Are you concerned about the impacts of microplastic pollution on natural systems? Do you enjoy working in the laboratory and designing experiments to better understand the world around us? Join us for a 4-year PhD position to study the interactions of synthetic microfibres with freshwater sediments under different aquatic conditions mimicking current and future scenarios.
PhD on Synthetic Microfibre (Microplastic) Interactions with Sediment Processes
- Faculty of Science
- 14058
- Master's
- €2.901 - €3.707
- 38 hours
- Closes on31-05-2025
Are you concerned about the impacts of microplastic pollution on natural systems? Do you enjoy working in the laboratory and designing experiments to better understand the world around us? Join us for a 4-year PhD position to study the interactions of synthetic microfibres with freshwater sediments under different aquatic conditions mimicking current and future scenarios.
PhD on Synthetic Microfibre (Microplastic) Interactions with Sediment Processes
- Faculty of Science
- 14058
- Master's
- €2.901 - €3.707
- 38 hours
- Closes on31-05-2025
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 [this position]
2. PhD position on modelling long-term fate of synthetic microfibres (microplastics) in rivers [for more information see PhD on Modelling Long-term Fate of Synthetic Microfibres (Microplastics) in Rivers | Work at the University of Amsterdam]
In PhD position 1, a laboratory-based approach will be taken to study transformation and transport processes of microfibres in riverine systems, with a focus on measuring aggregation and sedimentation processes under a wide range aquatic conditions, representative of the present and of global change scenarios. This will shed light on the complex interplay between microfibre characteristics, natural sediments and water chemistry on the transport dynamics of both microfibres and sediments.
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.
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 [this position]
2. PhD position on modelling long-term fate of synthetic microfibres (microplastics) in rivers [for more information see PhD on Modelling Long-term Fate of Synthetic Microfibres (Microplastics) in Rivers | Work at the University of Amsterdam]
In PhD position 1, a laboratory-based approach will be taken to study transformation and transport processes of microfibres in riverine systems, with a focus on measuring aggregation and sedimentation processes under a wide range aquatic conditions, representative of the present and of global change scenarios. This will shed light on the complex interplay between microfibre characteristics, natural sediments and water chemistry on the transport dynamics of both microfibres and sediments.
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.
All about this vacancy
What are you going to do?
You will design and conduct experiments to study microfibre aggregation, interaction of microfibres with natural sediments and sedimentation kinetics of microfibre-sediment aggregates under a wide range of aquatic conditions. You will closely collaborate with another PhD student working on modelling microfibre fate and transport in Dutch river systems (the PhD that will be hired in the above mentioned second vacancy: ...)
Additionally, you are expected to collaborate with the wider research group, including laboratory support staff, as well as external collaborators to expand your skillset.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Conduct high-quality research in a laboratory setting
- 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, Material Science, or a related field;
- demonstrated laboratory experience, e.g. skills in analytical/environmental chemistry, sedimentology, soil sciences, hydrology, …;
- 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.
All about this vacancy
What are you going to do?
You will design and conduct experiments to study microfibre aggregation, interaction of microfibres with natural sediments and sedimentation kinetics of microfibre-sediment aggregates under a wide range of aquatic conditions. You will closely collaborate with another PhD student working on modelling microfibre fate and transport in Dutch river systems (the PhD that will be hired in the above mentioned second vacancy: ...)
Additionally, you are expected to collaborate with the wider research group, including laboratory support staff, as well as external collaborators to expand your skillset.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- Conduct high-quality research in a laboratory setting
- 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, Material Science, or a related field;
- demonstrated laboratory experience, e.g. skills in analytical/environmental chemistry, sedimentology, soil sciences, hydrology, …;
- 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.
Your place at the UvA
About us
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.
The current position will be based in the Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics (ELD). The mission of ELD is to improve our understanding of the functioning and dynamics of abiotic and biotic components of (geo-)ecosystems across landscapes through time, and in interaction with humans. Our research draws on six key research disciplines to tackle scientific and societal problems related to “Geodiversity, biodiversity and human-environment interactions through space and time”, and “Sustainable management of landscapes and ecosystems”.
In our Environmental Chemistry group we assess the environmental fate and impacts of emerging contaminants (nano-/microplastics. We use a combination of computational modelling and laboratory experiments to study how the interplay between contaminant properties and the environment impact environmental exposure and ultimately risks posed by different contaminants. We also work towards improving analytical methods for identifying emerging contaminants in various environmental matrices.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Organisational unit
The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.
Your place at the UvA
This is where you will be working
About us
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam. The research at IBED aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic (soil and water quality) and biotic factors (ecology and evolution of plants, animals, and microorganisms), and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.
The current position will be based in the Department of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics (ELD). The mission of ELD is to improve our understanding of the functioning and dynamics of abiotic and biotic components of (geo-)ecosystems across landscapes through time, and in interaction with humans. Our research draws on six key research disciplines to tackle scientific and societal problems related to “Geodiversity, biodiversity and human-environment interactions through space and time”, and “Sustainable management of landscapes and ecosystems”.
In our Environmental Chemistry group we assess the environmental fate and impacts of emerging contaminants (nano-/microplastics. We use a combination of computational modelling and laboratory experiments to study how the interplay between contaminant properties and the environment impact environmental exposure and ultimately risks posed by different contaminants. We also work towards improving analytical methods for identifying emerging contaminants in various environmental matrices.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Organisational unit
The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed. An inspiration to students since 1632, a vanguard player in international science and a partner in innovation.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of courses on offer. An intellectual hub with 42,000 students, 6,000 staff and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.
Important to know
Your application & contact
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage. We accept applications until and including 31 May 2025.
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience; Please also include the title if your Master Thesis and (if applicable) any scientific publications or conference presentations
- a letter of motivation (1-2 pages);
- the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines). The interviews will be held in the course of June 2025. Please do not send formal applications via email, but use the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage.
Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:
- Dr. Antonia Praetorius, Assistant Professor in Environmental Chemistry
- Email: [email protected]
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
Important to know
Your application & contact
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage. We accept applications until and including 31 May 2025.
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience; Please also include the title if your Master Thesis and (if applicable) any scientific publications or conference presentations
- a letter of motivation (1-2 pages);
- the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure (for details: national knowledge security guidelines). The interviews will be held in the course of June 2025. Please do not send formal applications via email, but use the ‘Apply’-button on the vacancy’s webpage.
Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:
- Dr. Antonia Praetorius, Assistant Professor in Environmental Chemistry
- Email: [email protected]
As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture.
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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.
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