PhD scholarship in Chemical Persistence Research - DTU Sustain

The ongoing “PFAS crisis” has shown how important it is, in due time, to assess the persistence of chemicals. Ten thousands of chemicals are in use but only a small part has been tested for persistence. If you want to contribute to the development and application of better methods for determining biodegradation kinetics and persistence of chemicals, then DTU Sustain offers you the opportunity to work on the technical and scientific challenges in chemical persistence research.
The ongoing “PFAS crisis” has shown how important it is, in due time, to assess the persistence of chemicals. Ten thousands of chemicals are in use but only a small part has been tested for persistence. If you want to contribute to the development and application of better methods for determining biodegradation kinetics and persistence of chemicals, then DTU Sustain offers you the opportunity to work on the technical and scientific challenges in chemical persistence research.

Biodegradation is the dominant removal process for most organic chemicals that are emitted to the environment. Recent research at DTU Sustain has resulted in a new research and testing platform that allows simultaneously determining the biodegradation kinetics of a large number of chemicals. The chemicals are tested in mixtures to generate a high number of well-aligned data and they are tested at low environmentally relevant concentrations to avoid self-inhibition of the biodegradation process. This PhD project will extend this research to the biodegradation and persistence testing of chemicals in various effluents that are discharged to the environment.

We seek a curious and independent PhD candidate willing to work on the “Biodegradation and Persistence of Chemicals in Complex Mixtures discharged in India and Denmark”. This 3-year PhD scholarship at DTU is part of a collaborative project with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB). Thus, there is a focus on determining biodegradation and persistence of chemicals in both Denmark and India. The PhD scholarship is supported by a DTU Alliance stipend and GPC Europe. The project outcomes will have direct impact outside academia thanks to collaborations with industry and regulators.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The PhD project's overall objective is to determine environmentally relevant biodegradation kinetics of a multitude of chemicals discharged in Denmark and India, and to compare biodegradation/persistence results and assessments between the two countries.

To achieve this, you will:

• Adapt and apply the novel biodegradation platform to the testing of numerous chemicals in selected discharges in Denmark and India.
• Determine biodegradation kinetics for a multitude of chemicals based on targeted and non-targeted analytics.
• Work together with collaborators from IIT Bombay and GPC Europe.

Research activities will mainly be carried out at DTU Sustain with 1-2 research visit(s) in India. The project will be supervised by Professor Philipp Mayer (DTU), and co-supervised by Senior Scientist Heidi Birch (DTU) and Professor Suparna Mukherji (IITB).

As a PhD student at DTU, you will be involved in teaching activities and co-supervise BSc and MSc student projects related to your PhD project. You will also disseminate the results of your project at national and international conferences and interact with research groups at the forefront of international persistence research.

You are expected to have significant background and interest in Environmental Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Microbiology and/or the Environmental Assessment of Chemicals (Risk Assessment, PBT/PMT assessments, REACH).

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. You must be proficient in English, and knowledge or interest in Indian culture is an advantage. We seek applicants who have demonstrated their ability to work both independently and in teams, and who have successfully navigated the challenges posed by working across different cultures and working environments.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please consult DTU's rules for the PhD education.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Philipp Mayer ([email protected]).

You can read more about The Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering at https://sustain.dtu.dk/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 17 November 2024 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Your short reflection, summary, concerns or input about the current project (maximum 1 A4 page)

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As the position involves research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, among other things, open-source background checks will be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental and resource engineering in Europe. The department conducts research, development & scientific advice and provides educational programs and service to society. We are working to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, methods and solutions, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and future generations of engineers. The Department has approximately 300 staff members from more than 30 nationalities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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