The CARBOFLOW project focuses on elucidating and quantifying mechanisms that lead to the subsurface mobilization and release into surface water of carbon that is currently still locked up in unconsolidated sedimentary sequences across the permafrost realm. The project combines interdisciplinary methods to quantify carbon export by deep groundwater in the Arctic. Combining soil column leaching experiments, numerical modeling and field data, a much-needed bridge between soil physics, geochemistry and hydrogeology is facilitated. CARBOFLOW will center around field data collection and laboratory experiments the result of which will be used to constrain novel numerical models of permafrost hydrogeology that, for the first time, include subsurface carbon transport.

The prospective PhD candidate will assist in planning field campaigns (focusing on the collection of natural soil samples from a permaforst area in North Sweden), preparation and design of laboratory experiments in the Soil Physics laboratory in Wageningen, and the construction and execution of numerical models of coupled heat flow and groundwater flow, and including solute transport.

The PhD candidate will join the Hydrology and Water Management Group (HWM) at Wageningen University and be part of the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK).

The position involves creative and varied work and the PhD candidate will become a member of a dynamic, international and multifaceted research group. The successful candidate has an inner drive, and is devoted and motivated to work with state-of-the-art environmental research. The applicant is expected to hold a university degree (MSc. or equivalent) in environmental science, earth sciences, engineering geology or similar. Knowledge within the field of hydrogeology and/or soil science, scientific programming and modeling, and data-analysis is required.

Demonstrated experience in scientific writing, such as publications, essays or equivalent in English is essential. We are looking for an independent and creative person who thrives in a dynamic research environment. The project requires close collaboration with Dutch and foreign scientists, and accordingly, the applicant should be able to work both independently and collaboratively. Moreover, the applicant should be able to take responsibility for parts of the research project.

Wageningen University & Research is an international organisation. We expect our staff to have excellent command of the English language. This is an important factor in our selection process. Some job interviews will be in English. You will be informed beforehand should this be the case. This position requires an excellent English language proficiency (a mininum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.

We offer a fulltime employment (38 hours a week) as PhD candidate within HWM for 18 months with a possible extension of 30 months after a positive evaluation. The gross salary will increase from € 2.222,= in the first year up to € 2.840,= per month in the fourth year (based on fulltime employment). In addition, we offer a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-the-year bonus of 8.3% of your annual salary.
Wageningen University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.