We offer a full-time PhD position in the Chemical and Biochemical Reactor Engineering and Safety Division (CREaS) at the Department of Chemical Engineering at KU Leuven. The mission of CREaS is to innovate and apply (bio)chemical reactor technologies to increase the performance and safety of processes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, healthcare, waste water treatment, and energy conversion and storage. CREaS and the Department of Chemical Engineering aim to provide a balance between creative fundamental and applied research by integrating expertise, methodologies, and techniques from different domains into chemical engineering. These range from micro- to macroscopic process analyses, via advanced experimentation, modelling and design, to optimization and control. Given the prevalence and economical importance of the chemical process industry in Belgium, the societal role of our department in the education and training of chemical engineers (MSc and PhD) is very important. At KU Leuven, we offer a vibrant and international working environment with access to the latest technologies and expertise. KU Leuven ranks among the top universities in Europe (top 50 worldwide) in the major university rankings. At our university, department, and division, we commit to creating an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment.
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Project
Why work on optimization methods in a chemical engineering department?
Chemical engineering is concerned with the transformation of material in industrial processes, e.g., to produce chemicals, medicine, food, or energy carriers. Research focus lies on current global challenges such as ensuring clean water supply, supporting the transition from fossil to renewable feedstock and energy sources, or storing renewable electricity. For decades already, chemical engineering has heavily relied on computational methods to design and analyze new processes or monitor and control existing plants. This entails the use of various methods from scientific computing, in particular mathematical optimization. Therefore, there is a long history not only of application but also development of optimization methods at the interface of chemical engineering, mathematics, and computer science.
Why nonconvex optimization methods for engineering?
Many of the optimization problems in (chemical) engineering are nonconvex. In particular, nonconvex nonlinear programs (NLPs) arise in parameter estimation (nonlinear least-squares), process design (e.g., for flowsheet optimization), or process operation (e.g., for real-time optimization or optimal control of chemical processes). Therefore, the ability to solve nonconvex NLPs is critical for our ability to analyze, design, and operate complex chemical processes. Unfortunately, nonconvex NLPs remain challenging to solve, and further developments are urgently needed to enable us to identify high-quality solutions with suitable computational effort for the large-scale, highly nonlinear problems arising in real-world applications. The group of Prof. Bongartz within CREaS is developing methods for solving such optimization problems together with international partner institutions. The methods are also implemented in open-source software such as the global optimization solver MAiNGO.
What will you do in this project?
This project aims at developing and analyzing new methods for solving nonconvex optimization problems. In particular, it aims at merging local and global information in a new class of optimization methods that combines benefits from existing local and global optimization algorithms, thus bridging these two fields. The work includes development of new theory and algorithms, as well as implementation and testing on engineering problems. You will collaborate closely with other developers and users of optimization methods from the fields of chemical and energy engineering.
Profile
- You have a master’s degree in an Engineering discipline, Mathematics, or Computer Science
- You enjoy programming, and ideally have experience in C++
- You have a strong interest in mathematical methods, and ideally experience in optimization
- You are a team player and interested in contributing to open-source projects
- You are well-organized and have a critical and creative mindset
- You are a good communicator and are proficient in written and spoken English
Offer
- A full-time PhD position at one of the top universities in Europe
- Support to successfully obtain a PhD degree after 4 years of research and attending courses
- A dynamic, multidisciplinary, and international research environment
- A competitive salary and many more benefits at KU Leuven
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dominik Bongartz at dominik.bongartz@kuleuven.be. To apply for the position, please submit (1) a concise motivation letter, (2) a detailed Curriculum Vitae, (3) transcripts of your previous degrees including grades and list of courses, and (4) a list with at least two references (name, function, and e-mail address) through the online application portal. The starting date of the position is as soon as possible.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
