PhD PFAS removal with activated carbon in drinking water treatment

PFAS are among the most challenging contaminants facing drinking water utilities worldwide. Although granular activated carbon (GAC) is widely applied for PFAS removal, utilities face challenges with rapid PFAS breakthrough and as a consequence more frequent re-activation of activated carbon filters. The factors controlling breakthrough under realistic drinking water conditions remain insufficiently understood, particularly in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) in the water matrix.

As a PhD candidate, you will investigate how water composition, natural organic matter, and activated carbon properties influence PFAS removal in drinking water treatment. You will combine laboratory experiments, column studies, and data analysis to identify the factors governing PFAS breakthrough at environmentally relevant conditions and concentrations.

Working closely with drinking water company Evides, you will study PFAS adsorption in realistic drinking water matrices and evaluate how differences in NOM composition affect filter performance. The insights obtained in this project will support the development of improved operational strategies for activated carbon filtration and help drinking water utilities better predict and manage PFAS breakthrough in practice.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• investigating the mechanisms governing competitive adsorption of PFAS and natural organic matter on granular activated carbon;
• designing and conducting batch and column experiments at environmentally relevant PFAS concentrations;
• analysing experimental data and developing predictive tools for activated carbon filter performance;
• identifying key water quality parameters that can serve as indicators for PFAS breakthrough;
• publishing your results in international scientific journals and presenting your work at conferences.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the Chair Group of Environmental Technology at Wageningen University & Research. The Environmental Technology group develops scientific understanding and technologies for sustainable water treatment, resource recovery, and environmental protection.

You will be part of the Electrified Interfaces team, a research group studying transport, adsorption, reactions, and selectivity at environmental interfaces. Within this team, you will contribute to research on adsorption and separation processes for water treatment and environmental applications. The team is led by dr. Jouke E. Dykstra.

The project is carried out in close collaboration with Evides, one of the largest drinking water companies in the Netherlands, providing unique opportunities to connect fundamental research with real-world drinking water challenges.

The project will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Ir. A. van der Wal and co-supervised by Dr. Ir. Jouke E. Dykstra.