The Radiation Research Division at Risø DTU is seeking a PhD student.
The project
The project aims to establish analytical methods for chemical-speciation analysis of the long-lived radionuclide 99 Tc and investigate its environmental and geological behaviour. The behaviour of radio nuclides in the environment, their bioavailability and toxicity are determined mainly by their physico-chemical forms, i.e. speciation, and to a lesser extent by their gross concentrations. 99 Tc , the only technetium isotope that occurs in significant quantities in the environment, is produced in nuclear reactors, and has been released to the environment particularly from reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. The chemical valences of technetium range from -1 to +7, but in aqueous solution, the oxidation states +4 (TcO2) and +7 (TcO4-) predominate. In an oxidizing environment, the lower oxidation states are converted to the highly soluble pertechnetate TcO4, while in reducing conditions, pertechnetate is transformed into particle reactive (or insoluble) TcO2.
The study of the behaviour of 99 Tc in the environment requires reliable analytical methods for the chemical speciation of 99 Tc in various samples, such as seawater, plants and sediment. Technetium has no stable isotope and occurs in the environment at very low concentrations, which makes the investigation of its chemical speciation and environment behaviour difficult. Rhenium has chemical properties similar to those of technetium, but rhenium is more abundant in the environment than technetium. Therefore, Re can be used as a chemical analogue of 99 Tc in the environment. Thus, information on chemical speciation of environmental Re is useful for the project.
Qualifications
Master degree in radiochemistry, analytical chemistry or a similar degree
The candidate is expected to have a good background in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, radiochemistry and nuclear-measurement techniques
It is an advantage if the candidate is familiar with flow/injection analysis
ICP-MS and analytical apparatus design
We offer
We offer an exciting and challenging job in an international environment with good possibilities for professional and personal development. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world. The successful candidate will become a member of an environment with activities and expertise in inorganic chemistry, environmental radioactivity and radiation research, and participate in ongoing projects and international collaboration.
Terms of employment
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The PhD stipend has a fixed duration of 3 years starting 1 September 2009. The employment will take place at Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy in Roskilde.
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. Information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, which may be obtained by application to the PhD programme office at tel: +45 45 25 11 76 or +45 45 25 11 77.
Application
We must have your online application by 3 July 2009. Please open the link "apply online" and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and documentation of MSc and BSc/BEng-degrees, list of grades of your MSc- and BSc/BEng-education, and any other relevant documents. In case of a non-Danish degree please inform about highest grade and lowest passing grade of the grading system.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are requested to apply.
Further information
If you have further questions regarding the position, you are welcome to contact Senior Scientist Xiaolin Hou (+45 4677 5357/ xiho@risoe.dtu.dk), Programme leader, Senior Scientist, Sven P. Nielsen (+45 4677 5340/spni@risoe.dtu.dk) or Senior Scientist, Per Roos (+45 4677 5319 / roos@risoe.dtu.dk).
Online Application:
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