Are you passionate about environmental modelling (e.g. substance flow analysis, environmental pollution management) and spatial analysis (e.g. ArcGIS)? And interested in scenario analysis, seeking solutions, and evaluation of environmental policy? Then you maybe the candidate we are looking for!Within the FeriCycle consortium on "Modelling short and long-term effects of bio-based fertilisers on the environment" we are looking for a PhD candidate. The candidate will focus on possible emissions to air and water following from the use of bio-fertilisers in Europe, as well as on mitigation options to diminish the environmental impacts. To this end, two models will be linked: MITERRA-EUROPE and GlobalNEWS /MARINA. MITERRA-EUROPE is a deterministic and static model which calculates N and phosphorus (P) balances, emissions of N-compounds (NH3, N2O, NOx) and methane (CH4) to the atmosphere, and losses of N to ground water and surface waters. The Global NEWS (Global Nutrient Export from WaterSheds) model, and its successor the multi-pollutant MARINA model, simulate the river export of nutrients and other pollutants from land to coastal seas. The model quantifies the annual river export of pollutants. Furthermore, the model calculates the source attribution of these elements as well as the Indicator for Coastal Eutrophication Potential (ICEP).
The objectives of this research are: i) parametrising and linking the Miterra-Europe and the Global NEWS/MARINA models, ii) estimate the effects of bio-based fertilisers on air, groundwater and surface water pollution at catchment, and iii) European scales. The linked model system will be used to assess the effects and interactions of policies and measures in agriculture, for a number of scenarios for the future (up to 2050).
The candidate will do a secondment (internship as visiting researcher) at one of the other FertiCycle partners for a shorter period of time (1-3 months). The candidate will spend one year in Ghent within the four-year period of the project.
Are your interested to read more about the other projects? You can find them on the project website:
http://www.ferticycle.ku.dk.