We announce a Phd position in Green Hydrogen Production by Electrochemical System within a collaborative project involving three countries: Thailand, Indonesia and Belgium. This consortium aims to advance Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) as a promising technology for bio-H₂ production from wastewater.

Application deadline: 15th April 2025

If interested, please send your CV, a motivation letter and one or more reference letters by email to Prof. Patricia Luis (patricia.luis@uclouvain.be) and to Prof. Patrick Gerin (Patrick.gerin@uclouvain.be). An interview (online or presential) will be organized with the selected candidates. More information about the research group isavailable at the link:

https://www.uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/immc/membrane-technology-for-a-sustainable-world

Candidate Profile:

Candidate with a Master diploma in the field of Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Environmental Engineering, or similar. A plus if the candidate has experience with membrane technology and/or fuel cells.

The candidate should have the following aptitudes:

• Willing to work in an international group
• Sociable, team worker, helpful and friendly
• Willing to travel (international conferences, workshops, network meetings)
• English is a mandatory language (high level in writing and spoken English). Speaking French is a plus.
• Basic knowledge on Life Cycle Assessment is a plus.

Status:

1-year PhD grant, renewable, starting as soon as possible (to be negotiated with the candidate).

Research topic:

Green Hydrogen Production by Electrochemical System

The world is stepping towards the sustainable hydrogen society that is a global sustainable solution to the economic, ecological, social and health threats of climate change and environmental pollution. Green H₂ is derived from renewable energy sources and offers a sustainable pathway to decarbonisation mainly through electrolysis of water.

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) emerge as a promising technology for bio-H₂ production from wastewater. The BESs combine electrochemical and biological processes to effectively harness the capabilities of microbes in wastewater treatment alongside with the generation of clean energy e.g. bioelectricity or bio-H₂. By supplying bioelectricity generated by a microbial fuel cell (MFC), green H₂ can be obtained from a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). Hence, the core concept of this proposal is on the integration of science, technology and innovation (STI) with sustainable-by-design approaches that recognise wastewater as a valuable resource for the reuse, recycling, restoration and energy generation. Through BESs, the perception of wastewater management shifts from a linear model to a circular one within the context of circular economy: not only consuming less but also consuming better. The research outputs will provide an innovative solution to address at the same time pollution and low-carbon energy production, which are significant drivers of extensive habitat destruction, unfavourable socio-economic impacts, and the global wastewater crisis. The diverse applications of BES technology make it a commendable technology for sustainable development. Its potential to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDG) includes goal 2 (Sustainable agriculture), goal 3 (Healthy lives and wellbeing for all), goal 6 (Access to water and sanitation for all), goal 7 (Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all), goal 9 (Resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation), goal 12 (Sustainable production and consumption), goal 13 (Combat climate change), goal 14 (Protect life under water), and goal 15 (Protect life on land).

This is a collaborative project in which three countries are involved: Thailand, Indonesia and Belgium. This consortium aims to advance BESs, which integrate a MEC and MFC to simultaneously treat wastewater and generate green energy (i.e. bioelectricity and bio-H2) from wastewater feedstock.

The specific objectives of UCLouvain in this big project are:

(i) To develop cost effective, functional and multipurpose membranes suitable for use in the integrated MEC and MFC unit, further H₂ purification and potentially CO₂ capture.

(ii) To conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the proposed BES system. This is crucial to demonstrate its contribution to mitigating environmental problems.

(iii) To establish the thematic institutional links and effective networks through technical and scientific cooperation among experts in various technical fields. This collaboration will empower them to replicate and adapt BES technology in their respective regions.