PhD Application in Civil Engineering - Project Stimulating Biodegradation Of Organic Pollutants Towards VFA Via Stress-Induced Fermentation

I am XXX from China, a master student majoring in Civil Engineering (biological wastewater treatment direction) at Harbin Institute of Technology. I am writing to express my strong interest in pursuing a PhD position in Civil Engineering at Delft University of Technology and to contribute to the Project Stimulating Biodegradation Of Organic Pollutants Towards VFA Via Stress-Induced Fermentation. My research interests lie in the area of the fate of micro-pollutants in the environment and nutrient recovery, which are closely related to the research field of the aforementioned project. I am particularly interested in exploring the distribution and conversion of micro-pollutants in different phases (e.g., EPS, inorganic solid, and liquid) before and after fermentation, and constructing mathematical models to predict the fate of micro-pollutants in sludge treatment processes.

During my undergraduate studies, I conducted research on biochar, which sparked my initial interest in academic research. This led me to pursue a master's degree in biological wastewater treatment, specifically focusing on enhanced biological phosphorus removal via granular sludge. Through this research, I gained extensive experience in investigating sludge properties such as extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community using various methods and facilities (e.g., XRD, ICP-MS, EPS analysis, and metagenomics). I successfully achieved enhanced phosphorus removal and published part of my findings in a peer-reviewed journal. Additionally, I collaborated with other researchers on a project related to sulfur autotrophic denitrification and anammox bacteria, further enhancing my teamwork and communication skills.

Furthermore, I had an internship at Guangzhou Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute, where I discovered the importance of fundamental research in engineering application. This experience emphasized the need for theoretical guidance in addressing the challenges faced in municipal construction. I am motivated to contribute theoretical support to the field of sludge treatment and waste sludge recycling through my future research.

I believe that my previous academic experiences, combined with my self-motivation and enthusiasm for academic research, have equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to the research in this field. Pursuing a PhD degree is a journey of continuous learning and self-challenging, and I see this project as an ideal opportunity to further cultivate my passion for conducting research and enrich my academic and engineering knowledge.

I am confident that my background and research interests align well with the objectives of the Project Stimulating Biodegradation Of Organic Pollutants Towards VFA Via Stress-Induced Fermentation. I am eager to collaborate with excellent faculty and engineers at Delft University of Technology and contribute to innovative research in sludge treatment.

Thank you for considering my application. I would be honored to be part of this project and contribute to the field of sludge treatment. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further and to contribute to the pursuit of scientific excellence at this project.