Denmark : Technical University of Denmark PhD scholarship in “Biogeochemical process understanding at a groundwater - surface water interface”

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship in the area of attenuation of organic pollutants arising from contaminated sites, in particular integrated process studies of a surface water- ground water system at plume scale. The PhD position will be funded by the Danish Council for Strategic Research and the Technical University of Denmark in the research project RISKPOINT.

Project description

The RISKPOINT project aims to develop a complete risk assessment tool that can be used to identify and prioritise clean up and management of point sources of contamination to groundwater.

Management of such systems requires detailed understanding of biogeochemical processes relevant for attenuation processes for organic contaminants like chlorinated solvents. The aim is to obtain detailed process understanding using state of the art field and laboratory methods and develop new tools. The project will be focused at a highly instrumented field site at a groundwater surface interface in a catchment in Denmark. The site will be investigated with respect to hydrogeology, biogeochemical processes and ecological impact on the river system from a contaminant plume. Geophysical characterization as well as advanced reactive transport modeling will be carried out at the site and in the catchment.

For this position we seek a young researcher with a Master's degree in environmental engineering, microbiology or hydrogeology. Experience with modern chemical and/or biological analytical techniques is necessary. Experience with laboratory and field investigations and model application is preferable. We expect good communication skills, both verbally and in writing. The position is open to both international and Danish candidates.

The PhD project will be carried out in close collaboration with a group of PhD students and researchers from DTU Environment in the research group on "Contaminated sites" (www.env.dtu.dk).

The PhD candidate will be enrolled for a period of 3 years at the Technical University of Denmark, DTU Environment.

The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. Information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, which may be obtained from the DTU homepage http://www.dtu.dk/English/education/Phd_Education.aspx

The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students.

Further information is available from Professor Poul L. Bjerg, DTU Environment, e-mail plb@env.dtu.dk.

Applications with enclosures should be submitted by e-mail to Poul L. Bjerg, plb@env.dtu.dk by August 22nd 2008 at 12:00 noon. Applications must include a curriculum vitae and documentation of a completed master's degree.

The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible after September, 1st 2008.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.