Mario Borlaf

This PhD position, funded by the industrial MSCA Doctoral Network, focuses on the fabrication of SiO₂-based ceramic membranes via additive manufacturing using recycled feedstock materials. Hosted at the Autonomous University of Madrid (Spain) in the Department of Inorganic Chemistry, the project is supervised by Dr. Mario Borlaf, with co-supervision from Dr. María José Fernández (University of Seville, Spain) and Dr. Maria Vozarova (RHP Technology GmbH, Austria). The research aims to valorize SiO₂ waste from various sources, optimize SiO₂ particle characteristics, develop UV-curable SiO₂-based slurries, fabricate membranes and supports using Digital Light Processing (DLP), and evaluate the resulting ceramic membranes through filtration experiments, textural and microstructural analysis, and mechanical characterization. The doctoral candidate will benefit from secondments at two companies: Viva (Seville, Spain) for 11 months, focusing on membrane deposition and filtration tests with real wastewater, and RHP Technology GmbH (Vienna, Austria) for 7 months, focusing on upscaling membrane support fabrication. Additional short stays at the University of Seville may be arranged. The position offers a full-time, 36-month employment contract with a gross salary of 3250 EUR/month, plus a family allowance of 660 EUR/month if applicable, in accordance with MSCA Doctoral Networks regulations. The contract includes full social security coverage and access to excellent research facilities and training opportunities in an international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral environment. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field, and demonstrate fluency in English. Skills in multivariate data analysis, experimental design, and prior experience in ceramics, colloidal processing, additive manufacturing, and membrane technology are highly valued. Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment and must not already hold a doctoral degree. The selection process emphasizes academic merit, motivation, and fit to the project, with a commitment to gender balance and inclusiveness. Applications must be submitted through the Autonomous University of Madrid’s online system (launching December), and prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Mario Borlaf for guidance. Required documents include a detailed CV, academic transcripts, motivation letter, recommendation letter(s), and a copy of the passport, all in English. The position is ideal for highly motivated candidates seeking advanced training in materials science, ceramics, and sustainable membrane technologies within a prestigious European doctoral network.