Doctoral student in Water and Environmental Engineering

Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, The Department of Chemical Engineering (LTH)

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has around 46 000 students and more than 8 000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The Department of Chemical Engineering is innovative in separation technology and reaction technology. Our work has a clear connection to Agenda 2030 through a research focus on energy and cost-effective processes.
Collaboration with industry and other research groups both inside and out of Sweden is an important component of our strategy.
Our students and employees experience a pleasant and inclusive environment at the Department.

Description of the workplace

The position is part of the department’s research activities in wastewater handling and advanced treatment of micropollutants. The research is both experimental and theoretical with elements of modeling and is based on collaboration with wastewater treatment plants and industries.

Subject description

The subject of Water and Environmental Engineering presupposes elementary knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, microbiology, mathematics and chemistry. Research studies within the subject can include experimental studies ranging from laboratory work to pilots and industrial applications, modelling and simulation of technical processes, as well as process design and system analysis. Focus of research can be e.g. separation of nutrients and micropollutants, sludge treatment, separation engineering, infrastructure and technical processes for treatment of drinking water, urban runoff and wastewater.

Municipal wastewater presents an important discharge route for pharmaceuticals and other organic micropollutants. Some of these compounds are almost completely removed in wastewater treatment plants, whereas others are released into the environment. With ozonation it is technically possible to treat pharmaceuticals and other organic micropollutants in wastewater.

Ozonation of wastewater results in undesirable formation of transformation and by-products. To reduce the toxicological burden of these ozonation products post-treatment is recommended. However, a lot is still unknown about the removal of ozonation products in different post-treatments. In this project we will use 14C-labeled micropollutants, to increase our knowledge about formation of transformation products during ozonation and removal of these compounds.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

As a PhD student you will work experimentally to investigate transformation of organic micropollutants during ozonation and the removal of formed transformation products in various post-treatments. The objective of the experimental work is to establish a structural-based interpretation scheme that could be used to assess mineralization of specific organic structures during ozonation and to increase the mechanistical knowledge about the removal of transformation products in various post-treatments. As a PhD student you are also expected to present your work in written and oral forms for academic and industrial audiences.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.
• A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Water and Environmental Engineering if the applicant has:
• completed a specialised project of at least 30 second-cycle credits in the subject.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. Written and oral communication skills. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Experience of work with wastewater treatment, preferably on the topic of organic micropollutants and ozonation.
• Experience in analyzing organic micropollutants.
• Documented experience of qualified work or other relevant competence with practical experimental work.
• Knowledge of the Swedish language (written and oral) is considered a merit.
• Driving license (B)

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English or Swedish and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!

LTH forms the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, with approximately 9 000 students. The research carried out at LTH is of a high international standard and we are continuously developing our teaching methods and adapting our courses to current needs.

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