Radiochemical analysis of radionuclides in the environment and radioactive waste for assessing environmental risk, characterisation of waste and tracing environmental processes

Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) is looking for a PhD student on radiochemical analysis of radionuclides in the environment and radioactive waste for assessing environmental risk, characterisation of waste and tracing environmental processes. The candidate will work in the laboratory of radioecology and tracer studies in the Section of Climate and Monitoring.

Responsibilities and qualifications

• Develop radiochemical procedure for separation of radionuclides (e.g. ¹²⁶Sn, ⁷⁹Se) from radioactive waste samples
• Improve and optimize procedure for separation of Pb, U, Pu, Np and Am from environmental samples (e.g. seawater, sediment, soil, biotas)
• Develop and optimize mass spectrometry method for measurement of radionuclides (⁹³Mo, ⁷⁹Se, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹²⁶Sn, ^{234, 235, 236}U, ²³⁷Np, ^{239, 240, 242}Pu and ²⁴¹Am, focusing on advanced ICP-MS techniques.
•  Characterisation of radioactive samples for hard-to-measure radionucides
• Investigation of dispersion, migration and behaviour of radionuclides in the ecosystem for radioecological assessment, addressing to consequence of discharges of treated waste water from Fukushima and other nuclear facilities.
• Additionally, the candidate is expected to participate in the departments teaching, environmental monitoring and dissemination activities

You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree. Applicants must have a bachelor and/or master degree in chemistry or environmental science with education background and professional experience within one or more of the following fields:

• Environmental radiochemistry
• Radioanalytical chemistry
• Measurement techniques for radionuclides (alpha, beta, gamma and liquid scintillation counter, ICP-MS, AMS) and applications
• Nuclear and radiochemistry
• Environment chemistry
• Analytical chemistry
• Inorganic chemistry

Applicants should be diligent, talented, and able to communicate scientific results in English both orally and in writing. He/she must be able to work both in a team and individually. A preferred applicant has an excellent academic track record, solid research experience and is highly motivated towards developing new technology and making scientific breakthroughs.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU’s rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicant will be made by an evaluation committee. In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

• Technical qualification and background
• Motivation, Innovative skills and the ability to fulfil independent tasks
• Potential ability to be an excellent researcher

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

• An highly qualified international working environment with state-of-the-art facilities
• Interesting and challenging job in an international atmosphere with the focus on research, teaching, innovation
• Membership for all employees in the collective group life and accident insurance
• State pension fund

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The primary place of work is the section of Climate and Monitoring at Risø campus in Roskilde, Denmark

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from prof. Xiaolin Hou (e-mail: [email protected], Tel: +45-21325129) in Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain).

You can read more about DTU Sustain at www.sustain.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 2 January 2023 (Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply now”, fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• 2-3 Recommendation letters from your supervisor or manager

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.