Job description
Topic: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in sustainable aquaculture
Supervisor – Radek Gebauer, Ph.D.
Contact: rgebauer@frov.jcu.cz, +420 728 586 119
Annotation
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) represent a serious environmental problem. These chemicals are stable, accumulate in the environment, and can adversely affect human health. In response to identified health risks, the European Union has introduced strict limits on PFAS content in foods, including fish products. These regulations pose a significant challenge, particularly for the Czech Republic, where aquaculture is dependent on exports. The aim of the proposed Ph.D. thesis is to provide a comprehensive solution to the PFAA issue in intensive aquaculture, especially in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and aquaponic systems. The project will verify options for the removal of PFAS from aquaculture sludge, which can be utilized within bioeconomic processes such as the production of organic fertilizers, biogas, or composting. Attention will also be paid to the fate of PFAS in aquaponics, particularly their potential transfer to plants and the possibility of degradation during remineralization processes. An important outcome will be the development and validation of environmentally friendly technologies to reduce PFAS levels in the system, including depuration of fish and plants before harvest to enhance the safety of final products.
The main hypothesis
· PFAS can contaminate plants in aquaponics.
· New technologies and processes can decrease PFAS concentrations in the production system.
· New technologies and processes can decrease PFAS concentrations in fish and plants.
Aim(s) of the Ph.D. thesis
· To screen the PFAS flows in the production system.
· To develop a technology to decrease PFAS concentration in the production system.
· To develop a technology to decrease PFAS concentration in fish and plants.
Possible approaches to reach the aims / to verify the hypotheses
· The screening of the PFAS flows will be performed in selected fish farms.
· Technologies such as advanced oxidation processes and biotechnology will be used to decrease PFAS concentrations.
References
· Buck, R. C., Franklin, J., Berger, U., Conder, J. M., Cousins, I. T., De Voogt, P., Jensen, A. A., Kannan, K., Mabury, S. A., & van Leeuwen, S. P. (2011). Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the environment: Terminology, classification, and origins. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 7(4), 513-541.
· Christensen, K. Y., Raymond, M., Blackowicz, M., Liu, Y., Thompson, B. A., Anderson, H. A., & Turyk, M. (2017). Perfluoroalkyl substances and fish consumption. Environmental Research, 154, 145–151.
· EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Method 1633 – Analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous, solid, biosolids, and tissue samples by LC-MS/MS. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-01/method-1633-final-for-web-posting.pdf
· Goodrow, S. M., Ruppel, B., Lippincott, R. L., Post, G. B., & Procopio, N. A. (2020). Investigation of levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in surface water, sediment and fish tissue in New Jersey, USA. Science of The Total Environment, 729, 138839.
· Hloušková, V., Lanková, D., Kalachová, K., Hrádková, P., Poustka, J., Hajšlová, J., & Pulkrabová, J. (2013). Occurrence of brominated flame retardants and perfluoroalkyl substances in fish from the Czech aquatic ecosystem. Science of The Total Environment, 461-462, 88–98.
· Houde, M., De Silva, A. O., Muir, D. C., & Letcher, R. J. (2011). Monitoring of perfluorinated compounds in aquatic biota: An updated review. Environmental Science & Technology, 45(19), 7962-7973.
· Semerád, J., Horká, P., Filipová, A., Kukla, J., Holubová, K., Musilová, Z., & Cajthaml, T. (2022). The driving factors of per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substance (PFAS) accumulation in selected fish species: The influence of position in river continuum, fish feed composition, and pollutant properties. Science of The Total Environment, 816, 151662.
· Zhang, T., Sun, H. W., Lin, Y., Liu, Y., Geng, X., Zhao, L., Li, F., & Kannan, K. (2011). Perfluorinated compounds in human blood, water, edible freshwater fish and seafood in China: Daily intake and regional differences in human exposures. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(20), 11168-11176.
Funding
NAZV PFAS3AKVA (Gebauer PI), Interreg Aquacycle (Malinovskyi PI, Gebauer responsible for Laboratory of Nutrition)
CENAKVA Research program
RP3 Sustainable aquaculture with a responsible water and nutrient management
Activities
· Daily Ph.D. study in the discipline of Fishery
· Working on student’s own Ph.D. thesis topic
· Publishing manuscripts in Q1-Q3 journals
· Presenting results at international conferences and faculty seminars, completing research internships abroad
· Teaching or assisting with courses, consulting or supervising bachelor’s or master’s students
· Supervising summer school projects
· Other activities within the given research unit
Requirements on applicants:
· Successfully completed master’s degree study in environmental chemistry, toxicology, ecology, biology, protection of environment, fishery, biology, agriculture, veterinary medicine or related fields
· Admission into the Fishery Ph.D. study program at USB FFPW, full-time form of study
· General knowledge of biology, aquatic ecology and chemistry
· English language knowledge at the B1 level or higher
· User-level computer skills, particularly the MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
· Communicativeness, responsibility, conscientiousness, organizational ability, willingness to learn new things, stress resistance
We offer:
· Nice working environment in new faculty facilities
· Study and work in an international team
· Opportunities for personal and professional development
· Other benefits (5 weeks of paid leave, 4 days of sick leave, MS Office for private use)
Starting date: September 2026
Working hours: equivalent to a full-time workload (40 hours per week)
Duration of the position: 4 years (standard duration of the Ph.D. study program)
Net monthly income: from CZK 25,000 (depending on the study results)
Place of work: depending on the supervisor’s location (Vodňany)
Get in contact with the supervisor listed under the selected topic. If you reach a mutual agreement, complete the e-application to study. Applicants should submit e-application to the Ph.D. study program by May 5, 2026.
More information at:
https://www.frov.jcu.cz/en/admissions/admission-procedures
Areas of Research
- Environmental Chemistry
- Fisheries & Aquaculture
- Sustainable Science & Technology
