Postdoctoral Researcher – Hemp-Based Phytoremediation for Safe Recycling of Lake Sediments

University of Southern Denmark · Odense

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• About the project
• Many lakes are affected by eutrophication and long-term pollution, with sediments acting as an important internal source of nutrients and contaminants. Sediment removal (dredging) is increasingly being used as a lake restoration measure to reduce internal nutrient loading and improve water quality. However, dredged sediments often contain contaminants such as heavy metals and PFAS, which can limit their safe reuse and instead lead to costly disposal.

At the same time, these sediments contain valuable nutrients and organic matter that could potentially be recovered and reused in agriculture. This project therefore aims to develop a phytoremediation approach using e.g., hemp (Cannabis sativa) or other relevant plants to reduce contaminant risks. The ultimate goal is to enable the safe reuse of dredged lake sediments as fertilizer and soil improver.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will investigate how phytoremediation can be used to remove, immobilize, or transform contaminants in sediment and how these processes affect the environmental fate and agricultural safety of the treated material.

• Your role
• You will design and conduct experiments to investigate the interactions between lake sediments, contaminants, and hemp plants. The work will include controlled plant-growth experiments on agricultural fields and in the laboratory, sediment and plant sampling, chemical analysis, and assessment of contaminant fate and transformation.

Key research activities will include:

• Designing and conducting experiments to grow e.g., hemp under controlled experimental conditions using contaminated lake sediments
• Sampling and analysing different plant parts and sediments over time
• Investigating the uptake, translocation, accumulation, degradation, and removal of heavy metals and PFAS
• Evaluating how phytoremediation affects the chemical properties and agricultural suitability of lake sediments
• Contributing to the development of guidelines and scientifically based criteria for the safe reuse of treated lake sediments as fertilizers or soil improvers
• Publishing results in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at scientific conferences

The project will involve collaboration across environmental chemistry, plant science, soil science, and sustainable nutrient management, in close collaboration with companies and farmers, providing an opportunity to work in a highly transdisciplinary research environment.

• Candidate profile
• We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-driven and ambitious researcher with a PhD in environmental science, environmental chemistry, plant science, soil science, agronomy, biotechnology, or a related field. The candidate should be able to work independently and to communicate fluently in English, have good writing skills as well as possess good interpersonal skills.

We particularly welcome candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Plant cultivation and controlled plant-growth experiments
• Phytoremediation or plant–soil interactions
• Collection and preparation of plant and environmental samples
• PFAS analysis and data interpretation
• PFAS degradation, transformation, transport, and fate in the environment
• Sediment or soil remediation and contaminant risk assessment
• Experience with hemp cultivation is an advantage but is not essential. More important is a strong interest in using plants to address environmental contamination and resource-recovery challenges
• Driving license (category B) is a must

You should have a demonstrated ability to independently plan and conduct scientific experiments, analyse and interpret complex datasets, and communicate research findings through scientific publications and presentations.

• What we offer
• This is a three-year postdoctoral position offering the opportunity to develop an independent research profile within an interdisciplinary project addressing an important environmental and agricultural challenge.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Develop expertise in phytoremediation and contaminant fate
• Work at the interface of environmental chemistry, plant science, and circular nutrient management
• Develop and apply advanced analytical approaches for analysis of heavy metals and PFAS
• Collaborate with researchers from complementary scientific disciplines as well as non-academic stakeholders
• Publish your research in international peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for lake restoration and agricultural resource recovery

About SDU
The University of Southern Denmark is Denmark’s third largest university with campuses across the country. As part of the Faculty of Science, the Department of Biology is located in Odense, the University’s largest campus. Odense is the country’s third largest city and is centrally located with easy commutes to Copenhagen and Aarhus (approximately 1½ hour).

• Living and working in Denmark
• Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary, taxation, housing and accompanying family. Additional information about working in Denmark can be found at Work in Denmark.We recommend that as an international applicant, you take the time to visit Work in Denmark where you will find information and facts about moving to, working and living in Denmark, as well as the International Staff Office at SDU.Contact information
• For more information about the Department and the position, please contact Professor Kasper Reitzel, reitzel@biology.sdu.dk.

• Application, salary etc.
• The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary (only available in Danish) and  taxation.

• Salary is determined in accordance with the applicable collective agreement and based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including the content of the position, responsibilities, and qualification requirements.
• As an applicant, you are entitled to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. This information will be provided during the recruitment process.
• SDU does not collect information on applicants’ previous salary.

The application must include the following:

• A curriculum vitae including information on previous employment with start and end dates 
• A full list of publications stating the scientific publications on which the applicant wishes to rely
• Copy of PhD diploma, if PhD diploma has not yet been received, please include statement from your supervisor 

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

To qualify you must have passed a PhD or equivalent. Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

• Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.
• If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

• About SDU
• The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.

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