Project description
The chemical industry urgently needs to cut its CO2 emissions. Electrification will reduce emissions from processes by powering them with renewable electricity in place of fossil fuels. Circular processes will reuse valuable resources and in doing so will cut end-of-life emissions and reduce resource depletion rates. We research novel plasma technologies to facilitate both electrification and circular processes for the chemical industry. In future, industry expects to have an environmentally sustainable source of nitrogen containing molecules, which can be most effectively valorised via upgrading to fertilizers and chemicals. The conventional way to produce fertilizers is the so called Haber-Bosch process, where nitrogen and hydrogen are converted into ammonia, which in turn is converted into nitrates. Thermal plasma technology is a promising alternative approach for nitrogen activation as it allows the possibility for high efficiency, excellent reactant conversion, and refined product selectivity. However, there are many fundamental questions about the underlying activation mechanisms that need to be answered first. Numerical modelling is very helpful with this respect.


Plasma chemistry modelling is extremely challenging, due to the high number of species (electron, ions, radicals, molecules) and their reactions and dynamics, which occur over multiple time and length scales. Heat transfer, flow transport, and electromagnetic power coupling also need to be incorporated in realistic devices modelling. Additionally, consideration of the non-equilibrium between electrons and other species is critical, requiring specific methodologies to numerically handle and describe electron kinetics. The project aim is to develop a plasma model to simulate plasma-driven nitrogen activation.

Job Description
The successful candidate is expected to perform numerical simulations to evaluate chemical and physical processes occurring in nitrogen containing plasma discharges. You will work independently to develop code, collect, analyse, and evaluate results and compare them with experimental measurements. Code validation and characterization with respect to numerical and physical parameters is also an essential part of the job.


You will join a small team working on experiments and similar numerical models. We expect that you will regularly discuss, share, and present your work with fellow team members, colleagues, and wider audiences at international conferences. We expect you will write several high-quality scientific articles, ultimately culminating in your Ph D thesis.

Requirements
We seek motivated and highly talented candidates with a Master degree (or an equivalent diploma giving access to doctoral studies) in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. The applicant should have:

• General knowledge of low temperature plasmas
• Preferably general knowledge of fluid dynamics
• Some prior experience with computational modelling
• Good programming skills (e.g. C, C++, Python, Fortran) are essential
• Good communication skills in English (both written and spoken).

What we offer
As Ph D Candidate: Numerical modeling of plasma-driven nitrogen activation at Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile Ph D, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2872,00 and €3670,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.


Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Faculty of Science and Engineering
At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development. FSE's leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone's attention. The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses
Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Paola Diomede at p.diomede@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.


Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Ph D Candidate: Numerical modeling of plasma-driven nitrogen activation? Apply now, no later than October 1, 2024, for this position.

In case you are interested you can apply by electronically submitting an application letter and a full curriculum vitae (including names and e-mail addresses of maximum 3 persons who could act as your references), a grade list and possibly copies of papers. Please use the following format for your documents:

• lastname_applicationletter.pdf
• lastname_cv.pdf
• lastname_gradelist.pdf
• lastname_papers.pdf

The interviews preferably take place as of the second week of October.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.


Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.