PhD scholarship in Remediation of Soil and Groundwater Contamination

The use of iron hydroxide nano-composites for chlorinated solvent remediation
Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship in the area of remediation of soil and groundwater contamination. The PhD position will be funded by the Danish Research Council of Technology and Production and the Technical University of Denmark, in the research project Iron-X, running 2009-2012.

Project description
A newly established research project “Iron hydroxide intercalates for degradation of halogenated solvents in sediment and groundwater (Iron-X)” aims to investigate the potential for remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents by the use of iron hydroxide nano-composites. A focus area will be on use of iron hydroxide nano-composites for in-situ remediation of chlorinated solvent source areas. The project is expected to include laboratory investigations of remedial effects in solvent contaminated soil and groundwater and provided these are successful, a field pilot trial of the technology at a contaminated site in Denmark. The Iron-X consortium consists of research groups from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), University of Copenhagen (KU LIFE) and University of Iowa, U.S.A. The field trial will be conducted in collaboration with a Danish Region and a consulting company.

Qualifications
For this position we seek a PhD candidate with a Master’s degree in environmental engineering, geochemistry or geomicrobiology. Experience with laboratory and/or field investigations is necessary. Experience with modern chemical analytical techniques and/or model application is preferable. We expect good communication skills, both verbally and in writing. The position is open to both international and Danish candidates.

The PhD project will be carried out in close collaboration with a group of PhD students and researchers from DTU Environment (www.env.dtu.dk), Department of Basic Sciences and Environment, KU LIFE (www.igm.life.ku.dk) and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa (www.uiowa.edu).

The PhD candidate will be enrolled at the Technical University of Denmark, DTU Environment. The full scholarship will be for an enrollment period of 3 years.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in the Chemistry, Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering PhD programme at DTU and will be affiliated with the research educational programme RECETO (www.receto.dk). For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms (3 years) are consistent with the current rules for PhD students.

Further information
Further information is available from Associate Professor Mette M. Broholm, DTU Environment, phone: +45 4525 1475.

The successful candidate will be expected to start as soon as possible after January 1st, 2010.

Application
We must have your application by December 23rd, 2009. Please open the link “apply for this job online” and fill in the application form and attach your application and Curriculum Vitae. The application must include documentation of a completed master’s degree including grades, a 1 page abstract of your master thesis, and documentation of English communication skills (e.g. TOEFL test or similar). Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot begin the PhD studies before the master’s degree has been received.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.