About the Project
Background
NaToxAq is a multidisciplinary European Training Network (ETN) funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 722493 and comprises 21 leading universities, research institutions/agencies, and water enterprises in 7 European countries, which aim to expand insight on natural toxin identity, analysis, fate, dissipation, removal during water treatment, health effects, and risk assessment under the impact of climate change, to ensure safe and healthy waters for European consumers. Further information on the NaToxAq project and consortium partners can be found at: www.natoxaq.eu.
Predicting the contribution of natural toxins to chemical mixtures in drinking water sources (ESR 15)
Many plants and fungi (uncultivated and cropped) produce natural toxins that have the potential to leach to drinking water sources. Whilst the environmental fate and the impact of xenobiotics in the environment have been widely researched, there is very little knowledge on the fate of natural toxins, particularly in relation to potential risks to drinking water. A variety of intrinsically toxic chemicals can exist within water catchments at any one time. The aim of this work is to establish the contribution of natural toxins to this chemical mixture.
The study will utilise GIS to map crop and natural plant cover (e.g. bracken) in relation to factors such as soil, slope, climate and water bodies. The impact of external factors such as climate change, government policy and market prices on crop type/land cover will be examined to predict a range of future land use scenarios under different circumstances. The findings will be combined with data on the environmental fate of natural toxins (obtained from the wider NaToxAq project) to assess the likely natural toxin load under different scenarios and hence options for minimising risk can be proposed.
Applicants must hold a degree in environmental sciences or a related field that meets the entry requirements for postgraduate study listed at: http://www.york.ac.uk/study/international/your-country/. Preference may be given to applicants with a Masters qualification or equivalent workplace experience. Fluency in English (working language) is required. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they meet the Postgraduate Language requirements for the Environment Department listed at: http://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/international/english-2016-17/
Duration and place of employment
The period of appointment for the Early-Stage Researcher (ESR) is 36 months, starting 1st April 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter. The ESR will be based at Fera Science Ltd, Sand Hutton, York but they will be enrolled at the Environment Department, University of York, UK under the supervision of Prof. Colin Brown. A secondment is planned for 1 month at HOFOR (Greater Copenhagen Utility) and the ESR will work closely with Yorkshire Water. Attendance of annual training courses over a 1-2 week period at host organisations within the NaToxAq network is also expected.
Fellows will receive a contract of employment as a full-time researcher for the relevant period of their appointment, which will include applicable benefits in the host country. All fellows will complete a comprehensive personalised career development programme, with targeted training measures and participate in a range of network events. Fellows will benefit from interdisciplinary cooperation and interaction within the network, providing them with the best preparation for a successful career in either academia or industry.
Marie Curie Fellowships for Early-Stage Researchers provide salaries in line with H2020-MSCA-ITN-2015. Additional allowances for mobility, travel and career development are also provided.
Please indicate in your application whether you have applied for other NaToxAq PhD fellowships and if so which one, providing a synopsis (abstract) of the BSc and MSc thesis if applicable, or any previous research project
Applications must be completed in English via the University of York online application system. Details of entry requirements and the information required to make an application can be found at: http://www.york.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/instructions/
Please also indicate in your application whether you have applied for other NaToxAq PhD fellowships and if so which one, and provide a synopsis (abstract) of the BSc and MSc thesis if applicable, or any previous research project
When making your online application, use “Environmental Science” as the initial search keyword, ensure that you select PhD in Environmental Science within the Environment Department, specify Prof Colin Brown as main supervisor and specify the project title as "Natural toxins and drinking water quality - from source to tap”. For any queries relating to this position, please contact [Email Address Removed]
Further information and the full terms and conditions regarding eligibility are provided at http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/about-msca/actions/itn/index_en.htm
Funding Notes
Applicants must have no PhD and less than 4 years full-time equivalent research experience from the award of the degree which entitles them to undertake a doctorate. Applicants can be any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work or studies) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the starting date of the fellowship. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
Applications must be completed in English.
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