PhD Aquifer Treatment for Sustainable Drinking Water Supply

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate with interest in the physiology and ecology of microorganism involved in the biodegradation of organic micropollutants during river bank filtration for the production of drinking water production. Are you passionate about the role microorganisms can play in the context of environmental health and the production of healthy drinking water, and do you want to work within an inspiring and multidisciplinary research team? We are looking for you!

River bank filtration (RBF) is a widely used nature-based technique to produce drinking water from surface water. Energy intensive post-treatment is often required, because pollutants are not always reliably removed. In the AQUIPURA project, we want to investigate pollutant removal in RBFs in its entirety ranging from organic micro-pollutants to viruses. AQUIPURA develops and employs novel mechanistic insights, monitoring, and modelling tools. AQUIPURA improves design and performance resulting in improved reliability of a contaminant-free, safe, green RBF system in times of urbanization and climate-change. AQUIPURA shares outcomes and knowledge in a Chinese-Dutch transdisciplinary consortium to assist in achieving a green nature-based, climate resilient drinking water supply.

What will you do?
As PhD candidate, you will conduct the laboratory and field experiments, and analyse and interpret the collected data, which you will subsequently present in scientific papers, in a PhD-thesis and at (inter)national conferences. You will also be involved in education, and will have the opportunity to develop your own skills and competences through courses and seminars.

Your duties and responsibilities include:

• perform laboratory and field experiments;
• collect, analyse and interpret experimental datasets (e.g., biodegradation kinetics, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics);
• closely collaborate with the AQUIPURA PhD candidate working at the TU Delft;
• present your results within (non-)academic settings;
• write and defend your PhD thesis.

The research is embedded in the Molecular Ecology group within the Laboratory of Microbiology. Your promotor will be Prof. dr. Hauke Smidt and Dr. Paul van der Wielen from KWR Water Research Institute will be your co-supervisor. In your project, you will also collaborate closely with a second PhD candidate and colleagues from Delft University of Technology as well as partners from China.

Requirements:

You are an enthusiastic team player and motivated scientist. You have a background in microbiology and are capable of working in a multidisciplinary team.

You also possess:

• an excellent academic (MSc) record in microbiology or equivalent;
• expertise in microbial cultivation, working with DNA- and RNA-based technologies to study microbial communities;
• affinity with bioinformatics and statistical skills;
• willingness to be involved in teaching activities.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Salary Benefits:

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.770 - per month rising to € 3.539,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. We can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling.

Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

38 hours per week

Droevendaalsesteeg