PhD position (3 year) in the field of Aquatic Ecotoxicology at Roskilde University, Denmark

A PhD Fellow position are available in the field of aquatic ecotoxicology at Roskilde University, Denmark.

The Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University (RUC), invites applications for a PhD fellowship at the Doctoral School of Science and Environment starting between 01.09.2021 and 01.10.2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. Applications are requested from candidates seeking to pursue a PhD degree within aquatic ecotoxicology on the topic of: sediment exposure, benthic invertebrate contaminant uptake and biotransformation, contaminant persistence, and modelling.

The PhD position is part of the research project – “Understanding impact of benthic invertebrates for fate and effects of sediment-associated siloxanes”.

The Department of Science and Environment is one of four departments at RUC. The Department conducts basic and applied research within environmental sciences, medical biology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Bachelor and Masters’ programmes are offered within these areas. The PhD project is associated with the Environmental Dynamics (EnvDyn) research group (read more about EnvDyn research group here: https://ruc.dk/en/forskningsgruppe/environmental-dynamics.

Research area and project description

The objective of this PhD is to investigate the effects of benthic invertebrates on the fate and effects of selected sediment-associated siloxanes. The study will conduct experiments in freshwater and marine setups using the freshwater oligochaete, Tubifex tubifex, and the estuarine polychaete, Capitella teleta, to understand the role of benthic invertebrate biotransformation and bioturbation for the persistence and bioaccumulation of siloxanes in a sediment system. The output of the project will increase environmental realism in regulation of hydrophobic organic contaminants.

The specific aims are to:

1. 1. Assess the availability of sediment-associated siloxanes for uptake in benthic deposit-feeding invertebrates

1. 1. Establish invertebrate biotransformation rates using C14-labelled siloxanes.

1. 1. Examine the influence of deposit-feeding invertebrate presence on the persistence of siloxanes in sediment and compare this to microbial degradation.

1. 1. Modelling approaches to establish e.g., toxicokinetics.

The execution of the workplan for the project plans for the research to undertake a research stay at another institution where you will be trained in specific topics related to the PhD project e.g., models and methods beneficial to you project.

The Doctoral School

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School of Science and Environment in accordance with the rules issued by the Ministry of Technology and Science and additional regulations issued by Roskilde University. The PhD student will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish confederation of Professional Associations.

Responsibilities and tasks

The PhD position is an educational position and the main tasks are in accordance with chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws-and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf).

Qualifications and specific competences:

You must hold a master’s degree or equivalent within ecotoxicology, environmental sciences, environmental chemistry, ecology, biology or corresponding. Fluency in English (working language) is a requirement.

Experience in aspect of environmental science, analytical chemistry, environmental data science and ecotoxicology especially with sediment and hydrophobic exposure experiments but also caretaking of invertebrates will be especially valued. However, excellent students with specific skills in other areas of quantitative and biological research (e.g., mathematics/statistic, molecular biology, medical biology, computer science) wishing to apply their skills in the field of environmental chemical management and ecotoxicology are also invited to apply. Furthermore it is a criteria that you do not already have a PhD degree and that you have less than 4 years of full-time equivalent research experience from the award of the degree that entitles you to undertake a doctorate (either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which you are to be recruited).

You are required to be enterprising and to possess good communication skills and to be a visible, involved participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the department.

Assessment

In the assessment regarding employment consideration will be given to;

• • Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent (according to Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/transparency-tools/qualifications-frameworks/other-qualifications-frameworks/danish-qf-for-higher-education?set_language=en&cl=en).

• • Any additional academic requirements stated in the job advertisement.

In the assessment regarding enrollment consideration will also be given to the following criteria:

• • Educational skills and any further professional qualifications

• • Grades at Master’s programme or equivalent

• • Quality and relevance of the project description

• • Your description of the Ph.D. project – Here you describe in which direction you would like to work and how your qualifications fit into the project (between a half and a full page).

• • Quality and relevance of the methodical and theoretical choices

• • Consistency and coherence between the problem and the choice of method and theory

• • If the PhD project seem realistic and feasible

• • Ability to complete the PhD project

• • Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School

Questions

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Henriette Selck (RUC) on tel. (+45) 4674 2983, selck@ruc.dk,

Terms of employment

At Roskilde University, the employment is a full-time employment with 37 hours a week and you will refer to the Head of Department Susanne Sørensen. The Position will be according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure

After the deadline for applications the Head of Department will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee. Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and – later on – their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application

You must apply for the position online.

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

1. 1. Cover letter

1. 1. CV

1. 1. Documentation of education including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent

1. 1. Your description of the Ph.D. project – Here you describe in which direction you would like to work and how your qualifications fit into the project (between a half and a full page).

1. 1. Your time schedule of the PhD project.

1. 1. Letters of recommendation

1. 1. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.

Please submit your application no later than August 4th 2021.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

APPLY ONLINE

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender and personal background.