Company Description
The University Ramon Llull is a confederation of schools, faculties and departments. IQS is its oldest founding member and consists of two major schools, the School of Engineering and the School of Management that form each an administrative grouping of departments and other institutions among which there are three strategic academic divisions: IQS Executive Education that offers cutting-edge and transformative learning experiences to business leaders; IQS Tech Transfer that promotes research with impact, innovation and technology transfer for companies and organizations and IQS Tech Factory that fosters entrepreneurship and supports the creation of new scientific-technological companies.
With 100 years of teaching experience, IQS is a university center of reference, committed to donating responses to the continuum of challenges that the social, economic, technological and industrial context poses.
Our mission and commitment are to cultivate individuals with values and competencies needed to flourish humanely and professionally.
Position
Project Overview:
Are you passionate about environmental chemistry and instrumental analysis? Join our research team to study the occurrence of cyanotoxins in Catalan reservoirs and their potential impact on drinking water production. This project aims to develop both targeted (LC-MS/MS) and non-targeted (LC-QTOF and LC-Orbitrap) methods for analyzing cyanotoxins in various aqueous matrices. We will assess cyanotoxin levels in Catalan reservoirs and evaluate the efficiency of drinking water treatment processes in eliminating these toxins.
Background:
The global occurrence of cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (cHABs) has been rising due to increasing global temperatures and freshwater eutrophication, largely driven by extensive fertilizer use in agriculture. These blooms produce diverse cyanotoxins that adversely affect water quality. Events like the severe drought in Catalunya in 2024, which led to record low reservoir levels, can further exacerbate cHABs in warmer, nutrient-rich conditions.
Research Focus:
- Method Development: Create targeted and non-targeted analytical methods for cyanotoxins.
- Monitoring: Use grab and passive sampling to monitor cyanotoxin levels in reservoirs, with a focus on warmer months (June-September).
- Predictive Modeling: Utilize environmental data and machine learning to predict cHAB occurrences.
- Treatment Efficiency: Study the effectiveness of drinking water treatment steps (flocculation, coagulation, filtration, oxidation) in removing cyanotoxins using real algal blooms and lab cultured cyanobacteria.
- Toxicity Assessment: Determine the toxicity of algal blooms and individual cyanotoxins using in-vivo models (zebrafish and Daphnia magna).
Fellowship Details:
- Duration: 3 years of competitive funding.
- Team: Work with a dynamic, multidisciplinary team of chemists, chemical engineers, and toxicologists.
- Support: Receive training in most advanced LC-MS techniques, close supervision, attendance at international congresses, and opportunities for creativity.
Requirements
- Education: BSc and MSc in Analytical Chemistry or related fields.
- Skills: Hands-on experience in chromatography and/or mass spectrometry is an asset.
- Attributes: Ability to work independently and collaboratively, creativity, excellent communication skills, and fluency in English.
- Academic Record: Strong academic performance is highly valued.
Other information
We are an equal opportunity employer. We promote equality and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law. We strongly welcome applications from female candidates as they are currently under-represented at this level in this field of knowledge in our School.
We also promote scientific and technological knowledge, business transformation and societal progress. At IQS we look for professionals committed to both these values.
