Belgium : PhD fellowship–Development of an innovative method to analyse biogenic silica in terrestrial soils

The Universiteit Antwerpen is an open, student-oriented, democratic and pluralistic university. It aims for high quality and stimulates innovation in education, research and service. It is the ambition of the Universiteit Antwerpen to find answers for actual and relevant scientific, social and policy problems. Starting from a solid tradition, it continuously aims for a renewing, original and multidisciplinary approach. As a privileged actor in the contemporary knowledge society, the Universiteit Antwerpen considers itself predestined to play a pioneering role in the context of a number of pillars of research of national and international renown. It thinks of multidisciplinary collaboration as an important stimulator of innovative research and supports the development of initiatives in virgin paths and territories of research that might lead to innovating insights.

The Universiteit Antwerpen takes special care over all employees, as the quality of education, research and service also depends on them. Every member of staff as an individual can count on the recognition of his/her dignity and of his/her contribution to the realization of the tasks of the university. All members of staff are expected to treat each other on equal terms and in a spirit of mutual respect and trust. Staff policy is oriented at bringing about sustainable staff relations by means of e.g. aiming for maximal opportunities for development and promotion for those who have the appropriate qualifications and capacities, aiming for maximal job security, with a strong social concern, in particular for the family duties of the members of staff, and aiming for equal opportunities for women and members of staff with a migrant background.

In the department of biology of the Faculty of Sciences is following full-time position (m/f) available:

PhD-fellowship – Development of an innovative method to analyse biogenic silica in terrestrial soils

Background:

The Ecosystem Management Research Group (ECOBE) is active in basic scientific research towards ecological and biogeochemical processes in rivers, wetlands and ecosystems in general, and in applied environmental research aimed at optimizing ecosystem management.

Function:

- You are directly participating in innovative research towards the role of ecosystems in the terrestrial silica cycle. This is a quickly developing research topic, in which the Ecosystem Management Research Group has gained international recognition.

- Your research involves the start-up and implementation of a new innovative method to analyse for biogenic silica in ecosystem soils. The research will result in completely new insights in the reactivity of biogenic silica in terrestrial soils. Your PhD-project mainly involves soil from forests, grasslands and croplands in Belgium, and soils from bio-Si hotspots in the Okavango Delta (Botswana) and Fly River (Papua New Guinea)

- Through continuous measurement of dissolved aluminum and dissolved silica during alkaline soil extractions and detailed analysis of resulting reaction kinetics, you gain insight in the existence of separate fractions of biogenic silica.

- You will also perform detailed core-incubations to experimentally test reactivity of biogenic silica found through soil profiles and in the different ecosystems.

- The project is highly multidisciplinary. A good knowledge of biogenic silica reactivity in terrestrial soils is necessary in the framework of actual environmental issues such as climate change and coastal eutrophication. The implementation of the new method and the analysis of the reaction kinetics require a strong chemical and mathematical background and interest. The project brings together ecology, biology, chemistry and maths.

Your profile:

- You have a master’s or engineers degree in Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences or in a relevant research field.

- You are an ambitious young researcher, prepared to dig her- or himself for 100% into an innovative new research topic

- You are looking for a multidisciplinary research project, coupling ecological research to the development of a new chemical analysis method. The interpretation of the reaction kinetics will require a thorough mathematical background and interest.

Our offer:

-    A challenging and rewarding research fellowship in a dynamical research environment, within the framework of a 4-year new research project.

-    The contract can take effect from October 2010. The starting date can be determined together with the successful applicant.

-     A wide range of possibilities to attend scientific courses

-     Regular dissemination of you research at international conferences

-    A flexible research environment, where you receive a significant freedom in developing your own research project. This occurs in continuous interaction with the team leaders, and should enhance and stimulate the scientific achievements within the research group.

Apply:

-          Please apply before August 30, 2010

-          Please mail your motivation letter (describe shortly your motivation and your relevant knowledge) and curriculum vitae to Dr. Eric Struyf (eric.struyf@ua.ac.be)

-          More information about the fellowship can be obtained by contacting Dr. Eric Struyf ( eric.struyf@ua.ac.be , tel: +3232652304

Further Information

Application Deadline : 30 August 2010

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Posted on 2010-07-19 10:06:36

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