Real-time COD Monitoring for Sustainable Water Management

The international Doctoral Program Environment Water (ENWAT) of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering Sciences University of Stuttgart Germany in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) opens a call for max. 2 PhD positions for research in Environment Water. Each project involves high-quality research and state-of-the-art techniques and is supervised by excellent researchers. We are looking for highly motivated and talented students with a passion for science. Candidates must demonstrate an excellent performance in their previous academic education.

Title:Real-time COD Monitoring for Sustainable Water Management

Advisors: Prof. Dr. Patrick Brutigam Dr. Manuel Deggelmann

Research group / department

Department of Technical Environmental Chemistry and Sensor Technology (TUC) at the Institute for Sanitary Engineering Water Quality and Solid Waste Management (ISWA)

Keywords: Water Quality Chemical Oxygen Demand Sensor Electrochemistry

Introduction / Background

Reliable monitoring and control of water systems is essential to protect water resources ensure hygienic standards and enable sustainable infrastructure operation. As challenges evolve including emerging contaminants like PFAS antibiotics and micropollutants along with climate-induced fluctuations and energy efficiency demands water technologies must become more adaptive and forwardlooking.

Sensor technology plays a key role in this transformation enabling real-time monitoring automation and intelligent decision-making.

Despite these needs many water treatment processes still rely heavily on centralized time-consuming laboratory analyses and manual adjustments. This is especially problematic for critical indicators such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) a key aggregate parameter that reflects the organic pollution load in water. Current COD determination methods are often discontinuous or spectroscopic and impractical for real-time application limiting their utility in dynamic data-driven process control.

A central objective is the development and optimization of robust low-maintenance and cost-effective sensor systems capable of continuously monitoring COD and other key parameters in near real-time. This includes exploring and advancing electrochemical sensor technologies.

The work will lay the foundation for the digital transformation of water infrastructure enhancing resilience efficiency and sustainability. By integrating real-time COD sensing into modern water management strategies the initiative not only addresses critical scientific challenges but also contributes to broader societal goals ensuring clean water modernizing infrastructure and supporting data-driven environmental stewardship in the face of global change.

References

• Lambertz S. Franke M. Stelter M. Braeutigam P. Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand with electrochemical methods: A review Chemical Engineering Journal Advances.
• Lambertz S. Franke M. Stelter M. Braeutigam P. Sensing of chemical oxygen demand (COD) by amperometric detectiondependence of current signal on concentration and type of organic species Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
• Dietrich M. Franke M. Stelter M. Braeutigam P. Degradation of endocrine disruptor bisphenol A by ultrasound-assisted electrochemical oxidation in water Ultrasonics sonochemistry-749.

Research goals

• Development of a real-time COD sensor based on enhanced electroanalytical detection principles
• Evaluate the sensitivity selectivity long-term stability and matrix effects of the respective methods
• Application under real environmental conditions (e.g. influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants surface waters).

Methods to be used

• Evaluation of various electroanalytical detection principles (e.g. amperometric potentiometric voltammetric chronoamperometric and impedimetric) and systematic investigation of their suitability for the analysis of water constituents
• Detection and quantification limits cross-sensitivity discrimination capability matrix effects and corresponding compensation strategies as well as aspects such as the linear working range and technical transferability

Prerequisites

• MSc in chemistry environmental chemistry analytical chemistry environmental engineering/sciences geo-hydrology or similar
• Knowledge about electrochemical analysis and water sensors
• Experience in analytical chemistry and contaminant hydrogeology
• Willingness to develop scientifically and motivation to learn new concepts

Further Prerequisites:

• Resume/CV showing the applicants background professional skills a list of publications and oral and poster presentations as well as additional achievements (scholarships awards etc.)
• . Dipl.-Ing. or equivalent degree in Civil Engineering Water Resources Management Environmental Engineering or related sciences
• . in Civil Engineering Water Resources Management Environmental Engineering or related sciences

Copies of Certificates and Transcripts including all undergraduate level certificates and university degrees. All documents which are not in English or in German must be accompanied by copies of a legally certified English translation (for the application we will accept copies; but please be aware that originals or legally certified copies will be needed for the final case any differences between the copies and the originals show up the application will be dismissed.)

Please make sure that the copies of the transcripts show not only the grades but also explain the home grades system (please add copy of the description of grade scale).

• At the time of nomination to the DAAD (Dec 2025) generally no more than 6 years should have passed since the last degree was gained.
• Only international (non-German) applicants can be accepted. At the time of nomination to the DAAD (Dec 2025) the candidate must not have been resident in Germany for more than the last 15 months.
• Unless native speaker: proficiency in English (e.g. TOEFL IELTS etc.) or proof that . and . programs were held in English.
• 2 Reference letters from university professors from the applicants home university issued during the last 2 years.
• Motivation letter describing the applicants work experience and research goals (1 page)
• Summary of all relevant information about the applicant (1 page) - please upload it in the slot designated for the third reference.

Research Environment

• Agile and versatile research environment
• Well-equipped workstations and laboratories
• Nice helpful and interdisciplinary team for professional exchange and pleasant working conditions