1 PhD Research position in ecotoxicology in Belgium | University of Antwerp

The PhD is part of EcoDocks+, a cooperation between the Antwerp Port Authority and the University of Antwerp on environmental risk assessment. In the first year the research will focus on the impact of ‘exhaust gas cleaning systems’ (scrubbers) in the harbour and Scheldt estuary. Scrubbers are used to wash out pollutants from the exhaust gasses in order to comply with a more stringent legislation on sulphur emissions established since January 1st 2015. Scrubber use is now prohibited by Belgian legislation, while most other European harbours allow this technology. Knowledge on scrubber use and environmental impacted are limited. The outcome of present research will support a founded vision on responsible scrubber use on a national and international level.

During the PhD a large variety of techniques and methods will be used, including:

• (Waste)water and sediment sampling campaigns from a boat.
• In situ bioaccumulation experiments.
• Laboratory toxicity tests.
• Processing large existing datasets.
• Writing scientific papers.
• Translation of scientific results into useful policy advice.
• You are based in the Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research Group (SPHERE) headed by Prof. Ronny Blust, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (Groenenborgerlaan 171/U5, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium);
• There is a close interplay with people working at the environmental department of the Antwerp Port Authority;
• It is a multidisciplinary project in which bioscience, technology, legislation, modelling, …will be combined in an integrated impact assessment.

Profile and requirements

• You will have obtained or will soon obtain a Master’s degree in a relevant field (sciences, (bio-) engineering, environmental sciences, …);
• You are motivated and accept the challenge to obtain a PhD in environmental sciences;
• You are willing to apply for external PhD grants in the course of the project (IWT, FWO);
• You have very good study grades;
• You have background knowledge or a keen interest in ecotoxicology, modelling, policy, …
• You are interested to cooperate and to confer the approach, results and conclusions with involved authorities (Port of Antwerp, Flemish Environmental Agency, Flemish Department of Mobility).