Are you concerned about the impacts of microplastic pollution on natural systems? Do you enjoy computational modelling and taking a systems perspective to address complex problems? Join us for a 4-year PhD position to model the long-term fate of synthetic microfibres in Dutch surface waters and their impacts on sediment dynamics.
PhD on Modelling Long-term Fate of Synthetic Microfibres (Microplastics) in Rivers
Working at the UvA
About the position
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 [for more information see PhD on Synthetic Microfibre (Microplastic) Interactions with Sediment Processes | Work at the University of Amsterdam]
2. PhD position on modelling long-term fate of synthetic microfibres (microplastics) in rivers [this position]
In PhD position 2, environmental fate models for microfibres in riverine systems will be (further) developed and employed to model the long-term accumulation and fate of synthetic microfibres in Dutch riverine systems at high spatial and temporal resolution. Different future scenarios will be evaluated to identify accumulation hotspots and explore possible tipping points in microplastic-sediment feedback processes.
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 advance microplastic environmental fate models to evaluate the fate of synthetic microfibres in surface waters and investigate possible microfibre-sediment feedback processes in future scenarios representing long-term emissions and global change. You will closely collaborate with another PhD student studying microfibre-sediment processes (aggregation, sedimentation) in the laboratory (the PhD that will be hired in the above mentioned other vacancy: …).
Additionally, you are expected to collaborate with the wider research group, including computational support staff, as well as external collaborators to expand your skillset.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Conduct high-quality research in a computational project;
- 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, Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field;
- experience in scientific programming and (preferably with expertise in Python or willingness to learn);
- 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.
