PhD Fellowship in Isotope Studies of Pesticide Transformation from Soil to Aquifer

Are you a motivated and qualified young scientist with a passion for environmental research? This is an exceptional opportunity to join a collaborative and innovative research project focused on understanding the transport and transformation of pesticides and their transformation products from agricultural soil to groundwater, with a special emphasis on the nitrogen biogeochemical cycle. The Earth & Environment Institute (ITES) at the University of Strasbourg invites applications for a PhD Fellowship in the field of pesticide transformation and transport.

About Us:
The Earth & Environment Institute (ITES) is a dynamic research group with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research. Our team comprises approximately 200 collaborators dedicated to studying various aspects of the Earth and its surface environment, including hydrology, geochemistry, geology, and geophysics. We conduct lab- and field-scale experiments to gain insights into water and contaminant transport, and our research contributes to a more sustainable future.

Project Overview:
The ‘TOPENSUZ’ project, coordinated by ITES in collaboration with IPREM-Pau and Sorbonne University, seeks to unravel the transformation kinetics and pathways of pesticides in relation to the nitrogen cycle and microbial activity in the unsaturated zone. The project involves in situ investigations, hydrogeochemical analyses, stable isotope studies, and mechanistic interpretations. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing conceptual approaches and experimental tools to comprehend pesticide transformation processes in the unsaturated zone.

Qualifications and Responsibilities:
We are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria:

• Hold a Master’s degree in environmental sciences, contaminant hydrogeology, biogeochemistry, or environmental chemistry (within the last 5 years).
• Possess fieldwork experience, hydro(geo)chemical analysis skills, and possibly familiarity with isotope analysis.
• Have a strong command of the English language (written and oral).
• Demonstrate scientific reporting abilities, including at least one published or ongoing article in peer-reviewed journals.
• Exhibit effective communication skills and an aptitude for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Ideally, have international research experience and a working knowledge of hydrology/hydrogeology, pollutant transformation, pesticide chemistry, stable isotope analysis, and/or hydro(geo)logical modeling.

Position Details:

• Duration: 36 months
• Salary: 2135€ gross per month (according to French public sector regulations)
• Starting Period: January 2024

Application Process:
To apply, please submit the following documents in a single PDF file to Gwenaël Imfeld (strasbourg23061@earthworks-jobs.com), CNRS Research Professor at ITES:

1. Letter of motivation detailing your interest in the field and the project, your suitability, and how you plan to approach the project.
2. Detailed CV highlighting your qualifications and experiences.
3. List of publications.
4. Copies of certificates.
5. Recommendation letters from at least two referees.
6. A short research proposal (up to 3 pages) outlining your scientific approach and project plan.
7. Up to 3 publications supporting your application.
8. Any other relevant information.

The subject of the application email should read ‘Application to PhD Fellowship in Isotope Studies of Pesticide Transformation from Soil to Aquifer’.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2023

Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge environmental research and make a meaningful impact on the understanding of pesticide transformation. Join us at ITES in Strasbourg and be a part of a vibrant research community.