PhD: Biofiltration for removal of micropollutants from concentrated streams

Are you interested in working on circular water systems? Do you want to better understand nature-based technologies for the removal of micropollutants and PFAS from concentrated streams? Join our research consortium!

The Department of Environmental Technology of Wageningen University & Research is looking for a PhD candidate within the research consortium BlueVantage. BlueVantage is a large research program with scientific and societal partners that aims to tackle growing water challenges by finding new ways to reuse water safely and sustainably. To that end, BlueVantage explores new treatment technologies to remove persistent organic micropollutants and recover valuable resources from water, thereby ensuring a clean water cycle for economy, ecology and society. The research in BlueVantage is divided over different thematic work packages in which a number of PhDs, their supervisors and societal partners together work on the ambitions of BlueVantage.

This PhD-position will be performed in a work package focussed on removing organic micropollutants and PFAS in the context of drinking water production. The work in this work package will be performed in collaboration with 2 other PhD-candidates, drinking water companies and technology developers. You will study the use of biofiltration systems for the removal of organic micropollutants and PFAS from concentrated streams, which are produced by novel membranes developed by a colleague PhD-candidate. Specifically, your duties and responsibilities include 

• obtain fundamental insights in the roles of biodegradation and sorption of organic micropollutants and PFAS in biofiltration systems treating concentrated streams using laboratory experiments;
• analyze the composition of concentrated streams using LC-MS/MS and HRMS to identify organic micropollutants, PFAS, and their transformation products and advanced methods to characterize dissolved organic carbon composition;
• develop a predictive model to describe sorption and biodegradation of organic micropollutants and PFAS in biofiltration systems;
• take part in BlueVantage activities, such as consortium meetings, workshops, stakeholder interaction and courses;
• pro-actively communicate your research findings with partners within and outside of the BlueVantage consortium;
• publish your research in peer-reviewed journals and present your research at (inter)national conferences.

You will work here

The research is embedded within the Department of Environmental Technology (www.ete.wur.nl), where you will be member of the ‘Micropollutants & Pathogens team, which is led by Dr. Nora Sutton. You will be co-supervised by Dr. Jouke Dykstra, Dr. Thomas Wagner and Dr. Nora Sutton.

You are a pro-active communicator who enjoys working together with people from different backgrounds and organization on fundamental research questions. You are well capable to switch from fundamental scientific discussions with scientific peers to formulating the relevance of your research within the broader scope of water reuse. You have obtained experience with performing laboratory experiment to determine the fate of pollutants in aquatic systems, for instance during your MSc-thesis or internship. You enjoy learning and developing new laboratory techniques and protocols.

You also possess: 

• a successfully completed MSc degree in environmental sciences, water technology, biotechnology or related field;
• the availability to start your PhD at September 1st, 2026;
• demonstratable experience with the analysis of organic micropollutants/PFAS and/or molecular analyses;
• demonstratable experience with physical-chemical modeling.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The gross salary for the first year is € 3.059,- per month rising to € 3.881,-  in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well. 

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

You will work on the greenest and most innovative campus in the Netherlands, in an international and open working environment. 

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. 

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account, dual career programs or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact Dr Jouke Dykstra, via email: jouke.dykstra@wur.nl. 
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Evelien Janssen, Corporate Recruiter, via email: evelien.janssen@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

To apply, please send the following documents (max. 3 pages in total for both documents):

• complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae;
• motivation letter.

The maximum length of the documents must not exceed 3 pages. If it exceeds, applications will not be considered. Additional files such as grades and transcripts are not required during this stage and will not be considered.

You can apply up to and including 25 May 2026. 

Additional information form
For this position, you must fill in a mandatory form which will allow us to have a comprehensive view of your qualifications and better assess your fit for it. You can access the form using the link below:

https://forms.office.com/e/DRJV29G0Xd

Your prompt response will ensure that your application continues to move forward in the evaluation process. We assure you that the information provided will be kept confidential and used solely for this application process.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

​