We're looking,
Are you a very passionate and curious person? Do you want to contribute to the development of new processes to eliminate anthropogenic contaminants in drinking water treatment? Do you have a good understanding of the basics of physics and chemistry to study the removal of anthropogenic compounds? Do you enjoy courses on process engineering and mathematical modeling?
We are looking for PhD candidates with great interest in developing new processes to eliminate organic anthropogenic compounds, such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industries and other chemicals in drinking water treatment. The presence of this component in the environment threatens the intake of surface water and groundwater for drinking water. Especially polar compounds with low molecular weight, soluble in water, and problematic. Low concentrations of these compounds can pose a threat to the environment and human health, due to endocrine, mutagenic, carcinogenic or other toxic effects.
You will develop new technologies to eliminate perfluorinated compounds, which are partially hydrophobic and partly hydrophilic, and which are difficult to eliminate by commonly used absorbers (e.g. activated carbon). You will modify chemically absorbent surfaces (or purchase commercially modified chemically modified absorbers) to effectively eliminate these contaminants. Although some research has been conducted in this field, with known materials (commercial), solid mechanistic understanding is still lacking. In this project, you will study the various interactions between perfluorinated and absorbent compounds.
The goal is not only to develop new technologies to eliminate perfluorination compounds, but also and most importantly, we aim to improve our mechanistic understanding. Therefore, you will develop and use theoretical models, which we will compare with experimental data, to study and measure surface interactions. Based on theoretical understanding, you will synthesize or purchase other materials, and we will design an effective transfer process.
We asked
- You have an MSc in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Molecular Life Sciences or
- You have a good understanding of the basics of the principles of physics and chemistry to study the removal of perfluorination compounds.
- You enjoy courses on process engineering and mathematical modeling, and you have experience in building your own theoretical models to analyze experimental data.
- You are very excited and very curious. "Why?" is a question you often ask. You really want to learn new things.
- You enjoy doing experimental research, and you do these experiments accurately.
- You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team in an international environment and you work independently;
- You have good oral and written communication skills in English (minimum IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90).
We offer
We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with an extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month is €2,395, – in the first year it rises to €3,061, – per month in the fourth year for a full working week for 38 hours in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Wageningen University.
In addition, We Offer
- 8% holiday allowance.
- Year-end structural bonuses of 8.3%.
- Excellent training opportunities and secondary working conditions.
- Flexible working hours and holidays can be determined through consultation so that the optimal balance between work and personal life is possible.
- Excellent retirement plan through ABP.
- 232 hours of vacation, the option to buy an additional leave scheme and a good addition.
- Flexible working time: the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per extra week and thus establish extra leave.
- The model of choice to collect yourself a portion of your working conditions, such as a bike plan.
- A lively workplace where you can easily make contact and where many activities take place at Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research, and business are represented.
- Use sports facilities on campus.
Wageningen University & Research makes career opportunities and internal mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are many opportunities for self-initiative in a learning environment.
We offer versatile work in an international environment with a variety of activities in a fun and open work environment.
More information
For more information about this function, please contact Jouke Dykstra, Assistant Professor, phone +31 317 488 110 or by e-mail; jouke.dykstra@wur.nl.
For more information about the procedure, please contact Joes van Meurs, HR advisor, +31 317-480101.
General information about Environmental Technology can be found in www.wageningenur.nl/ete.
The vacancy is open until October 1.