To model chemical removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), SimpleTreat is often used and recommended by the EU to use under REACH. In the first year of the project, the use of the model will be assessed for oil compounds by coupling the updated version to surface water fate model SimpleBox and comparing outcomes with PETRORISK, currently used by Concawe, a division of the European Petroleum Refiners Association, focusing on environmental science. In addition, you will advance the modelling in SimpleTreat by focusing on oil compound-specific relationships for, for example, air-water partitioning and biodegradation, as well as including an oil-separation step in the treatment process (e.g. DAF, dissolved air flotation). The second and third years of the project will involve implementing biodegradation modelling of chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) in urban WWTPs in SimpleTreat, as well as a proof-of-concept study to illustrate how a WWTP-specific add-on bioreactor can be developed for the removal of CECs and a full life-cycle assessment of a uWWTP. The first year of the project will be financed by Concawe, while the second will be part of a TTW project financed by NWO where you will work in collaboration with two PhD candidates. Detailed project descriptions are available on request. While the vacancy is primarily intended to be a postdoctoral researcher position, graduates with experience in these topics are also encouraged to apply as a PhD candidate.

You should hold an MSc (for a PhD ) or PhD (for a Postdoc ) in one of the natural sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry, or environmental science) and possess modelling skills, preferably on the topics mentioned. Other important selection criteria are passion, commitment, analytical thinking, a cooperative attitude and communication skills (spoken and written English).

depending on your profile, you will be appointed as a Postdoctoral Researcher (maximum gross monthly salary of €4,084, scale 10) or as a PhD Candidate (gross starting salary amounts to €2,222 per month, and will increase to €2,840 in the fourth year, P scale);
duration of contract: 3 years (postdoctoral researcher position). 4 years (PhD candidate position). As a PhD candidate you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years. you will be classified as a Postdoctoral Researcher, Level 4 or as a PhD Candidate in the Dutch university job-ranking system (UFO);
The Faculty of Science is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities.

Radboud University

Strategically located in Europe, Radboud University is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. A place with a personal touch, where top-flight education and research take place on a beautiful green campus in modern buildings with state-of-art facilities.

http://www.ru.nl

Faculty of Science

You will be work at the Department of Environmental Science and at the Department of Microbiology, both participating in the Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University. Both departments have ample staff working in modelling and experimental studies on removal of pollutants from wastewater.

No commercial propositions please.

http://www.ru.nl/environmentalscience/