PhD candidate CARBOFLOW

Function
The CARBOFLOW project focuses on elucidating and quantifying mechanisms that lead to the subsurface mobilization and release into surface water of carbon that is currently still locked up in unconsolidated sedimentary sequences across the permafrost realm. The project combines interdisciplinary methods to quantify carbon export by deep groundwater in the Arctic. Combining soil column leaching experiments, numerical modeling and field data, a much-needed bridge between soil physics, geochemistry and hydrogeology is facilitated. CARBOFLOW will center around field data collection and laboratory experiments the result of which will be used to constrain novel numerical models of permafrost hydrogeology that, for the first time, include subsurface carbon transport.

The prospective PhD candidate will assist in planning field campaigns (focusing on the collection of natural soil samples from a permaforst area in North Sweden), preparation and design of laboratory experiments in the Soil Physics laboratory in Wageningen, and the construction and execution of numerical models of coupled heat flow and groundwater flow, and including solute transport.

The PhD candidate will join the Hydrology and Water Management Group (HWM) at Wageningen University and be part of the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK).
 

Function requirements

The position involves creative and varied work and the PhD candidate will become a member of a dynamic, international and multifaceted research group. The successful candidate has an inner drive, and is devoted and motivated to work with state-of-the-art environmental research. The applicant is expected to hold a university degree (MSc. or equivalent) in environmental science, earth sciences, engineering geology or similar. Knowledge within the field of hydrogeology and/or soil science, scientific programming and modeling, and data-analysis is required.  

Demonstrated experience in scientific writing, such as publications, essays or equivalent in English is essential. We are looking for an independent and creative person who thrives in a dynamic research environment. The project requires close collaboration with Dutch and foreign scientists, and accordingly, the applicant should be able to work both independently and collaboratively. Moreover, the applicant should be able to take responsibility for parts of the research project.

Wageningen University & Research is an international organisation. We expect our staff to have excellent command of the English language. This is an important factor in our selection process. Some job interviews will be in English. You will be informed beforehand should this be the case. This position requires an excellent English language proficiency  (a mininum of CEFR C1 level).
 
 

Working conditions

Wageningen University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.
 
Contactinformation

The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr. Victor F. Bense (HWM) and Dr. Martine van der Ploeg (SLM), Prof. Remko Uijlenhoet (HWM) will act as promotor.  

Dr. Victor Bense, Phone: +31 (0)317 482 055, E-mail: victor.bense@wur.nl
Dr. Martine van der Ploeg, Phone: +31(0)317 483714, E-mail: martine.vanderploeg@wur.nl