PhD scholarship in ecotoxicological testing and screening of advanced agrichemicals for stakeholders with regulatory purposes and needs - DTU Sustain

A PhD scholarship is available at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) within the topic of non-vertebrate ecotoxicological testing and Safe and Sustainability by Design (SSbD) of advanced agrochemicals.
A PhD scholarship is available at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering (DTU Sustain) within the topic of non-vertebrate ecotoxicological testing and Safe and Sustainability by Design (SSbD) of advanced agrochemicals.

The specific focus of the advertised scholarship is on completing a series of ecotoxicological tests on algae, crustaceans, fish embryos as well as soil microorganisms for a range of advanced agrochemicals and/or formulations. The tests to be completed will follow existing

OECD standards of relevance in order to ensure regulatory relevance and acceptability. The test data generated in this PhD study is to support the completion Stage 2 of the SSbD assessment when it comes to the (eco)toxicity of the final materials/formulation.

The work will furthermore include an analysis of how best to support the European Commission and stakeholders with the evaluation of advanced agrochemicals when it comes to the overall applicability and further development of the SSbD framework. The research is primarily focused on ecotoxicology, but also combines elements of engineering, material science, chemical risk assessment and regulatory guidance. The overarching context is SSbD of advanced agrichemicals.

The scholarship is a 3-year position and is funded by EU H2020 Project, AGRO4AGRI. AGRO4AGRI seeks to provide ground-breaking and Safe and Sustainable by Design solutions for plant nutrition and protection consisting of nano and biobased controlled delivery fertilisers and plant biostimulants, and target-specific biopesticides based on double stranded RNA technology, both for enhanced agrochemicals use efficiency. The PhD-student will work within the work package on Environmental, safety, and socio-economic assessment lead by DTU Sustain.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be situated within the section of Environmental Contamination & Chemicals of DTU Sustain and will be a part of our team working on ecotoxicology, regulation and risk assessment of emerging risks and pollutants. You will work in collaboration with scientists from all around Europe. The exact design of the PhD project will be decided in collaboration with the main supervisor, Senior Researcher Lars Michael Skjolding and co-supervisor Associate Professor, Steffen Foss Hansen from DTU Sustain. The position will also include teaching in bachelor and/ or master level courses, supervising student projects or performing other departmental duties.

The responsibilities for the PhD position includes:

• Performing a state-of-the-art analysis of existing data and information of advanced agrochemcials of relevance to AGRO4AGRI
• Completing a range of ecotoxicological tests on agrochemicals of relevance to AGRO4AGRI
• Assist in the evaluation of the SSbD framework applied on agrochemicals
• Teach within the area of chemicals in the environment
• Publication of innovative research findings and results in the scientific literature and presentations at international conference/meetings in English
• Active collaboration with other research sections/groups at DTU Sustain and other departments at DTU as well as at other partners within AGRO4AGRI.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Lars Michael Skjolding ([email protected]).

You can read more about DTU Sustain at www.sustain.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 August 2024 (23:59 Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A maximum 2 pages review of the existing chemical human risk assessment methods and their pros and cons

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Sustain
DTU Sustain is one of the largest university departments specializing in environmental engineering in Europe. The department conducts research and development, and provides educational programs and service to society in the area of engineering of water in natural, urban and industrial contexts, processing and recovery of residual resources, environmental risk assessment and chemical risk reduction. The aim is to develop new environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies, and to disseminate this knowledge to society and a new generation of engineers. The Department has approximately 185 staff from more than 30 nationalities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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