Technical University of Darmstadt - Institute for applied geosciences, Aquatic Geochemistry group

TU Darmstadt stands for excellent and relevant science. We are playing a decisive role in shaping far-reaching processes of global change—from energy transition to artificial intelligence—through outstanding scientific knowledge and innovative academic programmes. We group our cutting-edge research into three fields: Energy and Environment, Information and Intelligence, Matter and Materials. We are a university with strong ties to the Frankfurt Rhine-Main metropolitan region and a very strong international focus. We are committed to European values and European integration.

The Aquatic Geochemistry (AG) Group is a recently established research group at the Institute of Applied Geosciences at TU Darmstadt. The group studies biogeochemical and transport processes in aquatic environments, with key focus on the subsurface and particularly on shallow groundwater systems. We perform both experimental and modeling investigations to study flow and reactive transport processes in porous media at different scales. One of the key research areas of the AG group is the investigation of electrokinetic (EK) transport processes in porous media induced by the application of electric fields in the subsurface. This area of research encompasses exciting scientific questions and fundamental understanding, as well as innovative applications in different fields such as remediation of contaminated sites and sustainable recovery of valuable metals and rare earth elements in subsurface environments.

Homepage: https://www.geo.tu-darmstadt.de/aquaticgeochemistry/

The position is within the project "EK-Target", which was selected as a LOEWE-Exploration project (LOEWE-Exploration | wissenschaft.hessen.de) and is a scientific collaboration between the Aquatic Geochemistry and the Water and Environmental Biotechnology groups at TU Darmstadt. The project should start as soon as possible and will focus on the investigation of bacteria transport in porous media, including (i) characterization and modification of the surface charge of bacteria cells, (ii) test the efficiency of targeted delivery of bacteria in granular porous bed using electrokinetics.

Your tasks:

• Develop experimental setups to investigate biological and transport processes
• Characterize the surface charge of bacterial cells and perform experiments to modify the surface charge with ions, surfactants and nanoparticles
• Investigate the feedbacks between pore water chemistry and bacterial surface properties
• Explore mobility of bacteria under the application of external electric fields
• Perform experiments in multidimensional porous media setup to demonstrate and test Ek-enhanced mobility of bacteria
• Write high-quality publications in top-tier journals
• Present research outcomes at national and international conferences
• Support teaching activities in the AG group and co-supervise master/bachelor theses

Desired profile:

• A PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Biology or Biotechnology, Environmental or Surface Chemistry, Environmental Engineering or similar disciplines with an excellent track record
• Documented capabilities and previous expertise in the experimental study of environmental microbial processes, surface chemistry processes, and/or electrokinetic processes
• Previous experience in bacteria cultivation and handling of pure microbial strains
• Expertise in characterization techniques such as zeta-potential measurements, PCR, growth kinetics quantification
• An ambitious and creative mindset and a strong passion for multidisciplinary research
• Capability to work independently and collaboratively
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Documented experience in academic research and article writing for recognized scientific journals

Applications via TU Darmstadt portal here: Apply here

If you have any questions about this position, please contact Prof. Dr. Massimo Rolle on +49 6151 16 23577