PhD Biodegradation of micropollutants in membrane concentrate
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Employer: |
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Job location: Wageningen Netherlands |
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Apply before: 04 Nov 2019 |
Summary
Are you the enthusiastic PhD scientist who wants to investigate biodegradation of organic micropollutants (OMPs), present in the concentrate of a novel nanofiltration (NF) membrane? Then we are looking for you!
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There is growing concern about the presence of OMPs in surface waters. These OMPs, which can be consumer products or medicine residues, have the potential to cause long-term harm to humans and aquatic ecosystems. Municipal waste water treatment plants (MWTPs) are considered a hotspot for the release of these OMPs into the environment. To remove them, a NF membrane was developed that allows controlled passage of ions, but retains OMPs. The NF concentrate concentrations is recycled to the MWTP. The PhD project will focus on the effect of this recirculation on (1) the possibility to stimulate biodegradation of OMPs and (2) the treatment performance of the MWTP. OMP analyses will be used to identify and quantify their removal mechanisms (e.g. biodegradation, sorption). Bio-assays will determine the eco-toxicity of selected samples. Parameters, such as sludge production, aeration efficiency, COD removal, nitrification and sludge digestibility will provide information regarding the effect of NF recirculation on MWTP performance.
The project is financed by The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research – Applied and Engineering Sciences (NWO-TTW) and will be carried out in close cooperation with two PhD students of the University of Twente focusing on the NF membrane. The research will mainly consist of laboratory work, but includes a pilot-plant located at a full-scale MWTP owned by one of the Dutch water authorities that is funding the project.
The PhD student should have knowledge of and affinity with wastewater treatment processes with an emphasis on the microbiological aspects. An understanding of and experience with chemical analyses and their interpretation is appreciated. The student is pro-active and has good communication skills as the student needs to cooperate with a broad consortium within a larger research project.
We ask
• you have a MSc degree in Environmental engineering, Environmental microbiology or closely related field;
• you have a strong interest and curiosity in biological wastewater treatment, chemical analyses and bioassays;
• the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team in an international environment and to work independently;
• you are a person with a pro -active attitude;
• you have excellent English communication skills, orally as well as in scientific writing.
We offer
The successful applicant will be employed at Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research. Salary and working conditions are according to the collective labor agreement of the Cooperative Association of Dutch Universities (VSNU) for PhD students. You receive a temporary contract for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2325,-. in the first year rising up to € 2972,-. per month in the fourth year.
Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment.
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