Job Information
Organisation/Company: Université Claude Bernard Lyon1
Department: Laboratory of Ecology of Natural and Anthropized Hydrosystems (LEHNA)
Research Field: Environmental science » Water science, Environmental science » Natural resources management, Geosciences » Hydrology
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country: France
Application Deadline: 8 May 2023 – 23:59 (Europe/Paris)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 35
Offer Starting Date: 1 Sep 2023
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: HE / MSCA
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: 101072777
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
The Laboratory of Ecology of Natural and Anthropized Hydrosystems (LEHNA) invites applications for a 3-year PhD position integrated into the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network “PlasticUnderground” aiming to develop solutions to the emerging plastic pollution crisis in soils and groundwater.
Context
Facing the increasing exploitation of groundwater resources and the substantial reduction of these resources as a consequence of climate changes, aquifer recharge is widely used to compensate for groundwater extraction. In this context, several practices have been developed such as artificial recharge with stormwater runoff in urban areas or aquifer recharge with surface waters from rivers. The environmental performances of aquifer recharge practices such as riverbank filtration or soil aquifer treatment have been assessed for the retention of nutrients, organic chemicals or microorganisms. It has been shown that these performances were mainly dependent on the ability of the soil and the sedimentary environment to retain and/or metabolize contaminants during their transfer in/to the aquifer. However, the environmental performances of these practices concerning MPs and NPs have been poorly studied. In this project, we plan to simultaneously assess the transfer of MPs through infiltration practices and their impacts on groundwater quality using field approaches.
Job description
Based on field sites designed to monitor the impact of surface water infiltration on groundwater ecosystems, sampling campaigns will permit to quantify MPs in groundwater. Hydrological monitoring performed in each studied site will permit to characterize the main hydrogeological properties (vadose zone thickness, transit time of water from surface to groundwater, water volume of recharge) which can play a role on MPs transfer. Coupling these data with MPs quantification and characterization will enable to assess which properties of both the infiltration systems and the MPs will determine the transfer of MPs from surface to groundwater. The results of the PhD would help decision makers for the conceptualization of managed aquifer recharge systems to reduce MPs and contamination of aquifers.
This position is offered as one of 14 fully funded PhD positions funded by the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network PlasticUnderground. The PlasticUnderground Doctoral Network (DN) is an international, multi-partner, inter-sectoral doctoral research-training network with the aim to prepare an international cohort of Doctoral Candidates in the development of solutions to the emerging plastic pollution crisis in soils and groundwater. Given the evolving understanding of subsurface soil and groundwater ecosystems as long-term storage pools of micro- and nanoplastics, interdisciplinary capacity that can support and provide guidance for the management of these systems, as well as development of adequate technological, social behavioral and legislative solutions is urgently needed. This interdisciplinary DN will integrate comprehensive training opportunities in cutting edge technological innovations, regulatory and behavioral approaches across traditional disciplinary and sectoral boundaries. The consortium comprises universities, research institutions and companies located in the UK, France, Spain, Serbia, Italy, Switzerland, Cyprus and Germany.
Profile of the candidate:
- Master degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, geochemistry, geology or a related field.
- Experience in hydrogeology and/or analytical characterization and quantification of microplastics and nanoparticles would be an asset.
- The ability for independent, organized work is essential.
- Teamwork is also important as you will be integrated into a team with diverse research backgrounds, both within the PlasticsUnderground DN and within the host laboratory.
- The working language is English, and advanced communication skills in English (oral and written) are expected.
The selected candidate can be of any nationality but must comply with mobility rules of the PlasticsUnderground DN: At the time of selection by the host organization, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to their recruitment.
This Ph.D. position is hosted by Dr. F. Mermillod-Blondin, Dr. L. Simon, Prof. S. Krause, and Dr. L. Volatier in the LEHNA lab at the University Claude Bernard Lyon 1. Our research group focuses on functioning of aquatic ecosystems with a specific emphasize on groundwater ecosystems. For the past 5 years, we have been particularly interested in studying the fate, transport and impacts of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems. We are working in coordination with the Metropole of Lyon on managed aquifer recharge systems offering ideal field sites to study the influence of river water and stormwater runoff infiltration on the aquifers.
The position is fully funded for 3 years by the PlasticsUnderground DN. PhD salaries will be in accordance with European standards. In addition to the facilities in the LEHNA lab, the PlasticsUnderground DN will provide ample opportunities for international and inter-sectoral secondments, International Joint Experiments, Advance Training Courses (ATCs) among other activities. Consequently, the candidate is expected to travel internationally during the appointment.
Please send your application to florian.mermillod-blondin@univ-lyon1.fr, laurent.simon@univ-lyon1.fr, S.Krause@bham.ac.uk and Laurence.VOLATIER@entpe.fr until May 07, 2023. The application should include:
1) CV
2) Copies of original diploma of bachelor’s and master’s degree
3) Letter of motivation
4) The names and contact details of two potential referees
Requirements
Research Field: Environmental science
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Geosciences
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Water resources engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Languages: ENGLISH; LevelGood
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
The candidates must not yet be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. The position is part of a doctoral network (see below) and provides ample opportunities for international and inter-sectoral secondments, international joint experiments, advanced training courses (ATCs) among other activities. The candidates can be of any nationality, but must comply with the following mobility rule: At the time of selection by the host organization, the candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to recruitment.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 / Laboratory of Ecology of Natural and Anthropized Hydrosystems (LEHNA)
Country: France
City: Villeurbanne
Postal Code: 69622
Street: 6 rue Raphaël Dubois
Where to apply
E-mail: laurent.simon@univ-lyon1.fr
Contact
City: VILLEURBANNE Cedex
Website: http://www.univ-lyon1.fr
Street: 43, boulevard du 11 novembre 1918
Postal Code: 69622
