PhD position in Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment
The Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment (www.slu.se/aquatic-sciences) is working with applied environmental science, with a national responsibility for assessing the condition of Swedish surface waters with respect to water chemistry, pollution and aquatic biota. The department has some 130 employees. The research focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, as well as on aquatic ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry. The department is part of a Soil-Water-Environment cluster, a recently established competence center for landscape-level processes that also includes the Departments of ‘Soil and Environment’ and ‘Energy and Technology’. The breadth of expertise among the 300 members in combination with a well-equipped infrastructure creates a unique platform for high quality research as well as environmental monitoring and assessment.
PhD position in Environmental Analytical Chemistry Focusing on Non-Target Screening of Micropollutants in Water
The project (SAFESTORM) aims at increased understanding of the performance of current storm water treatment methods as filters for organic micropollutants with a special focus on persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) substances and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). This will be achieved by analysis of organic micropollutants and mixture effects in influent and effluent water and prioritization of chemical substances based on occurrence and toxicity.  Chemical pollution of the aquatic environment is of concern for aquatic organisms as well as for human health, as many water sources are used for drinking water production. While tens of thousands of chemicals are circulating in the environment, the regulatory agencies are in urgent need to identify compounds or complex mixtures, which can cause toxic effects.

Description:
We are seeking for a PhD student who will work with development and evaluation of on-site remediation technologies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-contaminated groundwater. Hereby, a combination of treatment technologies will be tested in pilot-scale in the field including surface foam fractionation, anion exchange filters, electrochemical oxidation and phytoremediation at a landfill in Sweden and an industrial site in Spain. The duties also include collaboration with engineers, environmental sampling, extraction of aqueous environmental samples, PFAS analysis using LC-MS/MS, processing of large data sets, data analysis, statistical evaluation and scientific manuscript writing in English. You will work in an international, interdisciplinary team consisting of several senior researchers and PhD students (https://www.slu.se/en/ew-cv/lutz-ahrens).

Qualifications:
Applicants shall hold a MSc in chemical engineering, environmental chemistry, or equivalent. Specialization towards engineering of treatment processes, analysis of micropollutants in water and experience with chemical modelling are highly valuable merits. Data processing skills using statistical computing and graphics, e.g. R and MATLAB, are of merits too. Previous experience with remediation engineering and chemical analytical laboratory work is desirable. Emphasis is also placed on personal characteristics such as interpersonal skills, analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently. Proficiency in English (spoken and written) is required.

Place of work:      
Uppsala

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment (4 years)

Starting date:
2022-02-01

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2021-12-01, use the button below.

A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Please observe that applicant/s chosen to participate in an interview shall hand in certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts from previous studies at an internationally recognized higher education institution (university or university college) and transcripts in connection to the interview. If the applicant is a foreign citizen we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photography.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/programmes-courses/doctoral-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.