PhD Scholarship within Phosphorus Recovery from Sediments and Wastewater Sludge
A three-year PhD position is available at the Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. The start date is 1 February 2021, or soon thereafter. Application deadline: 16 December 2020.
Project background
In general, most of the European lakes are in poor conditions, primarily due to excess phosphorus (P) added to the catchment. In addition, P is a non-renewable resource essential as fertilizer to ensure sufficient food production. Phosphorus in Danish wastewater is estimated to cover 15-25 % of the Danish demand and consequently constitutes an important source for P recovery and recycling. But a P circular approach should also apply to other systems where P accumulate. Lake sediments contain large amounts of P and may therefore potentially be suitable fertilizers for crops. However, recent findings demonstrate that a major part of the P in sewage sludge and sediments can be sequestered by various iron (Fe) compounds, which may affect the bioavailability of the associated P contained in these waste products.
Qualifications
We are looking for a motivated candidate to study the plant availability of P in e.g. lake sediments and wastewater sludge by conducting plant experiments and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT´s) analysis. Furthermore, the selected candidate will pursue speciation of P and Fe species by different analytical chemical techniques, such as e.g. 31P NMR spectroscopy, P-K edge XANES and modified extraction techniques. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in P chemistry and preferably also plant ecology. The candidate should be independent and able to communicate fluently in English, have good writing skills as well as possess good interpersonal skills.
The PhD scholarship covers the area of biogeochemistry and analytical chemistry and will be aligned with ongoing research at the Freshwater Ecology group at the Department of Biology and the Inorganic Chemistry group at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark.
The selected PhD candidate will be appointed to the Department of Biology, at the University of Southern Denmark with the main supervisor Kasper Reitzel (reitzel@biology.sdu.dk) from this department and co-supervisors Theis Kragh, Department of Biology; Ulla Gro Nielsen from the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy and David W O’Connell from the University of Dublin (TCD). The selected candidate is expected to spend between one to six months at the University of Dublin during the project.
For further information please contact Associate Professor Kasper Reitzel, e-mail: reitzel@biology.sdu.dk.
Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.
The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.
The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Application must be made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:
• A research proposal/description of your approach to the above project (max one page excluding references)
• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) (please attach this under box "Application form")
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades
• At least two signed reference letters. Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please have them use e-mail: anc@sdu.dk mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. And please note that these also need to reach us before deadline.
Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.
Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.
Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply before you apply.
Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.
Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.sdu.dk/en/service/ledige_stillinger/1133181