Do you have a background in Hydrology, Earth and Environment, Civil Engineering or a related field? Are you fascinated by fate and transport modelling, pollution monitoring and water quality management? Are you interested in applied science with relevance for policy development? And do you want to contribute to solving the 'plastic problem'? Then, read on because you might be our ideal candidate!

As PhD candidate you will focus on developing and validating a suite of transport-fate models for microplastics encompassing different spatial scales: from riverine to regional multimedia. Main tasks are:

To develop a harmonized emission modelling approach, which includes the major microplastics sources, such as TWP and abrasion of macroplastics. Here, the role of macroplastics as a significant source of secondary microplastics is of particular interest.

To further develop a screening-level multimedia model to translate emissions into quantified fluxes between compartments, their relative importance and the relative importance (sensitivity) of the underlying parameters. This includes fluxes to and from the soil compartment and atmospheric deposition.
To further develop a spatio-temporal riverine microplastic transport model, taking the afore­mentioned emissions and fluxes into account. The model further takes into account processes such as agglomeration, settling/resuspension, biofilm formation, influences of wind and flow as well as particle characteristics, i.e. microplastic size, shape and density.

To quantify implications for exposure and ecological risks, and to integrate the findings into policy goals and policy options.

The research is embedded within the chair Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management (AEW - WUR), which is led by Prof. dr. Bart Koelmans, and (half of the time) within the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Besides by prof Koelmans, you will be co-supervised by dr. ir. Joris Quik (RIVM) and ir Merel Kooi (WUR). More info on our projects can be found here.

• a successfully completed MSc degree in Water Quality modelling, Hydrology, Earth and Environment or equivalent, with interest in plastic pollution, environmental quality, ecological risks, and applied science for policy advice.
• excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C1 level). For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page
• experience with and strong interest in numerical water quality or environmental modelling and systems analysis (either through work experience or specialization during your M.Sc)
• demonstrable experience with and strong interest in computer programming (e.g. python, R, matlab) and strong mathematical skills (either through work experience or specialization during your M.Sc)
• strong collaborative skills
• excellent communication and writing skills (both in English, in order to conduct research in close interaction with international partners and partners in the Netherlands and to communicate the results to an international audience). Command of the Dutch language is a plus but not required.

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

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and 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 € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- 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 17th 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. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. 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. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Equal opportunities
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. For more information please go to our inclusivity page. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University and Research
The mission of Wageningen University and Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen's unique approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!