PhD position; molecular environmental chemistry

PhD student position in molecular environmental chemistry Announced by the Department of Chemistry. This PhD position is concerned with understanding soil-mineral dissolution at a fundamental molecular level to help explain the behavior of environmental systems at both local and global scales.The position is financed by the university, and additional funding for the research is through a grant from the Swedish Research Council (Grant Number: 2005-20430-33249-27).The manner in which a ligand adsorbs to a mineral surface determines its reactivity.For example, inner-spherically adsorbed ligands are thought to enhance mineral dissolution, while outer-spherically adsorbed ligands are believed to have little or no influence on the dissolution rate.The main goal of the student's research will be to find and explain correlations between the rates and extents of mineral dissolution and the types and concentrations of ligand-mineral surface complexes. The student will use a multifaceted approach to investigate the effect of adsorbed organic and inorganic ligands on the dissolution of important soil minerals.Experiments will be performed under equilibrated and disequilibrated conditions using macroscopic (e.g.adsorption, potentiometric, isotopic exchange) and molecular (e.g.FTIR, XPS, EXAFS) techniques, as well as ab initio quantum-mechanical calculations (Gaussian 2003).The focus of the research will begin with the iron(III)-hydroxide mineral, goethite.However, other important soil minerals may also be examined, including gibbsite, manganite, hydroxyapatite, and kaolinite.Model ligands to be studied include oxalate, phosphate, desferrioxamine-B, and EDTA. To qualify for this position, the student must have received a minimum of 90 ECTS in chemistry and 180 ECTS overall, or equivalent competence.It would be valuable if the student had an understanding of solution thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, spectroscopy, and surface chemistry.We are looking for a hard working, versatile, and persistent student that is interested in questioning conventional ideas and developing new methods. The application should contain a CV, academic grades, and a personal letter of one A4 sheet that describes yourself and explains why you are applying for this position.Please also include the names and phone numbers of two reference persons. For more information, contact Dr. Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled.Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-997-06 should be sent to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive April 27, 2006 at the latest.