10 PhD Fully Funded Positions in Europe in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry, Microbial Ecology, Ecotoxicology, Molecular Biology

Are you passionate about environmental science? Here's your chance to make a difference! Agristok is thrilled to announce 10 fully funded PhD positions in Europe, focusing on Environmental and Analytical Chemistry, Microbial Ecology, Ecotoxicology, and Molecular Biology. But that's not all – these positions are dedicated to improving the monitoring and environmental risk assessment of pharmaceuticals, antimicrobial resistance, and pathogens across terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Let's dive into the context of Pharm-ERA: Pharmaceutical micro-pollutants, commonly used in human and animal healthcare, pervade our surroundings, from soil to water and sediment. Unfortunately, this chemical contamination often goes hand in hand with microbiological pollutants, contributing to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance and pathogens. These issues not only pose risks to biodiversity and ecosystem health but also have significant implications for human and animal well-being, aligning with the World Health Organization's 'One Health' approach.

Microbial communities, though invisible to the naked eye, play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health. With their vast diversity, they facilitate essential ecological functions such as nutrient recycling and pollutant degradation. Moreover, diverse microbial populations act as a natural barrier against the proliferation of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms and pathogens.

To address these challenges, Pharm-ERA has outlined three primary research objectives:

1. Assessing and predicting the fate of pharmaceuticals and their byproducts across various environmental mediums.
2. Investigating the ecotoxicological effects and environmental risks of pharmaceuticals on soil and aquatic ecosystems.
3. Determining the main drivers behind antimicrobial resistance and pathogen dissemination, with a focus on microbial diversity and environmental factors.

The operational objective is to develop and implement operational tools and methods for improving monitoring and environmental risk assessment at the EU level.

Pharm-ERA stands at the forefront of environmental science, integrating ecosystem compartments to better understand the distribution of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products across soil, water, and sediment.

The doctoral network endeavors to tackle the deficiency in holistic PhD training programs by instituting an advanced training initiative that collaborates with leading scientists, experts, and environmental managers from around the globe.

Each of the 10 PhD projects will utilize cutting-edge methods tailored to achieve the research objectives, including analytical techniques, multi-omics approaches, mesocosm experiments, field surveys, and modeling methods.

Joining Pharm-ERA means becoming part of a high-level interdisciplinary research and training network. With nine beneficiaries and six associated partners committed to research, training, and dissemination efforts, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of environmental science! Apply now and become part of the Pharm-ERA family.

General recruitment criteria

• MSCA Mobility Rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment,
• All researchers recruited in a DN must be doctoral candidates (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment),
• Scientific excellence to fit the PhD project,
• Fluent (oral and written) English skills as the project operates in English language,
• Knowledge of the language of the host country may be considered a merit,
• Team-mindedness.

Timeline

• 14th April 2024 – 6:00 pm french time: deadline for applications,
• 16th April 2024 to 31st May 2024: evaluation of the application by Pharm-ERA selection committee,
• best CVs for interview (by Skype, zoom, Microsoft Teams etc.),
• Spring 2024: starting of the procedure for the employment of ESRs, according to the Beneficiary and MSCA rules,
• 1st September-31st October 2024: Enrolment of selected candidates in doctoral schools according local rules.

How to apply to Pharm-ERA?

• Select your topic in the PhD offers page & download the detailed offer, please note that it is possible to apply for several offers
• Download application form (here) and fill it indicating all the offers you wish to apply for. Save it with the name “PhD application form – YOUR NAME (first and last)”
• Send your application by email to [email protected]. The title of your email MUST be : Pharm-ERA PhD x, x, x application (x, x, x being the number(s) of the PhD position(s) you want to apply for). Please favor sending documents using a file transfer solution (e.g. wetransfer)
• Be careful to join all documentation required (see list below)
• You will receive an aknowledgment of receipt within the next 2 working days (if it’s not the case, send an email to [email protected])
• DEADLINE for application is April 14th 2024, 6:00 pm french time

Documentation to be sent in by applicants:

• Application form completed
• Letter of motivation
• Contact of two reference persons to be contacted by the selection committee (name, relation to the candidate, e-mail address and phone number)
• CV
• Complete list of publications and academic works
• Proof of language proficiencies
• Proof of master diploma or 2024 registration to master degree

List of the 10 PhD positions:

Contact: [email protected]