Postdoc in Sustainable Utilisation and Treatment of Dredged Marine Sediments

We offer a postdoc position in a project that aims to develop a sustainable treatment method for polluted dredged marine sediments, but also to assess innovative and sustainable methods for managing sediments and finding the best solutions, and finding the use of dredged sediments in the construction industry. The project is partly based on previous laboratory-scale research and is now focusing in a continuation on applications to solve the problems with the dredged sediments.

Information about the research project
Large amounts of sediment are dredged all over the world to make waterways navigable, especially for harbours located in estuaries, and the need for dredging will increase over time with the increasing transport at sea. However, dredged sediments are often heavily polluted due to previous emissions from ships and boats protected by antifouling paints containing highly toxic organotin compounds, as well as ongoing pollution from traffic and the urban environment. It is forbidden to dispose highly polluted sediments at the deep sea and landfilling on land is costly due to complex handling. In addition, potential construction material is discarded when the sediments cannot be used. Consequently, new management options must be implemented. Previous research in our research group has shown the potential of treating polluted dredged sediment in alternative ways to reach a more sustainable and circular economy. However, it is not possible to directly transfer knowledge from research projects into practice.

This project will be the missing link between research and implementation. By identifying both opportunities and hinders for the different full-scale management steps e.g. utilisation of sediment in different constructions purposes, we get deeper and better knowledge for suggesting sustainable solutions that not only save natural resources and decrease the potential release of pollutants but also offers new business opportunities for companies within the construction and waste sector. To reach this, it is also important to have a strong group of project partners with knowledge and experience within critical areas as the project group within this project. 

The project conducts literature searches, inventories, laboratory experiments, life cycle assessment, and multi-criteria decision analysis. The results of the project contribute to smaller quantities of polluted sediments being deposited in the deep sea and landfills and contribute to achieving several national and international environmental and sustainability objectives. The project contributes to all dimensions of the concept of sustainable development and development of green technology and circular economy.

Major responsibilities
As a post-doc you are expected to work independently and have the ability to plan and organise your work, in this project it is also very important to be able to work in close collaboration with other group members and the Swedish project partners. Further you need to be able to communicate scientific results, both orally and in written form in English. You are expected to participate in teaching Bachelor and Master level courses in the field of civil and environmental engineering. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
To qualify for this position you must hold a PhD in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a closely related field. Experience and/or education in any or several of the following fields are advantageous: experimental design, sampling and chemical analysis, water quality, laboratory work, fieldwork, organic chemistry, design of pilot plants, environmental assessment tools, life cycle assessement (LCA).

The position also requires excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Experience in teaching and pedagogical development of teaching in environmental and water engineering courses is meritorius. We also believe that you are a motivated person, with a strong curiosity and a genuine wish to learn more and develop your skills and knowledge further in the fields of research, research communication, and project management. Knowledge of Swedish is advantageous due to close collaboration with the project partners and the Swedish stakeholders.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .
Read more about working at Chalmers  and our benefits  for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence . Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210559 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV:(Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 29 December, 2021

For questions, please contact:
Professor Ann-Margret Strömvall, Water Environment Technology
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +46317728600

Adjunct Professor Karin Karlfeldt Fedje, Water Environment Technology
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +46317722149

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!    

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