About this position
About the project
Many lakes are affected by eutrophication and long-term pollution, with sediments acting as an important internal source of nutrients and contaminants. Sediment removal (dredging) is increasingly being used as a lake restoration measure to reduce internal nutrient loading and improve water quality. However, dredged sediments often contain contaminants such as heavy metals and PFAS, which can limit their safe reuse and instead lead to costly disposal.
At the same time, these sediments contain valuable nutrients and organic matter that could potentially be recovered and reused in agriculture. This project therefore aims to develop a phytoremediation approach using e.g., hemp ( Cannabis sativa ) or other relevant plants to reduce contaminant risks. The ultimate goal is to enable the safe reuse of dredged lake sediments as fertilizer and soil improver.
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will investigate how phytoremediation can be used to remove, immobilize, or transform contaminants in sediment and how these processes affect the environmental fate and agricultural safety of the treated material.
Your role
You will design and conduct experiments to investigate the interactions between lake sediments, contaminants, and hemp plants. The work will include controlled plant-growth experiments on agricultural fields and in the laboratory, sediment and plant sampling, chemical analysis, and assessment of contaminant fate and transformation.
Key research activities will include:
- Designing and conducting experiments to grow e.g., hemp under controlled experimental conditions using contaminated lake sediments
- Sampling and analysing different plant parts and sediments over time
- Investigating the uptake, translocation, accumulation, degradation, and removal of heavy metals and PFAS
- Evaluating how phytoremediation affects the chemical properties and agricultural suitability of lake sediments
- Contributing to the development of guidelines and scientifically based criteria for the safe reuse of treated lake sediments as fertilizers or soil improvers
- Publishing results in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at scientific conferences
The project will involve collaboration across environmental chemistry, plant science, soil science, and sustainable nutrient management, in close collaboration with companies and farmers, providing an opportunity to work in a highly transdisciplinary research environment.
Candidate profile
We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-driven and ambitious researcher with a PhD in environmental science, environmental chemistry, plant science, soil science, agronomy, biotechnology, or a related field. The candidate should be able to work independently and to communicate fluently in English, have good writing skills as well as possess good interpersonal skills.
We particularly welcome candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Plant cultivation and controlled plant-growth experiments
- Phytoremediation or plant–soil interactions
- Collection and preparation of plant and environmental samples
- PFAS analysis and data interpretation
- PFAS degradation, transformation, transport, and fate in the environment
- Sediment or soil remediation and contaminant risk assessment
Experience with hemp cultivation is an advantage but is not essential. More important is a strong interest in using plants to address environmental contamination and resource-recovery challenges
Driving license (category B) is a must
You should have a demonstrated ability to independently plan and conduct scientific experiments, analyse and interpret complex datasets, and communicate research findings through scientific publications and presentations.
What we offer
This is a three-year postdoctoral position offering the opportunity to develop an independent research profile within an interdisciplinary project addressing an important environmental and agricultural challenge.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Develop expertise in phytoremediation and contaminant fate
- Work at the interface of environmental chemistry, plant science, and circular nutrient management
- Develop and apply advanced analytical approaches for analysis of heavy metals and PFAS
- Collaborate with researchers from complementary scientific disciplines as well as non-academic stakeholders
- Publish your research in international peer-reviewed journals
- Contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for lake restoration and agricultural resource recovery
Application deadline: 25. October 2026 at 23:59 hours local Danish time
Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk
Funding
Competitive
How to apply
- Read the full advert on the source site — it carries the authoritative terms.
- Prepare your SOP, CV, transcripts and referees before the deadline.
- Apply through the university's own portal. Never pay a fee to a third party.