Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter/wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin (m/w/d) / PhD-Position (m/f/d)

PhD-Position (m/f/d)

Reference number: L

Term limitation: limited for three years

Beginning:

Location: Landau

Scope: Part time 75% (29,25 hours/week)

Remuneration: E 13 TV-L

Department: Natural and Environmental Sciences – Institut für Umweltwissenschaften: AG Umwelt- und Bodenchemie

With about 17,000 students, more than 300 professorships and around 160 degree programs, the University of Kaiserslautern‑Landau (RPTU) is the technical university of the state of Rhineland‑Palatinate. As a place of top international research, it offers excellent working conditions and career opportunities. Those who study, research or work at RPTU experience a cosmopolitan environment and shape the future.

PhD position to study the sorption of heavy metals and PFAS on natural nanoparticles

Natural nanoparticles are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and play an important role in the fate of pollutants. Given the growing concerns about emerging contaminants, particularly PFAS, it is crucial to understand and quantify their interactions with these particles to better predict their environmental behavior.

Responsibilities

In a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the sorption of PFAS and heavy metals onto natural nanoparticles will be investigated in situ using a dedicated field exposure method developed by our team, complemented by laboratory experiments and machine‑learning approaches. A central aspect of this project is the formation of a complex sorption layer—known as the eco‑corona—on the nanoparticles and its influence on pollutant sorption.

We are seeking to hire a PhD student (m/f/d) to conduct field and laboratory sorption experiments, determine PFAS concentrations, and characterize the sorption layer using TGA‑MS.

Requirements

A successfully completed bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemistry with a focus on analytical or environmental chemistry is required. Applicants must have a strong background in organic extraction, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Experience with analytical instrumentation (LC‑MS and TGA‑MS) and good knowledge of colloid chemistry are desirable. A goal‑oriented working style, creativity, initiative, and a proactive attitude are essential. Very good English language skills are required. Willingness to participate in field experiments and possession of a Class B driver’s license are also required.

Benefits

• Health promotion
• Family Service Center
• Vocational Training
• Flexible working hour and home office
• Jobticket
• Retirement provision
• Sport & Fitness programmes
• Culture & Leisure offers
• Local recreation in the Palatinate Forest

• 3‑year contract in a fully funded collaborative research project
• Excellent interdisciplinary support, national and international collaborations and access to state‑of‑the‑art research facilities and instrumentation
• The place of work will be the Institute for Environmental Sciences Landau, a friendly and international working environment within a region of high living quality

Application

We look forward to receiving your detailed application (CV, references, etc.) by at the latest.

Please submit your application via our application portal:

For further questions, please contact Dr. Allan Philippe (e‑mail: ).

Legal / EEO Statement (English)

RPTU stands for diversity among all employees. We welcome applications from all interested parties, regardless of their ethnic and social origin, age, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation or identity. Preference will be given to severely disabled persons and persons equivalent to them if they have the appropriate qualifications and suitability.

RPTU aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are underrepresented. Applications from researchers from abroad are expressly encouraged. The appointment will be subject to the German law on fixed‑term contracts in science (WissZeitVG).

Legal / EEO Statement (German)

Die RPTU steht für die Vielfalt aller Beschäftigten. Wir begrüßen Bewerbungen von allen Interessierten, unabhängig von deren ethnischer und sozialer Herkunft, Alter, Religion, Geschlecht, Behinderung und sexueller Orientierung oder Identität. Schwerbehinderte und diesen gleichgestellten Personen werden bei entsprechender Qualifikation und Eignung bevorzugt eingestellt (bitte der Bewerbung einen Nachweis über die Schwerbehinderung/Gleichstellung beifügen).

Die RPTU strebt in Bereichen, in denen Frauen unterrepräsentiert sind, eine Erhöhung des Frauenanteils an. Bewerbungen von Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern aus dem Ausland sind ausdrücklich erwünscht. Die befristete Einstellung erfolgt auf der Grundlage der Regelungen des Gesetzes über befristete Arbeitsverträge in der Wissenschaft (WissZeitVG).