PhD Position Microbial Transformation Processes in Contaminated Sediment Depots

This PhD project focuses on microbial transformation in contaminated sediments, studying pollutant degradation pathways, microbial communities, and bioreactor concepts for sustainable sediment management.

Job description

Contaminated sediment depots contain mixtures of polluted dredged sediments that have long term evolved under anaerobic and often brackish environmental conditions. While these depots are extensively monitored, little is known about the changes in microbial communities and pollutants over decades of in-situ storage. The system is strongly stratified, poorly mixed, and exhibits sharp gradients in geochemistry and microbial activity, resulting in major uncertainties in pollutant fate, microbial processes, and long term environmental impacts.

A central knowledge gap concerns whether indigenous anaerobic microbial communities can transform persistent pollutants. Identifying degradation pathways, responsible enzymes, and the environmental conditions that drive these transformations is essential to support risk assessment, future remediation technologies, and the potential development of circular resource concepts.

This PhD project focuses on microbial process discovery and microbial transformation in contaminated sediments, using advanced omics-based tools to identify organisms, enzymes, and metabolic pathways capable of transforming selected pollutants under anaerobic conditions.

You will

• collect and characterize sediment samples from the depot
• perform metagenomics, metaproteomics, and non-targeted mass spectrometry analyses
• identify active transformation pathways and link enzymes to organisms
• perform enrichment cultivation under controlled redox conditions
• develop proof-of-concept bioreactor experiments to demonstrate microbial degradation of selected contaminants

The PhD will work closely with a Postdoc who focuses on physicochemical treatment and resource recovery strategies. Together, you form the core research team within the Sludge to Resource program, part of the Haskoning Innovation & Education Fund and co-funded by the TKI ChemistryNL research programme.

This project will deliver fundamental insight into microbial processes occurring in long term sediment depots, providing the scientific foundation for future remediation and circular water treatment technologies.

Job requirements

• MSc degree in microbiology, biotechnology, environmental engineering, environmental microbiology, biogeochemistry, or a related field.
• Strong affinity with microbial ecology and/or microbial physiology or contaminant removal.
• Experience with one or more of the following is an asset: (meta)genomics, (meta)proteomics, analytical chemistry (LC MS/MS), anaerobic cultivation, microbial enrichment.
• Ability to independently design and conduct experiments, analyse data, and report findings clearly.
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary team at the interface of microbiology, environmental engineering, and geochemistry.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, as you will be working in an international research environment.

If your mother language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction, you must submit proof of English proficiency from either TOEFL (minimum total score of 100) or IELTS (minimum total score of 7.0). Proof of English language proficiency certificates older than two years are not accepted.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.

Faculty Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences provides a strong research environment across Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract includes an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to making your move as smooth as possible. The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information and events to help you prepare your relocation, settle in the Netherlands, and expand your social network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.