PhD Position in Geography

Project Overview

The Faculty of Geosciences is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a background in water resources management, water quality, environmental sciences, water technology or other appropriate fields. You will work on the project “Influence of wastewater discharge permits on future water quality and water treatment” as part of the BlueVantage project, a large project financed by NWO.

Your Job

With climate change, rising demand, and pollution threatening water supplies, the BlueVantage project brings the water sector together to develop technical and governance solutions, thereby ensuring a clean water cycle for industry, ecology, and society. By working closely with water companies, innovations are tested in real-life situations.

At present, large challenges exist in meeting the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) water quality goals due to high pollutant emissions. Industrial emissions are authorized by the water manager, but water treatment at the plant is often not optimized for removal of chemical pollutants. This can lead to serious emissions of chemical pollutants to surface water and indirectly to groundwater, thus standing in the way of meeting the WFD targets and causing problems for water re-use.

In this PhD project we aim to determine and predict the influence of industrial discharge permits on the water quality in the Netherlands. In addition, we will test the efficiency of nature-based treatment solutions in the urban context for industrial wastewater treatment. By better understanding the relationship between industrial discharge permits and (urban) water quality, this project aims to contribute to the development of guidance for the permitting authorities for including (nature-based) treatment in the permitting process.

Four Main Steps

1. An inventory will be made of current industrial discharge permits coupled to modelled and measured water quality data in the Rhine-Meuse rivers and regional water systems in the Netherlands
2. Model and measure the chemical composition and toxicity of industrial effluents
3. Provide insight into the potential of nature-based treatment technologies for industrial discharges in the urbanized context
4. Model water quality under different permitting scenarios

Training & Teaching Component

A personalised training programme will be set up, reflecting your training needs and career objectives, in the context of the UU Graduate School of Geosciences.

• About 20% of your time is dedicated to training
• Includes 10% teaching assistance in Bachelor and Master programmes
• Focus on professional development within the department

Your Profile

We welcome a motivated team-player who recognizes themselves in the following profile:

Required:

• MSc degree in environmental sciences, water resources management, water quality, hydrology, water technology, or related discipline (e.g. biology, chemistry) by start date
• Interest in interdisciplinary research across water quality, hydrology, technology, and governance
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g. spatial data analysis, modelling, AI methods, agent-based modelling)
• Programming experience (e.g. Python, R)
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Excellent English language skills

Advantageous:

• Practical experience with lab or field research
• Motivation to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Strong social skills

What We Offer

• PhD position (1.0 FTE) for 1 year + extension to 4 years upon positive evaluation
• Monthly salary: €3,059 – €3,881 (scale P, CAO NU)
• 8% holiday pay + 8.3% year-end bonus
• Pension scheme and parental leave options
• Flexible employment conditions and professional development opportunities
• Sports and cultural activity benefits

About Utrecht University & Faculty

Utrecht University focuses on major societal themes including sustainability and life sciences. The Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth from core to surface and human interaction with it, with strong focus on sustainability and innovation.

The faculty includes:

• Earth Sciences
• Human Geography & Spatial Planning
• Physical Geography
• Sustainable Development

Contact

Prof. Dr. Michelle van Vliet
Email: m.t.h.vanvliet@uu.nl

Application Process

Apply online via Utrecht University system (email applications not accepted). Required documents:

• CV (including relevant courses)
• Academic credentials (degree certificates and transcripts)
• Motivation letter

Interviews: 13–15 July

Additional notes:

• International diploma holders may need to submit full degree documentation
• Visa/work permit processing may take ~4 months
• Housing in Utrecht is the applicant’s responsibility

Important Dates

Application deadline: 21 June 2026