PhD researcher 'Data analysis non-target screening high-resolution mass spectrometry in the water cycle'

Will you help future-proof water quality monitoring by developing and validating the scientific knowledge and tools?

About the position

KWR Water Research Institute, in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam (UvA), is looking for an ambitious researcher for innovative water quality monitoring. The aim of the PhD project is to convert complex data from non-target screening, obtained with high-resolution mass spectrometry, into information relevant to practice with advanced data analysis tools.

The ‘WaterpatRoon’ project aims to (further) develop, validate and valorise an open-source software platform called ‘patRoon’ (rickhelmus.github.io/pat) for routine application in water quality monitoring. High-resolution mass spectrometry, with suspect screening and non-target screening, provides a powerful tool to measure the wide diversity of organic microcontaminants in water. Although these techniques are widely used in academia, they are still hardly used in routine monitoring. However, it is known that drinking water sources and other environmental matrices contain many substances including transformation products that affect water quality, which can be made visible by this non-target screening.

The PhD researcher will work in the fields of high-resolution mass spectrometry, environmental chemistry, data science and programming. The candidate will connect academia, research institutes and laboratories, and drinking water companies, bridging science to practice. The PhD researcher works independently within KWR’s Chemical Water Quality team and links closely with the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) and Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) of the University of Amsterdam and the Dutch drinking water sector. The research will lead to a PhD thesis to be defended at the UvA..

Your profile

Required qualifications include:

  • Master’s degree in chemistry with specialisation in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry or data science, or similar.
  • Relevant scientific and technical skills, preferably also experience with laboratory work.
  • Good programming skills (e.g. R, Python, Matlab).
  • Excellent communication and reporting skills in English.
  • Knowledge of Dutch language or willingness to learn the language.
  • Motivation to do a PhD, independence, and ability to collaborate.

Our offer

KWR offers a position within a professional organisation. As a research institute with strong links to universities, KWR will support you in developing and implementing the PhD programme.

The position is offered for a period of 4 years (1 FTE). We prioritize personal growth and career development and offer various opportunities such as courses and training to this end. Through the UvA, a diverse and tailor-made training programme is offered within the graduate school PERC. A good work-life balance is very important to us. KWR has excellent terms of employment because and is affiliated to the collective bargaining agreement for water companies (WWb). With us, you get a good salary, a flexible Employment Conditions Budget of 22.11%, a ABP pension and more great benefits).

About KWR

Safe and clean water is a great good. KWR is an internationally renowned research institute, and we contribute to applied scientific research throughout the water cycle. ‘Bridging science to practice’ is our mission. Our +/- 200 employees work on innovative projects in the Netherlands and increasingly in and outside Europe. The ten Dutch water companies and the Belgian ‘De Watergroep’ are our shareholders.

Applications received before Sept 9, 2024 will be given priority, but the ad will remain active until the vacancy is filled. Interviews are planned in week 40 and 41.

Are you the researcher we are looking for? Then email your letter of application, stating vacancy number 240909, your CV and three references to vacancy@kwrwater.nl before September the 9th 2024. Applications will be assessed by Thomas ter Laak, Stefan Kools, Annemarie van Wezel and Saer Samanipour.

For additional information about the research content, please contact Thomas.ter.Laak@kwrwater.nl. Research supervision will be in the hands of Dr. Thomas ter Laak, Dr. Saer Samanipour and Prof Dr. Annemarie van Wezel.

 

For information about the application procedure, please contact José van Lieshout (HR Advisor), tel. 030 – 60 69 536, e-mail: jose.van.lieshout@kwrwater.nl.

 

Data from this advertisement may not be used for marketing purposes. Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

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