Openings

PostDoc Positions

Post-doc position (24 months): Study of nanoplastics in the environment and characterization of their degradation products

We are searching for a postdoc to study the fate of nanoplastics in the environment. The overarching goal is to study the degradation of nanoplastic under environmental-like conditions and to investigate the changes on particles and the degradation products released in liquid and gas phase. The experimental activities will involve several techniques, such as advanced high-resolution mass spectrometers (e.g. Orbitrap) and spectroscopic techniques. A statistical analysis approach of the mass spectrometry data on the degradation products of plastics will be carried out to develop a library of markers and fingerprints for plastics pollution. The project foreseen also the development of a method to sample and analyse nanoplastics in environmental samples (natural waters and air).

These activities will take place in the frame of the ERC-StG project NaPuE and the researcher will work at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Turin in Italy. The starting date is 1st of March 2023, but it could be postponed if needed.

The University of Turin is one of the most ancient and prestigious Italian Universities. It is today one of the largest Italian Universities, open to international research and training. It carries out scientific research and organizes courses in all disciplines (except for Engineering and Architecture). Hosting almost 80.000 students (a.y. 2021-2022) and with 120 buildings in different areas in Turin and in key places in Piedmont.

Turin is a lively, people-oriented city and boasts a wide variety of cultural resources: historic buildings, world-class museums and galleries, as well as numerous exhibitions and fairs. The city’s parks and 2 rivers together with the nearby mountains and lakes provide a great leisure environment.

Contact info: monica.passananti@unito.it, monica.passananti@helsinki.fi

Post-doc position (24 months): Photochemical processes in sunlit surface waters, and their connections with climate change

At the Department of Chemistry of the University of Turin, we are searching for a post-doc to study photochemical reactions that take in surface waters and are involved in the photodegradation of pollutants. The goal is to address both the features of the reactions that take place in the natural environment, and their effects on the transformation of contaminants of emerging concern, by both direct and indirect photolysis.

The work involves both laboratory experiments and photochemical modeling. Irradiation experiments under suitable lamps will be coupled with reaction monitoring by liquid chromatography, with an aim to derive photoreaction parameters such as reaction rate constants and photolysis quantum yields. Additional experiments will study the formation of by-products. Modeling will address phototransformation kinetics of the studied contaminants in the natural environment, with an interest in regional scenarios (whenever data of water

chemistry are available) and a perspective look at the possible impacts on climate change on water chemistry, hydrology and, as a consequence, photochemical reactions.

The candidate should be fluent in English and have communication, organization, and interpersonal skills. Applicants should have a background in environmental science and/or analytical chemistry. The described activities will take place in the framework of the Next Generation EU funds scheme (PNRR), and the post-doc will work at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Turin in Italy. The first useful starting date is 1st of March 2023, but it could be postponed if needed.

The University of Turin is one of the most ancient and prestigious Italian Universities. It is today one of the largest Italian Universities, open to international research and training. It carries out scientific research and organizes courses in all disciplines (except for Engineering and Architecture). It hosts almost 80.000 students (academic year 2021-2022) and has 120 buildings in different areas in Turin and in key places in Piedmont. Turin is a lively, people-oriented city and boasts a wide variety of cultural resources: historic buildings, world-class museums and galleries, as well as numerous exhibitions and fairs. The city’s parks and 2 rivers together with the nearby mountains and lakes provide a great leisure environment.

Contact info: davide.vione@unito.it

PhD Positions

CEA Group has no PhD opening at this moment.

Scholarship

CEA Group has no scholarship opening at this moment.