an enthusiast PhD-candidate for the project 'Quantification and modelling of Fluxes of Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to Antarctic marine benthic organisms' (FluxPOPs), funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The project is focussed on the elucidation of the fluxes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Antarctic marine environment. For this, two field seasons are planned of several months (Austral summers of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017). Within the project the seasonal input of POPs in the Antarctic marine ecosystem will need to be quantified, and the further fluxes from the pelagic to the benthic system assessed. Based on the field observations, environmental modelling approaches will be developed. Finally, uptake in benthic organisms, and their metabolic potential will need to be quantified.

The project will be carried out at the sub-department of Toxicology, Wageningen University in close cooperation with the British Antarctic Survey. The fieldwork will be conducted at the Dirck Gerritsz lab, at Rothera Research station, Antarctic Peninsula.

The candidate is expected to organise and conduct the fieldwork, and to perform the analytical chemistry (GC-MS). This requires that the candidate has a wide span of expertises and interests.

Requirements

• You have a Master degree or an equivalent degree in Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Chemistry or an associated field in Life Sciences.
• You are an enthusiastic and motivated researcher with a strong interest in Environmental Toxicology, who likes working in the field and also in the lab. Preferentially you have already experience in field- and lab-work (analytical chemistry).
• You have good organizational, writing and presentation skills and should be able to work well both independently and in a team environment. Since the research will involve Antarctic fieldwork, you should be able to conduct research under extreme conditions, with the ability to solve technical problems independently.
• You are expected to finalise a PhD, combined with a training and supervision trajectory, preferably leading to a registration as a European Registered Toxicologist. You will also participate in the organisation of practical courses within the curriculum of the sub-department and are expected to supervise MSc-students within your project.
• You have an excellent command of the English language, both orally and in writing, and preferably a command of the Dutch language in addition.

Terms of employment
We offer you a full-time (38 hours) temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2083,- in the first year rising up to € 2664,- per month in the fourth year. The candidate will be based at the sub-department of Toxicology in Wageningen. During the course of the PhD study, the student will participate in the educational program of the Graduate School for Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment (SENSE).

We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.

Contact information
For more information about this position, please contact dr. Nico van den Brink, telephone number +31-317-485796.
For more information about the contractual aspects, please contact Wilma Jansen, HR advisor, telephone number +31 317 484923.

Interested?
You can apply online at http://www.wageningenur.nl/en/Jobs.htm until January 5th 2015.

About Wageningen UR
The sub-department of Toxicology carries out molecular-driven research in food- and environmental toxicology. On the basis of mechanistic understanding, relevant toxicological processes are translated into risk analyses for evaluation in human health and ecological processes. The sub-department of Toxicology actively contributes to globally relevant topics, such as: evaluation of the safety of new and existing food ingredients, biocides, nanotoxicology, contaminants in the food chain; Polar ecotoxicology; environmental toxicology; wildlife toxicology; the role of epigenetics in modes of toxic action; alternatives to animal testing; endocrine disruption; the development of biomarker techniques and bioassays for tracing contaminant effects; the mode of action-based bioassays for marine biotoxins; and alternative in vitro and in silico methods for toxicological risk assessment.

The sub-department is a leading, multidisciplinary, research group in food and environmental toxicology, which collaborates closely with industry and comprises a dynamic team of PhD students and staff.

The Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group is part of Wageningen UR where fundamental and applied sciences complement each other. As an important international player, we carry out top-level research and work alongside authoritative partners within the international business world as well as the government on 'Healthy food in a biobased society'. We have a crucial role in innovations within the market. Entrepreneurship and professionalism are what define us. In short, we are an interesting, international employer of stature.

Wageningen University and Research centre
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus – each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society – such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.

Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need.

For further information about working at Wageningen UR, take a look athttp://www.wageningenur.nl/en/Jobs.htm

Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.