PhD Student (f/m/d) Experimental analyses of Ion-Specific effects on Bubble-Particle Attachment and Bubble-Bubble Coalescence in Flotation – 2026/35 Part-time

PhD Student (F/M/D) Experimental Analyses Of Ion-Specific Effects On Bubble-Particle Attachment And Bubble-Bubble Coalescence In Flotation

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

The Institute of Fluid Dynamics is conducting basic and applied research in the fields of thermo-fluid dynamics and magnetohydrodynamics in order to improve the sustainability, the energy efficiency and the safety of industrial processes.

The Department of Fluid Dynamics Resource Technology Processes is looking for a PhD Student (f/m/d) for the position: Experimental analyses of ion-specific effects on bubble-particle attachment and bubble-bubble coalescence in flotation.

Your Tasks

• Measure ion-specific effects on bubble-particle attachment and detachment using an innovative flotation kinetics apparatus
• Study particles from industrial partners to map attachment and detachment kinetics as functions of water composition, reagents, dosages, and their interactions
• Quantify ion-specific effects on bubble coalescence using innovative multicolour thin-film interferometry
• Evaluate synergistic effects between ions in recycled water and added frothing agents, and determine film lifetimes for model development
• Use an inline endoscope and an optical fiber Doppler probe (OFDP) to determine bubble surface loading as well as bubble size and velocity
• Integrate and interpret measurement data to derive robust relationships between water chemistry, reagents, and interfacial flotation mechanisms
• Support model development and model parameterization (e.g., attachment/detachment kinetics, coalescence models) based on experimental data
• Document, present, and publish results in reports, scientific contributions, and project meetings

Your Profile

• Completed university studies (Master/Diploma) in the field of Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry (especially Physical Chemistry / Surface Chemistry), Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a comparable discipline
• Experience in or strong interest in interfacial physics/chemistry, surface science, wetting, thin films, and colloidal/interfacial phenomena
• Experience in or strong interest in bubble-particle interactions, especially attachment/detachment and flotation kinetics
• Basic familiarity with multiphase measurement systems (e.g., optical probes, inline endoscopy, interferometric methods) is an advantage
• Interest in model development and model parameterization based on experimental data (e.g., kinetic models, coalescence models) is desirable
• Independent, structured, and reliable way of working in the laboratory
• Strong problem-solving skills in experimental setup, instrumentation, and measurement campaigns
• Good teamwork and communication skills in an interdisciplinary project environment
• Willingness to collaborate with industrial and academic partners and to participate in experimental campaigns; a secondment of around 3 months in Cape Town, South Africa is planned
• Good programming skills for data analysis, image processing, and model fitting (e.g., Python, MATLAB)
• Good written and spoken English

Our Offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits
• An employer subsidy for the “Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket”

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.