Stilling:
PhD scholarship within Radioecology / Environmental Radioactivity – Ref.no. 18/04634
Application deadline: 23.09.2018
The Section of Environmental Chemistry/CERAD Centre of Excellence, Faculty of Environmental Sciences (MINA) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) has a vacant 3-year PhD position within radioecology/environmental radioactivity.
The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) has about 200 employees and undertakes teaching, research and dissemination within the fields of geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, forestry, biology and ecology, natural resource management, renewable energy and nature based tourism. The faculty has about 600 students, and approximately 90 PhD-students. The employees of the faculty are highly reputable experts within their respective scientific fields, nationally as well as internationally and perform high levels of scientific production. For more information: https://www.nmbu.no/fakultet/mina
and in English: https://www.nmbu.no/en/faculty/mina
The CERAD Centre of Excellence for Environmental Radioactivity was established in 2013 at NMBU in collaboration with the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, the Meteorological Institute, the National Institute of Public Health and the Norwegian Institute of Water Research, and is funded until 2022 by the Research Council of Norway. CERAD has initiated long-term basic research to improve the ability to accurately assess the radiological impact and risks from environmental radioactivity, also combined with other stressors. By focusing on key factors contributing to the overall uncertainties, state-of-the-art tools and methods are developed to better manage those risks.
More information about CERAD: www.cerad.nmbu.no
Research project
The overarching goal of this research project is to further develop transfer models to predict mobility of naturally occurring radionuclides (NOR) and trace metals in soils and the subsequent uptake in food products in order to reduce uncertainties related to the assessment of food product quality and health hazards.
To achieve this goal, two objectives can be formulated:
(1) Identify the most important soil parameters influencing the mobility in soils and driving the uptake of NOR and metals into food products.
(2) Determine soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF) for metals and NOR contaminated soils under different climate conditions, and make a link between soil characteristics, the speciation of NOR and trace metals and TFs.
CERAD has a large national and international network, including several EU projects on Radioecology. The PhD student will be part of the CERAD consortium, and thereby work together with the very best scientists within this area. This PhD work will also be part of both national and international project consortium that will provide samples and sites, competence and a variety of qualified scientists.
Main tasks
The work will include both field studies and laboratory experiments using radioactive tracers. The work will be connected to ongoing projects at CERAD. The following tasks could be foreseen:
- State of the art analysis to identify NOR, speciation and mobility of NOR in soil and transfer to plants
- Selection and characterization of NOR contaminated soils
- Determination of in situ soil Kd and link with soil properties
- Determination of soil-to-plant TF and link with soil properties
- Link the speciation of NOR and trace metals to mobility and biological uptake
- Parametric model validation
The successful candidate is expected to enter a plan during the first months of the appointment for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period.
Work will be part of a team of researchers, doctoral fellows and graduate students in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management.
Visits to institutions abroad must be expected.
Academic qualifications
The successful applicant must meet the conditions defined for admission to a PhD programme at NMBU. The applicant must have an academically relevant education corresponding to a five-year Norwegian degree programme, where 120 credits are at master's degree level. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background from previous studies, and be able to document proficiency in both written and oral English. For more detailed information on the admission criteria please see the PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description.
The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject.
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Competence with alpha-, beta- and gamma-measurements
- Knowledge of radiochemical separation of naturally occurring radionuclides
- Experience in chemical laboratory work with different types of samples
- Good understanding of analytical laboratory work of good quality and health physics aspects
- Some experience with ICP-MS
Desired personal qualities
Personal characteristics important for the position are:
- Ability to target and work independently as well as the ability to cooperate.
- Good knowledge of the English language – both written and oral
- Ability to work results-oriented, accurate and structured in a fast paced environment
- Good communication skills, both related to teaching and research
- Future-oriented, innovative and a team-player
NMBU offers:
- An optimistic academic institution with focus on professional development, dissemination and competence.
- An interdisciplinary and inclusive environment that provides exciting research- and development opportunities.
- Daily contact with inspiring students and skilled colleagues.
- Various welfare schemes.
- Beautiful surroundings just outside Oslo.
Remuneration
The position is placed in government salary scale, position code 1017 PhD Fellow, wage framework 20/7. PhD. Fellows are normally placed in pay grade 51 (NOK 449.400) upon employment and follow ordinary meriting regulations.
Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars.
Further information
For further information, please contact Professor Lindis Skipperud, E-mail: lindis.skipperud@nmbu.no; phone +47 64965546
Application
To apply online for this vacancy, please click on the 'Apply for this job' button above. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
Application deadline: 23.09.2018
Applications should include (electronically) a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, full publication list, copies of degree certificates and transcripts of academic records (all certified), and a list of two persons who may act as references (with phone numbers and e-mail addresses). Publications should be included electronically within the application deadline.
Printed material which cannot be sent electronically should be sent by surface mail to Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Environmental Science, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, within 23.09.2018. Please quote reference number 18/04634.
If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.
A compulsory contribution of 2 % is made to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. A good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of gender, physical ability or cultural background. The workplace will if necessary be facilitated for persons with disabilities.
According to the Freedom of Information Act § 25 the list of applicants for this position may be made public irrespective of whether the applicant has requested that his/her name be withheld.