PhD Candidate Adsorbent Materials for PFAS Analysis 100 %

ZHAW International; Winterthur; Hybrid; CHF 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) invites applications for a PhD candidate position focused on adsorbent materials for PFAS analysis. The project aims to develop fluorophilic adsorbents and integrate them into PFAS sample preparation workflows, contributing to environmental monitoring in water and samples.

The position is hosted by the Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, with a four-year fixed-term tenure starting upon agreement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• Strong interest in materials development and adsorption processes.
• Excellent English written and spoken skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize and characterize fluorophilic adsorbent materials.
• Investigate adsorption mechanisms and structure-property relationships for PFAS selectivity.
• Evaluate adsorption capacity, selectivity and mass-transfer of new materials.
• Integrate adsorbents into sample preparation workflows for combustion ion chromatography.
• Compare materials with commercial solutions and assess performance in environmental samples.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners.

Skills

Materials development

Adsorption processes

Analytical chemistry

Scientific problem solving

Independent work

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree in Chemistry

Tools

Chromatography

Materials characterization

Polymer synthesis

Job description

PhD Candidate Adsorbent Materials for PFAS Analysis 100 %

Develop innovative materials to tackle one of today's most pressing environmental challenges and contribute to improved PFAS monitoring in water and environmental samples.

School: Life Sciences und Facility Management
Starting date: Upon agreement. Fixed-term position (4 years).

As part of this interdisciplinary PhD project, you will develop novel adsorbent materials for the selective enrichment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and evaluate their application in advanced analytical workflows.

You will:

• Design, synthesize and characterize innovative fluorophilic adsorbent materials.
• Investigate adsorption mechanisms and structure-property relationships governing PFAS selectivity.
• Evaluate adsorption capacity, selectivity and mass-transfer characteristics of newly developed materials.
• Integrate and test novel adsorbents in sample preparation workflows for combustion ion chromatography.
• Compare developed materials with commercially available solutions and assess their performance in environmental samples.
• Publish your findings in international peer-reviewed journals and present your research at scientific conferences.
• Collaborate with academic and industrial partners within the project.

You hold a Master's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related field and are motivated to contribute to innovative environmental research.

You also bring:

• A strong interest in materials development, adsorption processes and analytical chemistry.
• Enthusiasm for experimental laboratory work and scientific problem solving.
• The ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative international research team.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Experience in polymer synthesis, materials characterization, chromatography or environmental analysis is welcome but not essential.

Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW is one of Switzerland's largest multidisciplinary universities of applied sciences, with over 14'000 students and 3'400 faculty and staff.

The Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology conducts cutting-edge research addressing societal and industrial challenges in chemistry, biotechnology and environmental science. You will work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment with excellent analytical infrastructure and strong academic and industrial networks.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams in order to promote equality, diversity and innovation.

We offer working conditions and terms of employment commensurate with higher education institutions and actively promote personal development for staff in leadership and non-leadership positions. A detailed description of advantages and benefits can be found at Working at the ZHAW . The main points are listed below:

We offer working conditions and terms of employment commensurate with higher education institutions and actively promote personal development for staff in leadership and non-leadership positions.

The ZHAW sees gender-balanced management as an advantage for the university.

The ZHAW Welcome Centre gives an overview and general information on living and working in Switzerland.