Are you that enthusiastic scientist who wants to contribute to the field of microbial electrochemical technologies, and study electron flows in electro-active biofilms? Are you curious and interested in exploring and validating different measurement techniques? Then we are looking for you!

Development of sustainable technologies is important to safeguard the earth's resources for future generations. Microbial Electrochemical Technologies (METs) have emerged as a new, sustainable way to convert chemical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. METs make use of electro-active biofilms, that exchange electrons with an electrode. The key to advance METs towards application is to obtain selective conversions at bio-anodes and bio-cathodes via control of electron flows using the electrode potential.

The aim of this project is to gain a detailed understanding of electron flows and storage in electro-active biofilms. Therefore, we will identify and quantify electron flows in electro-active biofilms on micro-scale. These electron flows will be studied as a function of the operational conditions using a combination of electrochemical, optical, microbiological and chemical techniques. The insights from this project will form the basis to better control and design resource recovery technologies using electrodes.

This project will take place at Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, in Leeuwarden.

• You have a MSc degree in Biotechnology, Microbiology, Electrochemistry, Environmental Engineering or related discipline;
• You have a strong interest and curiosity in research and science, to study electron flows in detail using different measurement techniques;
• The ability to work in a multidisciplinary team in an international environment and to work independently;
• You are a person with a pro -active attitude;
• You have excellent English communication skills, orally as well as in scientific writing.

The successful applicant will be employed at Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research. The project will be executed at Wetsus, Leeuwarden The Netherlands.

Wetsus is an innovative, dynamic, idea driven and future-directed research institute. You will be able to put your mark on the development of new water technology. In Wetsus we strive for high level research projects. You will work in close collaboration with our industrial partners and also with research groups of various universities. The unique characteristic of Wetsus is the multidisciplinarity of the program. Wetsus stimulates personal development and designed a specific training program for that purpose. Doing a PhD at Wetsus also means you commit yourself not only to science but also to the personal development program.

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2325,-. in the first year rising up to € 2972,-. per month in the fourth year.

PhD students are appointed by one of the cooperating universities, but research is conducted at the Wetsus laboratory in Leeuwarden.

In addition, we offer:

• 8% holiday allowance;
• a structural year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent training opportunities and secondary employment conditions;
• flexible working hours and holidays can possibly be determined in consultation so that an optimal balance between work and private life is possible;
• excellent pension plan through ABP;
• 232 vacation hours, the option to purchase extra and good supplementary leave schemes;
• a flexible working time: the possibility to work a maximum of 2 hours per week extra and thereby to build up extra leave;
• a choice model to put together part of your employment conditions yourself, such as a bicycle plan;
• a lively workplace where you can easily make contacts and where many activities take place on the Wageningen Campus. A place where education, research and business are represented;

Wageningen University & Research stimulates internal career opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a learning environment.
We offer a versatile job in an international environment with varied activities in a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

Wageningen University & Research

Wetsus, European centre of excellence for sustainable water technology is a facilitating intermediary for trendsetting know-how development. Wetsus creates a unique environment and strategic cooperation for development of profitable and sustainable state of the art water treatment technology. The inspiring and multidisciplinary collaboration between companies and research institutes from all over Europe in Wetsus results in innovations that contribute significantly to the solution of the global water problems.

Wetsus' scientific research program is defined by the private and public water sector and conducted by leading universities.

The Environmental Technology Group develops and evaluates innovative environmental technologies and concepts based on processes from nature, to recover and reuse essential components from wastewater. Our education inspires students to develop their talents. We impact society by innovation through top science and focus on applicability.

The mission of our University 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, it 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.

Equal opportunities employer
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at:
https://www.wur.nl/en/Jobs.htm

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