The Neumann group has funding available for one EPSRC PhD studentship in Environmental Engineering, with the topic of Assessing the sustainability of iron clay mineral redox reactions for application in engineered systems.
Application deadline: 27 April
Selection interviews: 17-19 May
Start of studentship: September 2017
The project aims to provide fundamental understanding to aid in designing effective (natural) remediation strategies as well as engineered water systems such as aquifer storage and recovery. In the project, we will test the validity of the paradigm that iron-bearing clay minerals are a renewable source of reduction equivalents in the environment and expand current knowledge from closed systems to more realistic, flow-through conditions. To this end, we will investigate aspects of reversibility of clay mineral redox reactions; the effect of redox cycling on clay mineral stability and reactivity; and differences between chemical, microbial, and biologically mediated clay mineral iron reduction. We will complement our experimental work with quantitative modeling of the processes involved.
For this project, I am looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in environmental chemistry, geochemistry, soil science or a related discipline and with experience in the laboratory. The candidate should be motivated to conduct extensive laboratory work, including aqueous and solid phase analyses (HPLC, ICP-MS, XRD, Mössbauer spectroscopy). Experience in any of these techniques would be advantageous.
The award is available to UK/EU applicants only. Depending on how the EPSRC’s eligibility criteria are met, the applicant may be entitled to a full or a partial award. For required English language skills (international students only), please see here.
For more information, please contact me.