The Biosphere Impact Studies unit of the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CEN, a leading European group in the field or Radioecology, announces the availability of research funding for the following 4-year PhD positions in the field of terrestrial and aquatic radioecology.
Application deadline: 24 March 2017
1. Field and modelling studies on the transfer of radionuclides to vegetation in the NORM-contaminated Tessenderlo site
This PhD topic will study the cycling by forest vegetation of naturally-occurring radionuclides (NORM) at a waste landfill site 'Kepkensberg' located at Tessenderlo in the Eastern part of Belgium.
2. Landscape-evolution modelling of the Nete basin: using reconstructions and climatic scenarios to predict future evolution
The general aim of this PhD proposal is to provide a scientific basis for possible future biosphere changes in the Nete basin that can be used to evaluate the possible dose implications on humans and environment. The specific objective of this PhD proposal is to simulate the landscape evolution of the region of interest for the next 100 Ky.
3. Linking naturally occurring radionuclide mobility and soil-to-plant transfer with soil characteristics in order to reduce uncertainties related to environmental impact assessments
The overall objective of this research is gaining a better understanding of the geochemical behaviour of NORs in a wide range of soils (collected from Belgium and across Europe) and their uptake by typical crops in the temperate environment.
4. Unravelling uranium uptake mechanisms in Arabidopsis thaliana
The objective of this work is to study possible pathways by which U is taken up into and translocated within plants.
Details on each project can be obtained from the web links above. Further specifics about candidate requirements, timing and procedure to apply can be found in the dedicated SCK•CEN Academy website:
http://academy.sckcen.be/en/Your_thesis_internship/PhD_thesis