PhD Position Water Quality Modeling Under a Changing Climate

9 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)

Research Field

Physics
Medical sciences
Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

9 Apr 2024 – 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

This 4-year, fully-funded PhD position is embedded in the EU project SPRINGS “Supporting Policy Regulations and Interventions to Negate aggravated Global diarrheal disease due to future climate Shocks”. SPRINGS aims to better understand the impact of climate change on the burden of water-borne infectious disease. It is an extensive international and multidisciplinary project, with involvement of climate scientists, microbiologists, medical professionals and social scientists from all over the world. The PhD project will specifically focus on (modelling of) the impact of climate on microbiological water quality over space and time. Within the same work package, you will collaborate with another PhD candidate working on water quantity modelling at IHE Delft Institute for water education. You will be enrolled in SENSE, the Research School for Socio-economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment, which offers training and support.

We are looking for someone with a strong computational background and an education in microbiology, environmental science, or similar. You will further develop an existing geospatial water quality model to the specifics of four diarrheal disease pathogens and adapt it to allow for changing hydrological and climate conditions. You will apply your model to two case study areas in Romania and Ghana, under past, current, and future climate conditions. Come join our team and make a meaningful impact on global health!

Your duties

• Development and application of a microbiological water quality model based on an existing chemical water quality model;
• Two one-month work visits to project partners in Romania and Ghana;
• Writing reports and scientific publications;
• Publishing the obtained results in peer reviewed journals, which will contribute to the final PhD thesis;
• Contributing to the preparation and reporting of deliverables of the SPRINGS project related to the PhD research;
• Contributing and participating in the project (SPRINGS) activities where necessary;
• Presenting the project results at national and international conferences and symposia;
• Contributing to the department’s education programme;
• Writing and successfully defending a PhD thesis.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• Master’s degree in microbiology, risk assessment, environmental science, hydrology or related natural science discipline;
• Basic knowledge of chemistry and biology and affinity with water quality and related health risks;
• Strong computational skills with R;
• Affinity with inter-disciplinary science;
• High energy multi-tasker with excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to work independently, pro-actively and in collaboration with others;
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English

Additional Information
Benefits

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 2.770,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.539,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1.0 FTE.
• The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for another 3 years.
• The period of appointment is 48 months, starting 1st July 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

Additional comments

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.

Applicants should provide their application documents in English, including: diploma, a cover Letter stating your motivation and background for applying for the project and a detailed CV. The applicants complying with the requirements will be invited for a personal interview in the last week of April or first week of May 2024.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/338819/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Country

Netherlands

City

Amsterdam

Postal Code

1081HZ

Street

De Boelelaan 1108

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/338819/phd-position-water-quality-modeling-…

Contact

City

Amsterdam

Website

http://www.vu.nl/

Street

De Boelelaan 1105

Postal Code

1081 HV

STATUS: EXPIRED