MSCA - Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) on "New concepts and potential applications of electrodiffusio-osmotic phenomena in micro-systems”

Research project description

The electrodiffusio-osmotic phenomena occupy a domain where transport phenomena, fluid mechanics, chemical thermodynamics, physical chemistry and electrostatics meet. Because they involve different disciplines, these phenomena have a variety of remarkable and surprising implications, which may lend themselves to very innovative applications. Due to their interfacial nature, these phenomena are dominant in confined geometries and therefore play a major role in micro- and nano-fluidics. This is a rapidly expanding field, mainly (but not only) driven by the development of advanced technologies for biomedical applications (separation of proteins and biomolecules, micromanipulation of single cells, etc.) and energetic applications (micro-generation/conversion of energy, etc.). In addition, the development of new applications of electrodiffusio-osmotic flows and phenomena would have an impact on priority areas such as the decontamination of wet soils and the production of water for civil use from seawater, as well as on understanding the behaviour of a variety of important ecological systems.

The aim of this project is to conceive and study new general configurations of these phenomena, suitable for application in the above-mentioned fields of technology. The project is expressed in the construction and analysis of appropriate physico-mathematical models of such configurations, capable of representing and describing their behaviour.

Sound expertise in transport phenomena, fluid mechanics and applied mathematics is required as well as good general knowledge of chemical engineering, chemical thermodynamics and physical chemistry.

The project will be supervised by Prof. Ing. Vincenzo Tricoli, Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering (section of Chemical Engineering), University of Pisa.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications (13^th September 2023). Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply.

At the call deadline, the applicant must have a maximum of 8 years experience in research, from the date of the award of their PhD degree. Years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe.

Mobility Rule: The applicant may be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy (for European Fellowships) or the host organisation for the outgoing phase (in case of Global Fellowship) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before 13^th September 2023.

Application procedure

Expressions of interest must be sent by email to vincenzo.tricoli@unipi.it no later than June 10^th, 2023 and must consist of two pdf files:

1. Complete and updated CV, clearly demonstrating all 3 eligibility requirements.
2. Motivation letter, maximum one page.