Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) in Membrane Capacitive Deionisation or Membrane-Based Lithium Recovery from Battery Recycling Effluents

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 31 Dec 2026 - 23:58 (Europe/Brussels) Programme UE : Horizon Europe (other) Département : Department of materials engineering (MTM) Domaine : Engineering » Materials engineering

The Vandeginste research group at KU Leuven, Belgium, is recruiting doctoral students in Membrane Capacitive Deionisation or Membrane-Based Lithium Recovery from Battery Recycling Effluents to conduct research on selective separation and recovery of lithium and other high value-added metal ions from battery recycling streams. Project Background and Position Research Content: This doctoral project mainly researches the recovery and utilization of lithium and other high value-added metal ions present in complex waste liquids generated during the direct recycling of waste batteries, based on membrane capacitor deionization technologies, and aims to develop electrochemical application technologies with high selectivity, high stability, and application potential. The research will combine functionalized ion exchange membranes with electrochemical processes, and through membrane material design, electrode regulation, and electrochemical process optimization, achieve efficient enrichment and selective separation of lithium and other metal ions in battery system waste liquids; Based on this, the stability of the MCDI device will be evaluated and optimized, and feasibility studies on integration and application in direct recycling processes will be conducted. The project will carry out extensive cooperation with various European universities and industrial partners. Application Requirements: 1. Background in chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, electrochemistry, or related fields; 2. Candidates with strong research experience in CDI, electrocatalysis, ion exchange membranes, membrane separation, flow batteries, electrochemical energy storage, electrode material design, electrochemical metallurgy, etc. are preferred; 3. Good English communication and writing skills; 4. Able to conduct research relatively independently and publish high-level SCI papers; candidates passionate about scientific research are preferred. Expected project start date: Early-2027 (application deadline is December 31, 2026). Application method: Interested candidates are encouraged to send an email to Professor Veerle Vandeginste ( [email] ) as early as possible, along with relevant application materials such as CV and motivation letters. Please indicate "PhD application MCDI" in the email subject line with Junru Wang ([email] ) in CC. After initial screening, applicants will receive further replies and an interview invitation. For more information or instructions, please contact Professor Veerle Vandeginste ( [email] ) or PhD student Junru Wang ([email] ) in the group.

The Vandeginste research…