Understanding, Optimizing, and Safeguarding the Thermal Desorption and Destruction of PFAS

Australia is facing rampant contamination of its precious land and water resources by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The widespread use of toxic and bioaccumulative PFAS has unfortunately led to their ubiquitous occurrence in the environment. Complete destruction of PFAS in environmental matrices is desirable, but the extraordinary stability of their carbon-fluorine bonds is challenging even for the most advanced remediation technologies. Thermal treatment is currently the only available full-scale option for PFAS. While shown to be capable of complete PFAS breakdown, further research into thermal treatment is required to optimize process efficiency and ensure safe treatment without the generation of potentially harmful by-products into the environment.

This project aims to unravel and enhance the underlying PFAS decomposition mechanisms in a commercial thermal desorption unit, where PFAS are first desorbed from impacted soils and subsequently destroyed in the gas phase. In this multi-disciplinary collaboration between CSIRO, academia and industry, the PhD student will have the unique opportunity to implement their bench-scale work at a full-scale facility, developing skills in chemical engineering, analytical chemistry, and environmental remediation. Supporting ongoing research sponsored by the ARC and the U.S. Department of Defense, the impacts of this research are expected to be global.

The scholarship includes a  60-day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner.

For additional information please see CSIRO Industry PhD (iPhD) Program and  CSIRO Industry PhD Program: Current scholarships - CSIRO

Ideal student skillset
Essential:
*Background in chemical engineering, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, or a closely related field.
*Excellent communication, organisational, and teamworking skills.
Desirable:
*Robust experience in spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and/or computational chemistry is preferred.
*Forward-thinking, innovative, and creative students are encouraged.

Eligibility Criteria

The student must:
*Be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand citizen.
*Meet the minimum eligibility criteria for admission.
*Meet university English language requirements.
*Not have previously completed a PhD.
*Be able to commence the Program in the year of the offer.
*Enrol as a full-time PhD student.
*Be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that the host university has approved and, if required, comply with the host university’s external enrolment procedures.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants should send an email expressing their interest along with scanned copies of their academic transcripts, CV, a brief statement of their research interests and a proposal that specifically links them to the research project. Applications are open until position is filled.
*The EOI is assessed by the supervisory team and shortlisted applicants are interviewed.
*The supervisory team nominates a preferred applicant.
*The application is assessed by the university against PhD admission criteria.
*The university will issue a letter of offer for the program if all conditions have been satisfied.

Please send the email expressing interest to Eric.Kennedy@newcastle.edu.au by 5pm on 01 January 2018.