PhD student in biological wastewater treatment

This PhD student position offers a unique opportunity to explore the biological processes underpinning nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment plants. If you are driven by curiosity, motivated, and eager to contribute to advancements in microbial ecology and wastewater management, we encourage you to apply.

About The Project

As a PhD student, you will immerse yourself in the fascinating world of microbial communities and their role in nitrogen removal processes. In wastewater treatment, nitrogen removal is typically accomplished by the biological processes nitrification, denitrification, and anammox. You will focus on the interplay between bacteriophages and the bacteria crucial for these processes. The project will both involve sampling at full-scale treatment plants and operatation of laboratory-scale systems. Additionally, you will employ various molecular biology techniques, such as metagenomics, to analyze the microbial communities.

Although you will focus on the research project and your own development as a researcher, the position is also an opportunity to participate in teaching and interact with students at both the undergraduate and master level. Such experiences will complement your growth as a researcher.

Research environment

Your work will be based at the Division of Water Environment Technology (WET), part of the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology. As a member of the Wastewater Management and Environmental Biotechnology research group, you will collaborate closely with senior researchers, other PhD students, and postdocs. Our research spans from microbial ecology theory to process engineering. We also develop new biotechnological processes and investigate the fundamental science behind these processes. Examples of research areas where we have had projects are anammox, fermentation, microbial electrochemistry, aerobic granular sludge, moving bed biofilm processes, and recirculating aquaculture systems. Many of our projects are conducted in partnership with municipalities, R&D companies, and consultants, bridging theoretical research and practical applications.

Major Responsibilities

In the role as a PhD student, you will:

• Analyse microbial communities responsible for nitrogen removal in full-scale wastewater treatment plants.
• Design laboratory-scale experiments for more detailed studies.
• Use advanced molecular biology techniques, including metagenomics, to examine the microbial communities.
• Present findings in academic conferences and scientific publications.
  
  

The position is full-time for 4 years, with the possibility of extending to 5 years through teaching responsibilities within the department.

Read more about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.