluent working proficiency is required
Instruction: English
Publications: Not explicitly required, but top-tier journal publications are considered a strong advantage
- Solid and relevant laboratory experimental or policy experience in environmental technology
- Demonstrated ability in membrane fabrication, reactor operation, or wastewater analysis
- Excellent command of English with strong academic writing and presentation skills
- Independent research capability combined with strong collaborative and leadership spirit
- Hold or expect to hold a qualifying master's degree prior to appointment
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-12-20 · open until filled
Prepare a motivation letter, full CV with references' contacts, and a research statement within four pages. Merge all documents into a single PDF file under 10MB and submit it via email to Di.wu@ghent.ac.kr with the subject line format SEE_PhD2027_Surname.
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Research statement and vision
- Reference contacts
Contact
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