The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food sciences (KBM) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is advertising a three-year PhD fellow position related to method development and risk assessment of plasticisers and other plastic associated pollutants in the anthroposphere, with the possibility of extension for up to one year.
The PhD fellowship is financed by the KBM faculty. The successful candidate will be associated with recently established EU partnership for the assessment of risks from chemicals (PARC). The EU wide PARC network consists of 200 partner institutions from 28 countries and deals with method development, validation and assessment of risks posed by anthropogenic contaminants to humans and the environment (https://www.anses.fr/en/content/european-partnership-assessment-risks-chemicals-parc).
The PhD project will focus on method development and risk evaluation of several contaminant classes associated with polymer materials including bisphenols, phthalates, as well as flame retardants and other additives. The successful candidate will also investigate environmental consequences of such chemicals on aquatic environments. In addition to non-target analysis and target suspect screening, a major focus of the research will be laid upon method development for field experimental approaches for simulation and evaluation of uptake processes in environmental compartments. The candidate will join a large international expert network with access to highly advanced trace analytical technologies (LC-qToF, LC-QqQ, GCxGC-ToF, GC-qToF for quantification and identification).
The applicant should notice that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the faculty. The documentation that is necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment.
Main tasks
The successful candidate will:
1.) develop multi-component organic-analytical methods for the quantitative determination of plastic associated residues by actively using advanced high resolution chromatographic methods and mass selective detection.
2.) be instrumental in conducting field and laboratory experiments for fate and risk assessment
3.) contribute to the already ongoing environmental toxicology studies. In Collaboration with associated research groups in the faculty of veterinary medicine at NMBU.
4.) apply modern method evaluation strategies in organic trace analysis and comprehensive statistical method for interpretation of complex chemical and exposure data.
The research project will be implemented in the PARC associated network of PhD and postdoc level activities.
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree during the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Competence
The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year master’s degree or a cand.med.vet. degree, with a learning outcome corresponding to the descriptions in the Norwegian Qualification Framework, second cycle. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.
Required Academic qualifications
- Experience in quantitative trace analysis of organic pollutants in the environment.
- Versed in the development and conduction of field-based exposure studies as well as laboratory experiments for environmental assessments of organic pollutants.
- Adequate knowledge/ expertise on modern multi-component trace analytical technologies such as high-resolution chromatography (GC &HPLC) in combination with mass selective detection.
- Knowledge on method development and validation of multi-compound trace analytical methods according to standard quality control (QC) requirements in environmental and analytical chemistry
The following experiences and skills will be emphasized:
- Knowledge on handling and interpretation of relevant software for qualitative and quantitative data handling
- Scripting in python and Visual Basic as well as associated statistics (“R”)/ Chemometrics.
- Team-oriented working attitude and practical experience with GC/LC instrument maintenance and hardware adjustments.
- Experienced in Experimental design for exposure and pollutant distribution assessments.
NMBU is especially encouraging women to apply for higher academic positions. Therefore, in cases of equal scientific qualifications, female applicants will be preferred for the announced position.
Remuneration and further information
The position is placed in government pay scale position code 1017 PhD. Fellow. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 54 (NOK 501.200,-) on the Norwegian Government salary scale upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Roland Kallenborn, E-mail: roland.kallenborn@nmbu.no; phone +47 67232497
Information for PhD applicants and general information to applicants
Application
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button above. This will route you to the University’s Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application deadline: 24.07.22
In the application, the candidate must confirm that information and documentation (in the form of attachments) submitted via the job application can also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process.
Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.
The following documents must be attached to the application:
- Motivation letter (maximum 1 page). Please note that applications lacking such a complete motivation letter, which is clearly stating why the candidate is qualified and motivated for this PhD project, will be disregarded.
- Complete CV
- Certified copies of academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Di-ploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts, and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
- Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly request-ed to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
- Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English
- Names and contact details for two references
- Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works)
About The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
The Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM) employs about 160 people. Currently about 50 PhD students are enrolled into our PhD program. KBM represents a broad range of scientific fields encompassing basic natural sciences such as microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry as well as the application of these towards food chemistry, technology and safety, biotechnology, bioprocessing and environmental issues. The Faculty is responsible for education, research and information within our fields of expertise and also has state-of-the-art instrumentation to perform research within these fields. KBM collaborates in networks and research projects both nationally and internationally.
Further information: https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/kbm
The Norwegian University of Life Sciences
NMBU has a particular responsibility for research and education that secures the basis for the life of future generations. Sustainability is rooted in everything we do and we deliver knowledge for life. NMBU has 1,900 employees of which about 300 phd scholarships and 6,700 students. The university is divided into seven faculties.
NMBU believes that a good working environment is characterised by diversity.
We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or whether you have been outside the labour market for a period. If necessary, workplace adaptations will be made for persons with disabilities. More information about NMBU is available at www.nmbu.no.