PhD in Next-Generation Water Treatment Trains for PFAS Removal

This PhD project addresses the societal need for sustainable water treatment by investigating sequential advanced oxidation processes and activated carbon filtration. Hosted at Wetsus in collaboration with academic and industrial partners, the researcher will design exposure-based frameworks to balance micropollutant removal and carbon lifetime. The candidate will execute lab-scale experiments, employ non-target analytical screening, and build process models. The expected outcome includes practical operational guidelines to assist water utilities and regulators.

• Develop an exposure-based framework for designing sequential O3/H2O2–UV/H2O2–GAC treatment trains.
• Investigate representative water matrices such as surface water and wastewater to evaluate dose-splitting strategies.
• Quantify radical exposure and ozone metrics using probe compounds, UV fluence, and LC-HRMS non-target screening.
• Study the impact of partially oxidized water on GAC adsorption and PFAS breakthrough via batch and column experiments.
• Translate experimental findings into practical design and operational rules for academic and industrial partners.
• Publish research outcomes in leading peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international scientific conferences.