Thesis

Equal opportunities

are an integral part of our personnel policy; we therefore particularly welcome applications from qualified women. Severely disabled persons are given priority where applicants are equally qualified.

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:

Dr. Ivonne Nijenhuis (ivonne.nijenhuis@ufz.de)
Dr. Axel Horst (axel.horst@ufz.de)

Closing date for applications:

31.05.2019

Place of work:

Leipzig
Please use our online application system for your application.

More information about jobs at the UFZ:
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ
Permoserstraße 15
04318 Leipzig, Germany
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

Compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) is a powerful approach to assess the origin and (bio)degradation of organic contaminants at contaminated field sites. For example, multi-element stable isotope analysis of chlorinated ethenes, chloromethanes and BTEX is now a routine tool to characterize the degradation pathways and quantify biodegradation of point pollutions in contaminated groundwater. However, relatively high amounts of compound are needed for a reliable analysis, specifically for hydrogen, thus, analysis is challenging when contaminants are present at low concentration, e.g. when present as diffuse contamination and at fringes of contaminant plumes.

Aim of this MSc thesis topic in the department Isotope Biogeochemistry is to develop protocols and test approaches allowing multi-element CSIA of halogenated organic contaminants at low concentrations. For this, different extraction, clean-up and analysis protocols will be tested and compared to traditional headspace and liquid-extraction approaches. Finally, the optimised protocols will be applied on environmental samples.

The department of Isotope Biogeochemistry is offering at the earliest possible date a

Master thesis "Compound-specific stable isotope analysis of halogenated groundwater contaminants to assess their origin and fate"

To apply, please submit your CV and motivation letter. According to university requirements, the project can take 6 to 9 months.

Your tasks:

• Literature research on state-of-the-art extraction methods and sample preparation protocols
• Development and testing of sample preparation protocols for CSIA
• Analysis of prepared samples using gas chromatography including GC-IRMS and GC-MC-ICP-MS
• Testing of optimized protocols on environmental samples

Your profile:

• Enrollment at a University program in environmental science, geoecology, analytical chemistry or similar
• Highly motivated, independent and possesses good communication skills incl in English
• General understanding of contaminant (bio)degradation and analytical methods (GC)

We offer:

• A close and good care
• Exciting insights into the work of a leading institute

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