项目介绍

2025年5月17日

We are looking for a motivated PhD student to join our interdisciplinary Environmental Chemistry team at the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED). Your work will contribute to elucidating possible impacts of microplastic pollution on Planetary Boundaries and support science-based decision-making to reduce the environmental impacts of plastic pollution.

Microfibres, released from synthetic textiles during wearing, washing and drying of clothes, are one of the major contributors to microplastic pollution worldwide. Continuous emissions coupled with the high persistence of synthetic microfibres and limited clean-up options make microfibres a serious Planetary Boundary threat. However, their environmental fate and transport dynamics, such as their interaction with natural sediments, are poorly understood.

This PhD position is one of 2 positions offered within the NWO Vidi project “Microfibre legacies – understanding long-term emissions & environmental feedback processes of synthetic microfibres (μFLUFF)”. The overarching goal of this project is to assess the long-term emissions of synthetic microfibres, their environmental accumulation and potential impacts on sedimentation processes under different global change scenarios.

We are offering the following 2 PhD positions:

1. PhD position on synthetic microfibre (microplastic) interactions with sediment processes [this position]

2. PhD position on modelling long-term fate of synthetic microfibres (microplastics) in rivers [for more information see PhD on Modelling Long-term Fate of Synthetic Microfibres (Microplastics) in Rivers | Work at the University of Amsterdam]

In PhD position 1, a laboratory-based approach will be taken to study transformation and transport processes of microfibres in riverine systems, with a focus on measuring aggregation and sedimentation processes under a wide range aquatic conditions, representative of the present and of global change scenarios. This will shed light on the complex interplay between microfibre characteristics, natural sediments and water chemistry on the transport dynamics of both microfibres and sediments.

The project is embedded in a highly interdisciplinary working environment and closely linked to ongoing citizen science activities on microfibre emissions from textiles (https://www.meta-citizenscience.nl/), contributing a unique dataset on the types and amounts of microfibres emitted in household settings.

What are you going to do?

You will design and conduct experiments to study microfibre aggregation, interaction of microfibres with natural sediments and sedimentation kinetics of microfibre-sediment aggregates under a wide range of aquatic conditions. You will closely collaborate with another PhD student working on modelling microfibre fate and transport in Dutch river systems (the PhD that will be hired in the above mentioned second vacancy:  …)

Additionally, you are expected to collaborate with the wider research group, including laboratory support staff, as well as external collaborators to expand your skillset.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conduct high-quality research in a laboratory setting
• Publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present research outputs at international conferences
• Actively contribute to the interdisciplinary research group and collaborate with project team members
• Co-supervise Bachelor and Master thesis projects
• Contribute to teaching activities (total teaching activities, incl. student supervision represent up to 10% of total working time)

Your profile

Your experience and profile:

• a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Hydrology, Material Science, or a related field;
• demonstrated laboratory experience, e.g. skills in analytical/environmental chemistry, sedimentology, soil sciences, hydrology, …;
• experience in research on microplastics, nanomaterials and/or natural sediments is an asset, but not a requirement;
• a strong interest in scientific research and good problem-solving abilities;
• an affinity for working in interdisciplinary and international teams;
• good writing and presentation skills;
• excellent command of written and spoken English.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is September 2025 (with some flexibility). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. For this position the University Job Classification profile “Promovendus” (PhD candidate) applies. Your salary will be €2,901 gross per month in the first year and will increase to €3,707 in the final year, based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance.

The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with registration at UvA- Housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad. 

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.