PhD in Environmental Analytical Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has a vacancy for a PhD in Environmental Analytical Chemistry

The job

The Department of Chemistry at NTNU has a vacancy for a PhD Candidate position in environmental analytical chemistry, focusing on non-target analysis and suspect screening workflows. For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree. 

Chemical pollution is recognized as a key drivers of biodiversity loss. Protection of the environment and human health from the impacts of pollution is key in securing a resilient society. Due to the high number and enormous complexity of chemicals of potential concern, advances in high-resolution analytical techniques are urgently needed. The bottleneck for such analysis remains time-consuming data analysis processes, that can only be tackled by a combination of robust workflows with advanced data analysis tools.

Funded by NTNU, the PhD project will tackle this challenge by developing multiple non-target analytical workflows aimed at detecting persistent and/or toxic pollutants present in complex environmental samples and/or discharges. A key component of the project will be the development of data analysis workflows that tackle big data sets and enables both detection and prioritization of detected compounds through modelling of their environmental and toxicological properties. 

The candidate will be part of the Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Group (Environmental and Analytical Chemistry – Department of Chemistry – NTNU) at the Department of Chemistry. The candidate’s main supervisor will be Associate Professor Lisbet Sørensen. 

Your immediate leader is the Head of the Department of Chemistry. 

Duties of the position

  • Development and comparison of non-target analysis methods (GC-HRMS, LC-HRMS) focusing on data assessment workflows.
  • Application of developed methods in the context of pollutant prioritization, focusing on identification of ‘novel’ persistent and/or toxic pollutants in complex mixtures.
  • Supervision of master students and contribution to scientific dissemination and discussions within the research group.
  • Publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Presentation of scientific work at conferences.

Your Profile

Required selection criteria

  • You must have a professionally relevant background in analytical chemistry, or similar. 
  • Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master’s level
  • You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and an average grade from the master’s degree program, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
  • Master’s students are encouraged to apply, but the master’s degree must be obtained and documented by the starting date of the position. 
  • You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty of natural sciences’ doctoral program.
  • Proficiency in oral and written English. 

Preferred selection criteria

  • Hands-on experience with method development and chemical analysis using high-resolution organic analytical techniques (LC-HRMS, GC-HRMS).
  • Background or experience from environmental sciences.
  • Experience with non-target analysis data assessment tools.
  • Knowledge of cheminformatic tools, such as multivariate analysis, in silico modelling.
  • Proficiency in applied data programming languages, e.g., R, Python, Matlab.
  • In the case of equal qualifications, applicants with a Scandinavian language might be preferred due to teaching duties.

Personal characteristics

  • Strongly motivated to advance both own skills-set and the field of science.
  • Analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
  • Motivated to embrace challenges, enthusiastic, and result-oriented.
  • Proven initiative and ability to work independently, while being a team-player motivated by advancing others.

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate you are normally paid from gross NOK 532 200 per annum before tax. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years with a possible extension of 1 year for teaching duties.

The tentative start date for this position is August 2025, with potential adjustments for an earlier or later commencement depending on situational requirements.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Chemistry within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. 

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work. It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

  • CV and certificates 
  • Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not completed the master’s degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master’s thesis has been submitted.
  • A copy of the master’s thesis. If you recently have submitted your master’s thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position.
  • Name and contact information of three referees
  • If you have publications or other relevant research work

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor’s and master’s education, in addition to other higher education.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

For further information and to submit your application visit the University’s post. Application deadline: 12.01.2025