Doctoral scholarship holder Enhanced Weathering for Climate Change Mitigation

Department: Department of Biology
Regime Full-time

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The Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science is looking for a full time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Enhanced Weathering for Climate Change Mitigation.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation of a PhD thesis on the project ‘Experimental verification of the influence of biota on enhanced silicate weathering.’ Enhanced silicate weathering is a promising but yet poorly studied technique for atmospheric CO2 removal. This project aims to experimentally quantify the CO2 sequestration through enhanced silicate weathering and how this CO2 sequestration is influenced by plants, mycorrhizal fungi and earthworms.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will conduct pot experiments to evaluate the influence of biota on the CO2 sequestration potential of enhanced silicate weathering.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in (Bio-) Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental sciences or related sciences or you will have obtained it by the time you start.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You are creative and act with attention to quality, integrity and cooperation.
• You should demonstrate English language proficiency.
• You are a team-player and have a great interest in climate change mitigation, soil science, biogeochemistry and experimentation.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
• The planned start date is between 1 October and 1 December 2021, or as soon as possible after that date.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for contract research staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• As a member of the research group Plants and Ecosystems (PLECO) , you will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 19 August 2021 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments: a motivation letter and your CV. We also expect contact details of at least one reference person (for example your (former) thesis supervisor).
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. Please make a note of the following dates: interviews on 30 and 31 August 2021.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Sara Vicca ([email protected] ).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.