International PhD position in Persian Gulf University (PGU), Iran

Membrane bioreactors applied to wastewater treatment from pharmaceutical industries

The sustainable membrane technology research group (SMTRG), Persian Gulf University (PGU), Iran invites applications for a PhD position in wastewater treatment by membrane technology. The starting date for the position is the 18th of June 2024 and will be agreed upon with the eligible candidate. The position offers a chance to share the expertise of chemical engineering within chemical engineering, sustainable process design, and wastewater treatment by membrane technology.

For more information on the Research group, please see: http://smtrg.pgu.ac.ir/
For more information on international student affairs, please see: https://intl.pgu.ac.ir/en
For more information on studying at PGU and living in Bushehr please visit: https://www.pgu.ac.ir/en


Job description
Pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, are essential for public health, but the discharge of wastewater from pharmaceutical industries containing high levels of antibiotics poses a significant environmental threat. These contaminants have adverse effects on the environment and human health, necessitating effective solutions to mitigate their impact. Traditional wastewater treatment methods used by pharmaceutical industries are insufficient in completely removing antibiotics, leading to the need for alternative approaches. Various strategies, such as chemical, physical, biological, and conditional-based methods, have been suggested for antibiotic removal. The most promising solution involves integrating membrane processes with advanced oxidation processes, adsorption, and biological treatments. The membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology, which combines biological processes with membrane filtration, offers significant advantages over conventional methods like activated sludge. However, challenges such as membrane design and fouling phenomena need to be addressed to make MBRs practical on a larger scale. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial for the widespread implementation of MBR plants and for improving the overall process economy in treating wastewater contaminated with antibiotics from pharmaceutical industries.

It is preferred if the candidate has experiences and contributions within one or more of the following areas:
·        Membrane separation
·        Wastewater treatment
·        Process design and LCA

Requirements:
The candidate must have an M.Sc. degree or equivalent in chemical engineering.

How to apply:
To start the submission of the application, please email your B.Sc. and M.Sc. transcripts and certificates along with your CV to Dr. S. A. Hashemifard through:
salhashemifard@pgu.ac.ir

Deadline
please note that the applicants must apply for the position until 21st July 2024.

Tuition fee:
All tuition fees including accommodation, food and research will be covered by Persian Gulf University.