a vacancy for a PostDoc investigating micropollutant biodegradation in groundwater, The “Safeguarding drinking water resources” project
Are you the enthusiastic scientist who wants to developing biodegradation-based technologies to remove trace concentrations of organic micropollutants in oligotrophic drinking water production systems?
Do you have a PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry or Environmental Microbiology? Are you looking for a PostDoc position where you can develop your academic career while also working closely with stakeholders? Do you want to perform multidisciplinary research that contributes to new solutions for water problems? Are you interested in developing your academic teaching skills? We have a vacancy for a PostDoc investigating micropollutant biodegradation in groundwater. Will you join our team?
The “Safeguarding drinking water resources” project focuses on attaining a fundamental understanding of microbial activity in groundwater systems, using this understanding to engineer niches of microbial activity for the biodegradation of organic micropollutants. The research focuses particularly on the role of natural dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in steering microbial activity and micropollutant biodegradation. The research employs methods from different disciplines, including environmental biotechnology, microbial ecology, numerical modelling and organic chemistry, to do experiments on microcosm, reactor, and field scale. The research is executed by one full-time PhD, one full-time postdoc, and one part-time postdoc in close collaboration with stakeholders from the drinking water sector.
What will you do
You will be a PostDoc within this consortium, spending 75% of your time on research and 25% on education. The research focuses on understanding the interaction between DOC consumption and micropollutant biodegradation. The research focuses on the use of DOC as primary substrate for micropollutant co-metabolic biodegradation. To this end, you will investigate the kinetics of DOC-supported microbial growth and explore substrate competition between DOC and micropollutants. Your research includes characterizing DOC composition and linking this to microbial community composition and micropollutant biodegradation in microcosm experiments using materials from the field. You will also actively participate in education, teaching in the BSc and MSc programs, including giving lectures, guiding group assignments, and supporting international study visits.
As a PostDoc you will focus your research on the following:
- assess the influence of DOC on microbial activity and micropollutant biodegradation;
- characterize changes in DOC composition due to microbial degradation and link these to micropollutant biodegradation;
- explore the affects of DOC addition on microbial community composition using 16S rRNA gene and metagenomic sequencing;
- actively participate in teaching BSc and MSc students.
We ask
- PhD degree in environmental engineering, environmental technology, water biotechnology, environmental sciences, or a related field;
- background in biological water technologies, especially anaerobic, oligotrophic and drinking water systems;
- knowledge of microbial biodegradation processes, preferably of trace organic micropollutants;
- proven laboratory skills e.g. in molecular biology, analytical chemistry, contaminant biodegradation, and can think in and work with multidisciplinary research approaches;
- proven scientific impact, as exemplified in important publications and presentations at international conferences;
- affinity with working as a team player, proactive in your work, involved actively in your working environment and capable of independently addressing and solving research problems;
- experience with academic teaching and supervision of research by, for example, MSc or BSc students;
- excellent English language proficiency (a minimum of CEFR C2 level). Preferably with proven test-results available. For more information about this proficiency level, please visit our special language page.
We offer
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- the option to accrue additional 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 of course receive a good salary. Depending on your experience, we offer a competitive gross salary of between € 2790,-. and € 4012,- scale 10 for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).
We offer a temporary position with an average working time of 38 hours per week for the period of 2 year, with the possibility of an extension for 2 year after successful evaluation
University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. 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 16th 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 University and Research, 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 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 questions.
More information
Do you want more information?
For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Nora Sutton, Associate Professor by email: nora.sutton@wur.nl
For more information about the procedure, please contact Joes van Meurs, HR adviser, by phone +31 317 480101.
Do you want to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.
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.
We are
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, 6.500 employees and 12.500 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.
These are the points our employees list as good reasons to come work at WUR: read the 5 reasons to come work at WUR
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.