EngD position: Designing electrically-driven separation processes for proteins

Are you interested in designing innovative separation methods that use an electric field as an additional driving force? Can you combine experimental with simulation results into a design that is relevant for industrial partners? If so, these may be the ideal Eng D position for you.

Waste streams that originate from processing agrifood materials still contain many valuable components, including proteins. Recovering these components is challenging, as current separation technologies often require a large energy input and use large amounts of chemicals. It is furthermore far from trivial to separate these components from inherently complex agrifood matrices. Recovering these components using sustainable separation methods is therefore a key priority when working towards a circular economy. This Eng D project will revolve around designing green separation technology for waste stream valorization by electrification. We will use electric fields as a driving force to create mild, yet highly effective, conditions that can be tailored to the specific properties of the agrifood materials of interest. 

As an Eng D researcher, your ultimate goal is to provide a prototype for a novel separation processes that specifically targets protein molecules. You will combine knowledge on electrostatic interactions, fluid dynamics and machine design to develop a scalable process that has a technology readiness level of 6. You will focus on separation efficiency in terms of yield, purity and energy-usage, but also on the product and process in a broader context. This includes the effect of processing on product functionality and compatibility of the process with existing equipment and processing lines. 

The design process will be guided by both simulations as well as experimental work and is carried out in close collaboration with an industrial partner, and you will become an integral part of the ReCoVR project. The project – more information in this video -  is carried out by a consortium that consists of 5 academic institutes, 14 industrial partners, and 2 support organisations. Because of the multi-disciplinary character of the design project, it is essential that you participate actively in consortium meetings, and work together with other stakeholders. 

In your position as an EngD researcher, you will:

• combine knowledge on electrostatic interactions, fluid dynamics and machine design;
• design a novel, scalable, separation process for proteins that uses electric fields as a driving force;
• provide a prototype that shows a technology readiness level of 6;
• work in close collaboration with both industrial- and academic partners in food sciences;
• share research outcomes through consortium updates, reports, and possibly research papers.

You will work here

The research is embedded within the chair group of Food Process Engineering, and members of the Food Micro-Technology team, which is led by Prof. Karin Schroën. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Patrick Wilms.

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about bridging the gap between food science and equipment design and modelling. You may be a chemical engineer or a food- or bioprocess engineer with strong computational skills. We are looking for a candidate who is hands-on with both hardware and software and can translate results obtained through experimental investigation and computational analysis to equipment design for the separation of real-world food systems. 

You also possess:

• a successfully completed, or soon to be completed, MSc degree in the field of (electro)chemical engineering, food process engineering, or bioprocess engineering;
• a strong motivation and enthusiasm to connect experimental and modelling observations into a separation system design;
• affinity and/or experience with modelling software and working in a laboratory environment;
• a strong interest in creating sustainable solutions for a liveable future;
• a creative mindset, excellent analytical and communication skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary and international team.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded EngD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary is € 3.029,- per month according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale TOIO). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a 1 year contract, that can be extended with a second year contract if you perform well.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact Patrick Wilms, Assistant Professor, via email: patrick.wilms@wur.nl.

Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Evelien Janssen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: evelien.janssen@wur.nl. 

Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total ):

• complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages);
• motivation letter (max. 1 page).

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply up to and including 17 August 2026.  

Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

EngD position: Designing electrically-driven separation processes for proteins – Fill out form

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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