PhD position N2O monitoring and analysis of scale wastewater treatment plants

PROJECT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES

This vacancy concerns a joint PhD project between VITO, the Bio Co Research Group at Ghent University and Aquafin. The project focuses on improving the understanding, monitoring, and mitigation of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from full-scale wastewater treatment plants. N2O is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 273 times higher than that of CO2 and dominates the carbon footprint of biological wastewater treatment.

In addition, the recently revised European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive requires wastewater utilities to monitor and report N2O emissions, thereby increasing the need for reliable quantification methods and effective emission reduction strategies. The project contributes to the transition towards climate-neutral wastewater treatment and supports the sector in meeting future regulatory requirements.

As a PhD researcher, you will investigate N2O emissions in full-scale Flemish wastewater treatment plants through dedicated monitoring campaigns. To this end, you will (i) evaluate, develop and refine measurement techniques for continuous N₂O quantification, (ii) collect, process, and analyse high-frequency operational and emission data from full-scale WWTPs, (iii) identify the key process variables and operational conditions driving N₂O formation and emissions, and (iv) develop and apply mechanistic, data-driven and hybrid modelling approaches to improve the understanding and prediction of N₂O emissions.

Based on these insights, you will improve the understanding of N₂O production pathways in biological wastewater treatment and contribute to the development of operational and control strategies for N2O mitigation. You will also be responsible for communicating the project results through scientific publications, presentations at conferences and stakeholder meetings, and written technical reports.

The PhD research will be jointly hosted by VITO in Ostend under the supervision of Dr. Laurence Strubbe and the Bio Co Research Group at Ghent University under the supervision of Prof. Eveline Volcke. The successful candidate will spend approximately half of their time at VITO Ostend and half at Ghent University, benefiting from the complementary expertise and research environments of both institutions.

In addition, the research will involve on-site work at wastewater treatment plants across Flanders, where monitoring campaigns will be conducted to collect operational and N₂O emission data.

The project has already secured funding for a first evaluation period, with a start date of 1 October 2026. During this evaluation period of 11 months, the candidate will be encouraged and supported to develop proposal for evaluation of prolongation (e.g. by FWO and/or VITO, and other equivalent funding schemes), to secure funding for the remainder of the PhD trajectory.

VITO has a long-standing track record in water-related research and innovation. Multidisciplinary water teams work on addressing challenges associated with water quality, scarcity, climate resilience and the transition towards sustainable and circular water systems.

This PhD project is embedded within the circular water technologies team of VITO's Water & Energy Transition Unit. This team develops, integrates and scales innovative technologies to address current and future challenges in the water sector. Key research domains include:

• advanced monitoring and digitalization of water treatment processes;

• greenhouse gas emission monitoring and mitigation;

• removal of contaminants of emerging concern;

• concentrate and residual stream treatment;

• resource recovery from wastewater and water reuse.

To support these activities, VITO offers state-of-the-art laboratory and pilot-scale infrastructure, as well as a strong network of industrial and public‑sector stakeholders throughout Flanders and Europe.

Within this project, the candidate will closely collaborate with Dr. Laurence Strubbe, whose research focuses on greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment systems, including N₂O monitoring, process understanding and mitigation. Her expertise combines gas–liquid mass…