Electrostatic Spray Drying for Encapsulation of Thermosensitive Compounds

You will be working at the Ghent campus of KU Leuven, as part of the Soft Matter, Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) research group. You will join a new team led by the recently appointed Prof. D’Acierno, which is part of a larger, young, international, and growing department with strong ties to industry as well as other academic institutions in Belgium, Europe, and overseas.

SMaRT is a research group within the Department of Chemical Engineering at KU Leuven. Spread across different campuses, dozens of colleagues—including PhD students, postdocs, permanent research staff, and lab managers—work on a variety of projects related to soft and sustainable matter engineering, and (bio)chemical engineering for health and care, making it a stimulating work environment.

The PhD will be performed within the framework of the Arenberg Doctoral School: https://set.kuleuven.be/phd. The position is full-time and fully funded for four years, which is the nominal duration of a PhD program at KU Leuven.
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Project

The encapsulation of thermosensitive compounds is a critical challenge across multiple industries, including the food and beverage sector, the pharmaceutical industry, and energy storage applications. Electrostatic spray drying (ESD) is an innovative technique that offers a solution by producing fine powders that protect these sensitive compounds from degradation. Traditional spray drying relies on mechanical atomization to create droplets and uses hot air to evaporate the solvent. This process often requires higher temperatures, which can lead to the degradation of thermosensitive and air-sensitive compounds. Additionally, traditional spray drying may produce a broad particle size distribution and poor control over particle morphology. On the other hand, ESD is an advanced drying technology that utilizes electrostatic forces to produce ultra-fine, uniformly sized particles at lower temperatures under inert atmosphere. In ESD, an electrical charge is applied to the liquid feed, causing it to disperse into fine, charged droplets under the influence of an electric field. These droplets have a high surface area-to-volume ratio, allowing for rapid solvent evaporation and drying at significantly reduced temperatures compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, ESD is environmentally and economically advantageous compared to other drying techniques because it consumes less electricity and operates at lower temperatures, leading to reduced energy costs and a smaller environmental footprint. In alignment with sustainability goals and circular economy principles, this project will also explore the use of encapsulating materials derived from waste streams, such as agricultural by-products or food industry residues. The goal of this doctoral project is to develop advanced electrostatic spray drying processes to produce powders encapsulating thermosensitive compounds. You will investigate the optimization of process parameters, explore different encapsulating materials from waste residues, and assess the stability and release profiles of the encapsulated compounds under various conditions.

The candidate will start from existing methodologies developed within the Electa research group and will have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. The research will involve a combination of experimental work, process modeling, and collaboration with industry partners to ensure practical applicability of the findings.

As this position is not tied to a specific project grant, you have substantial academic freedom to shape your research according to your interests, within the scope described in this job advertisement and in agreement with your supervisor.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and communicative researcher with a Master's degree in in Chemical Engineering Technology. Both EU and international candidates are welcome to apply.

You should have obtained excellent study results and be keen on disseminating your research findings through scientific publications, conferences, and talks.

Furthermore:

• Strong interest in encapsulation technologies, process engineering, and sustainable materials is essential.
• Prior experience with the synthesis of organic molecules, spray drying, electrostatic processes, powder technology, or waste valorization is highly valued.
• Knowledge of circular economy principles and sustainable development is a plus.
• Proficient laboratory skills and experience with analytical techniques (e.g., optical microscopy, laser scattering, gas/liquid chromatography) are a significant advantage.
• Applicants should have strong English and Dutch communication skills, both written and oral.
• Enthusiasm to take care of lab sessions in the educational program Ma Engineering Technology at Campus Gent
• You are capable of working independently as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

The candidate should be willing to reside in Belgium. The workplace is in the city of Ghent, with opportunities to collaborate with the Leuven campus and the other research groups, especially the SMaRT group.

Offer

KU Leuven is currently the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure and is among the top European universities according to the Times Higher Education ranking, as well as the Reuters Top 100 of the World's Most Innovative Institutions. The SMaRT research group within the Department of Chemical Engineering is a key player in the field of soft matter and rheology, with a strong focus on innovative technologies and sustainability.

You will be part of a young and international team that addresses a broad range of research challenges related to advanced materials and sustainable processes.

We offer:

• A full-time and fully funded PhD position with comprehensive social security benefits.
• Multiple benefits, including health insurance, a laptop, and funding to attend international conferences or specialized training courses.
• An initial appointment for 12 months, renewable each year upon positive evaluation by the doctoral commission, leading up to a four-year PhD program.
• A PhD degree in Engineering Technology upon successful completion of the program.
• Access to highly specialized doctoral training and professional development opportunities.
• An exciting and dynamic research environment with access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment in the SMaRT group.
• Opportunities to collaborate on projects with industry partners and engage in public R&D initiatives with industry involvement.

The starting date is February, 1st, 2025.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. Luc Pinoy, mail:. Luc.Pinoy@kuleuven.be

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