PhD student Lignin-sourced carbons for biorefinery hydrogenation catalysts and biogas desulfurization (LIGNOCATS)

Background
You will be mainly based in the Analytical and Circular Chemistry (ACC) group at Hasselt University, where you will collaborate in a team of approximately 10 PhD researchers and 10 research technicians. More information can be found on our website: https://www.acchemlab.com/. Within the ACC and BMG groups, a strong research focus is present directed towards material development for a carbon-neutral future. In this context, the pursuit of recovering renewable materials from biomass waste is a key aspect in the EU sustainable resource management targets.

The ACC group is embedded within the IUMAT research institute, an international and state-of-the-art environment bringing together chemists, physicists and engineers to bridge the gap between atomic-level science and real-world applications.
 

Job content
This is a call for candidates to join our research team in the framework of a joint-PhD application between UHasselt (Belgium) and Université de Lorraine (France). During your PhD trajectory, you will be mainly based at UHasselt (in the Analytical and Circular Chemistry (ACC) Group, IUMAT, prof. W. Marchal, prof. D. Vandamme), yet regular exchanges with the Biosourced materials group (BMG, ULorraine, the Institut Jean Lamour laboratory, prof. S. Cherniak, prof. V. Fierro) are planned.
We look for PhD candidates with a strong curiosity for discovering new pathways to convert lignin waste streams into specialty activated carbon-based catalysts. Several functionalization routes based on lignin amination and phosphorylation prior to thermochemical conversion will be explored. Finally, the obtained structures will be explored in catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) and as H2S scavengers for biogas desulfurization. You will be involved in the development of challenging and novel functionalization approaches to design activated carbons with tunable surface groups. Establishing correlations between the lignin structure and the properties of the obtained carbon catalysts/adsorbents will be of pivotal importance, requiring a strong background in biomass chemistry and analytical method development, data interpretation and surface science.
You will conduct research in 2 partnering research groups, write and publish scientific articles, actively participate in international and national congresses/meetings and develop your soft- and technical- skills by via international research stays and (doctoral school) training courses, with the aim of writing a doctoral dissertation. You will get the opportunity to build expertise in thermochemical conversions, surface characterization tools , textural and compositional analysis of complex materials.

Profile

• You habe obtained a master degree in exact sciences (chemistry, material sciences or equivalent) or a master degree in engineering (chemistry, material sciences or equivalent) or equivalent, or you will have obtained this degree by the start of the position.
• You are proficient in commonly used software programs, particularly MS Office applications.
• You are willing to refine your knowledge and skills in line with professional needs.
• You are willing to undertake short-term assignments abroad.

• You are a team player and work well in a team setting.

• You communicate fluently in English and able to report clearly and regularly.
• You are able to clearly present and report project results.
• You take a pragmatic approach to finding solutions.
• You possess the necessary qualities to function effectively within a multidisciplinary research group.
• You work analytically and have a strong sense of structure.
• You work proactively and meticulously, with a focus on achieving a high-quality end result.

Offer
You will be appointed and paid as PhD student.
We offer you a two-year PhD scholarship, which will be extended for another two years, subject to a positive intermediate evaluation by the doctoral committee.

Selection procedure
You can only apply online up to and including 18 September 2026.
The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview.

Further information
Prof. dr. Wouter MARCHAL, +32-11-268392, [email protected]

For questions about the selection procedure, please email [email protected].