Simon Kuhn

KU Leuven is offering a PhD opportunity in the Department of Chemical Engineering, within the research group of Prof. Simon Kuhn, focused on transport processes and reactions in flow. The group combines experimental and computational approaches to address transport limitations and to support scale-up from lab to production. Its research includes microreactor technology, continuous and sustainable chemical processes, green activation methods such as ultrasound and photo-/electrochemistry, and advanced particle handling in flow systems. The project is part of the ERC Advanced Grant CrystalControl and addresses a major challenge in pharmaceutical manufacturing: understanding how fluid flow patterns and shear fields affect primary nucleation, nucleation kinetics, and polymorphism. Crystal properties are crucial for product performance, making this a highly relevant topic for pharmaceutical crystallization and process design. The PhD candidate will experimentally study nucleation under controlled shear fields and flow patterns, develop and operate microreactors and continuous crystallizers, quantify nucleation kinetics using induction time analysis, and integrate Raman spectroscopy with high-speed imaging. The research will also examine how flow conditions correlate with polymorph formation. Applicants should have an MSc in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, with strong overall marks. Prior knowledge of flow chemistry and crystallization is an advantage. Strong English communication skills are required, along with motivation and an interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemical engineering, spectroscopy, and pharmaceutical crystallization. The successful candidate will receive a PhD fellowship for up to four years and join an international team with global research links. KU Leuven is committed to an inclusive and respectful working environment. The application deadline is 2026-08-24.