Master thesis on the use of sludge based activated carbons for micropollutant removal (f/m/x)

Master thesis on the use of sludge based activated carbons for micropollutant removal (f/m/x)

Contract limitations

Limited contract

Contact

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:

Your application

Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your photo, age or marital status) and relevant attachments.

Diversity and Inclusion

The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity. We look forward to applications from people who are open‑minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.

The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long‑term protection of our natural resources.

The job

The Department of Technical Biogeochemistry at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is seeking a highly motivated Master’s student to work on “Synergies of oxidative treatment and sludge‑based activated carbon for the removal of PMOCs and their transformation products.” The student will investigate how advanced oxidation processes combined with sludge‑based activated carbon can improve micropollutant removal in a decentralised wastewater reuse system.

Your tasks

• Plan and execute a bench‑scale study comparing different treatment trains.
• Operate small oxidation reactors (e.g. UV/H₂O₂ or ozonation) and conduct sorption experiments.
• Wastewater sampling from a decentralised facility.
• Measure samples on LC‑HRMS measurements and perform targeted data acquisition for PMOCs and transformation products.
• Analyse and visualise trends and relate observed patterns to chemical properties (e.g. logD, charge, functional groups).
• Summarise results in a Master’s thesis and present findings within the research group.

The position to prepare the Master’s thesis is limited to 6 months and will be supervised at the site in Leipzig.

We offer

• Excellent supervision that supports your personal and professional development.
• Exciting insights into the work of a leading research institute.
• The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives.
• The opportunity to contribute and actively shape your own ideas and impulses right from the start.
• Modern technical equipment and IT service to optimally support your work.

Your profile

Required:

• Enrolment in a Master’s programme in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Water Management or a related field.
• Basic knowledge of water/wastewater treatment and organic pollutant behaviour (e.g. sorption, oxidation).
• Experience in experimental lab work (wet chemistry, reactors).
• Basic programming or data analysis skills (R, Python).
• Scientifically curious, ability to work independently, good organisational skills.

Preferred:

• Working proficiency in English (for lab notebook, data analysis and thesis).
• Previous practical experience with activated carbon, AOPs (UV/H₂O₂, ozone) or similar treatment processes.
• Experience with chromatography or mass spectrometry (LC‑MS/LC‑HRMS) and basic data handling.