Post-doctoral Researcher (Nanoparticle Geochemistry) School of Earth Sciences University College Dublin We wish to appoint a Post-doctoral Researcher (Temporary, 2 year contract) in the field of engineered nanoparticle groundwater contamination. The successful candidate will work on the project ‘Linked laboratory and field investigations of engineered nanomaterial (ENM) behaviour in selected soils and groundwaters’. This project is one of several within the Groundwater spoke of iCRAG (Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences – www.icrag-centre.org). The main objective is to develop a scientific basis to assess the risks to Irish groundwaters associated with the increased prevalence of ENMs in the environment, specifically focusing on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The goals of the project are: (i) to assess AgNP behaviour in the recharge zone of groundwater systems following unintentional release at point and diffuse sources and (ii) to assess the influence of the mineralogical, bulk compositional and grain size attributes of soil/sub-soil/sand-gravel aquifers as well as their hydrogeological characteristics (e.g. permeability) on the transport and/or agglomeration behaviour of AgNPs based on laboratory and field studies. Field sites where releases of AgNPs are likely (e.g. percolation areas waste water treatment systems) will be studied to quantify the nanoparticle fluxes. Materials from these sites (e.g. sub-soils) will then be utilised to further constrain the likely influence of physicochemical variables (e.g. redox state, pH, water ionic strength) on nanoparticle behaviour in the undersaturated zone. Expertise in state-of-the-art time resolved inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass-spectrometry for single nanoparticle detection is required. Please include 3 academic referees with your application. Salary Scale: €34,975 - €42,181 per annum Appointment on the above range will be dependent on qualifications and experience Closing date: 17.00hrs (GMT) on Friday 9th February 2018. Further information about the position can be found in a detailed Job Description document on the UCD web page http://www.ucd.ie/hr/jobvacancies/ under ‘Job Vacancies for External Applicants’. All applications must be made through the UCD Online Job Application System http://www.ucd.ie/hr/jobvacancies/ Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Irish Local Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.
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