Phytoplankton ecosystem engineers sediment transport in coastal waters through flocculation - STICKY

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Update day: 25-11-2025

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Phytoplankton ecosystem engineers sediment transport in coastal waters through flocculation - STICKY

(ref. BAP-2024-32)
Laatst aangepast: 22/01/24
Within the department of Biology and the department of Civil Engineering at KU Leuven, we are looking for highly motivated candidates to take up PhD positions focusing on the role of phytoplankton on the coastal light climate and sediment transport through formation of flocs. The PhD positions offer a scholarship for 4 years. This is a collaborative research project between the department of Civil Engineering, division Hydraulics and Geotechnics and the department of Biology Campus Kulak Kortrijk. The candidates will work in close collaboration with each other, and will benefit from links with other ongoing research projects on complementary topics.

Project

Coastal waters, influenced by currents and waves, typically contain high concentrations of suspended sediments and are therefore turbid. This turbidity limits the primary production of phytoplankton. Yet, there is mounting evidence that phytoplankton produces organic matter that causes increased flocculation of suspended sediments, which in turn results in a reduction in turbidity and enhancement of primary production. By doing so phytoplankton can engineer its environment to its own benefit. Through inducing flocculation of suspended sediments, phytoplankton also modifies transport of sediments in coastal waters, with potentially important implications for processes such as erosion and deposition of sediments.

Profiel

We are looking for two PhD students who will work closely together.


PhD.1 (4 years), should have a background in biology or bioengineering, with an interest in marine ecology. The PhD student will carry out laboratory experiments at Campus Kulak Kortrijk to investigate the influence of turbulence and phytoplankton on sediment flocculation. The PhD student will also study phytoplankton populations and the underwater light climate at a study site in the Belgian coastal zone of the North Sea. The research involves microscopical analysis of phytoplankton samples, cultivation of phytoplankton in the laboratory, experiments with phytoplankton and sediments in the lab and field measurements during ship cruises in the North Sea.


PhD.2 (4 years), should have a background in hydraulics, environmental engineering or a closely related field with a keen interest in coastal sediment transport. The PhD student will focus on the physical characteristics of suspended particle flocculation, governed by hydrodynamics, sediment properties and biogeochemistry at Campus Leuven (Arenberg). The student will setup flume experiments which mimic hydrodynamic conditions in the field (i.e. shear rate) and establish protocols to measure dynamic flocculation processes using in-situ laser diffraction and particle image velocity. Flocculation processes in the field will be quantified during ship campaigns in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Understanding gathered during flume experiments and field campaigns will be used to improve flocculation predictions on flume- (e.g. openFOAM) and coastal scale sediment transport models (e.g. TELEMAC).

Aanbod

The candidate will start with a 1-year contract that is extendable to 4 years. Funding is available starting immediately and for a full PhD (4 years), but the candidates are encouraged to apply for a personal PhD fellowship at FWO. The candidate should have obtained excellent results in his/her bachelor and master training. Proficiency in English is required. During the PhD, the candidate is expected to contribute to teaching assignments (e.g. practical supervision) and supervision of bachelor and master thesis students. The candidate should be prepared to take up responsibilities with respect to management of the research laboratories.

Applications for this position can be submitted between the 22th of January 2024 and the 16th of February 2024, we solicit applications from both PhDs (position 1 and 2). Candidates should be fluent in English, have a background in biology or bioengineering (PhD.1), and/or hydraulics, numerical modeling and geomorphology (PhD.2). Due to the interdisciplinarity of the project, both candidates should be highly motivated to combine both field campaigns with lab experiments and modelling. The expected starting data is as soon as possible.

Interesse

Interested candidates should send a CV and motivation letter (pdf) before 16th of February 2024using the KU Leuven submission tool. Please indicate for which PhD position(PhD.1 or PhD.2 you are applying.

Feel free to contact us for specific questions prior to submitting your application: christian.schwarz@kuleuven.be, koenraad.muylaert@kuleuven.be

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Christian Schwarz, tel.: +32 16 32 64 27, mail: christian.schwarz@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Koenraad Muylaert, tel.: +32 56 24 62 83, mail: koenraad.muylaert@kuleuven.be.

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
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Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be


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Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds
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Locatie : Leuven
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Solliciteren tot en met: 16/02/2024
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Tags: Biologie, Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen, Burgerlijke Bouwkunde, Aard- en Omgevingswetenschappen, Ingenieurswetenschappen, Biologie, Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen, Burgerlijke Bouwkunde, Aard- en Omgevingswetenschappen, Ingenieurswetenschappen, Ingenieurswetenschappen
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Deadline: 09-01-2026

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