Research Assistant in Analytical and Environmental Organic 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 centre 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.
Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Focus on chemical risks in wastewater reuse
Recycling water and extracting nutrients from domestic wastewater is of growing interest to society and an important part of the transition to a circular economy. Source-separated wastewater fractions, e.g., blackwater and grey water, enables efficient recycling of nutrients and water. However, current sanitization and purification techniques are not effective for all organic micropollutants. This is of particular concern for persistent, mobile, bioaccumulative and toxic pollutants. Antibiotic residues in particular are a group of the emerging pollutants that promote antibiotic resistance. Thus, reuse of wastewater can endanger public health and the environment. This project aims to increase knowledge about risks of antimicrobial resistance and specific antimicrobial contaminants in wastewater intended for reuse. The project is within the VA-kluster Mälardalen supported by the Swedish Water (Svenskt Vatten).

Duties:
We are seeking for a research assistant, who will organize wastewater sampling and perform routine sample extraction and analysis for antimicrobial and other chemical contaminants. The duties will also include data acquisition and evaluation with statistical tools, writing scientific manuscripts in English and participate in the project’s meetings.

Qualifications:
Applicants should hold a MSc in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, or equivalent. Specialisation towards chemical analysis in environmental matrices and experience with chemical analysis using mass spectrometry are valuable merits. High 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 (both spoken and written) is required.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Fixed term employment of 6 months, with possible extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
2022-10-17 or according to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2022-09-20, use the button below. The application should include: i) CV, ii) a short description of experience indicating your suitability for the position, iii) copies of degree certificates from higher education, and iv) contact information of at least one reference person.

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



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

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.

www.slu.se